Hi,Which top / mid tier consulting groups have a well developed / or developing offering in this area? Mckinsey seem to operate here, but what about Bain / BCG? Are there smaller boutiques that focus on the area and blend corporate strategy with branding / operations?Thanks

Smaller boutiques specialise in this area. They will lack the brand name, but will claim that they have been involved in green consulting far longer than any brand name, thus they have the proven experience and are not new entrants.In this climate, you really have to show quick wins and benefits, gone are the days of idealistic 'thought leaders' ( unless you work at the very top). Companies was pragmatic and quick ways of becomming greener, even of it is small steps.

Anyone who is selling sustainability as corporate strategy is well behind the times - clients don't want greenwash eulogies these days, they want implementable sustainability projects that will both save them money and make them look good

Accenture is (or has recently been) building a (its) Sustainability practice in the UK which I believe is now aournd 40-60 strong. No idea how much of this is strats, but considering ACN's focus on delivery I suspect they'll be more focused on what GG refers to as "implementable sustainability projects that will both save them money and make them look good".Considering breadth and strenght of its existing relationships across industries I suspect it will be in a good position to cross sell and trounce the competition yet again.

Accenture is (or has recently been) building a (its) Sustainability practice in the UK which I believe is now aournd 40-60 strong. No idea how much of this is strats, but considering ACN's focus on delivery I suspect they'll be more focused on what GG refers to as "implementable sustainability projects that will both save them money and make them look good".Considering breadth and strenght of its existing relationships across industries I suspect it will be in a good position to cross sell and trounce the competition yet again.

You'd be better off with a specialist environmental consultancy if you're serious about sustainability. None of the strat or general consultancies really has a clue, although almost all with have a small figleaf practice supposedly covering sustainability filled with project managers who might sometimes read The Guardian on a Saturday. Obviously, if you already have experience and some hard skills, you could do well in getting into one of these firms and converting them from charlatans to something credible. But don't expect to learn much if you're more junior.Better off looking here:http://www.edie.net/http://www.ends.co.uk/

Sustainability/green or benign manufacturing is not proven to offer any real competitive advantage, so why bother combining the two. It would be better if you focus on CSR consulting.

Oh, but of course. Reducing materials usage, watage, and energy consumed in the manufacturing process has no commercial or competitive advantage. Idiot.

yeah..it does, especially if you are one of the few who is driving a fiat punto car.

The idea that none of the major strat firms do Climate Change work is b*llsh*t. Mckinsey has a large and growing Climate Change practice - doing the CBI's Climate Change Strategy, Developing the Vattenfall Cost Curve for Abatement, Leading research on the economics of solar etc etc...Do some research.

Some basic research would solve many questions.Look at ADL and their white papers and project reviews. One big project with the City of London for example.

"Mckinsey has a large and growing Climate Change practice - doing the CBI's Climate Change Strategy, Developing the Vattenfall Cost Curve for Abatement, Leading research on the economics of solar etc etc... Do some research."You might want to do some research beyond your own marketing brochure, pal.Large and growing?How many consultants?In which offices?How much revenue?How much revenue growth? Its easy to grow from base zero?How many world experts?How much global track record beyond 3 economics theory reports?Where rated in industry surveys?You do some research - Mck are way behind the top 20 UK specialist consultancies, let alone the European & global players.http://www.edie.net/ http://www.ends.co.uk/

KPMG has a well-developed global sustainability service department. As well PwC is starting to become an important player in the sustainability field.My question: Which consultancy is having a different Post COP 15 strategic approach when it comes Climate Change policies?

ATK

The leading UK players with substance are the engineering consultancies such as: ArupAtkinsBuro HappoldThey have been working with academia to define, design and impliment sustainability for the last 20 years - mostly as part of their clients infrastructure development projects or change management re-orgs. These firms now earn a good living acting as peer consultants vetting and reviewing the work of others.

There are many consultancies in this field in theory few however have real competency outside a few specialists. Sustainability strategy in the sense of business core isn't a strength of the big players beyond very small teams which are publicly inflated with other disciplines. If you are an entrant go to the ENDS Report, if you are a transfer player with sector relevant experience and sustainability competency you can pick and choose depending on your rain making skills. Environmental consultancies have been hit hard in the recession but the few strategic ones are overloaded with work and have insufficient people to complete major client challenges. However research well and look hard at the substance of the company not just the public brand - turnover of staff is a good indicator of the depth of culture and in particular the big brand's commitment to the issues on the ground. Sustainability has been a fashion for some years, team get hired and then dropped when the fees levels can't be maintained. This work is actually hard stuff to do well and clients generally don't have the money for just talk so be prepared to learn less in this niche but love getting to work in the morning. Happy to see your CV by the way!