Environmental consultancy is a relatively recent field, developed as an industry by the mid-1990s, when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created a regulatory committee to help the agency to create a more scientific approach to regulating environmental practices. The committee was composed of professionals from several industries who were experts on the subject. In other words, environmental consulting is a form of “accountability” consulting, where the consultant oversees the implementation of environmental laws.
In fact, many environmental law firms and consultants now focus solely on environmental compliance consulting for businesses, because of the vast need for this type of consulting. But, if you don’t think that environmental consulting is important, consider what it would cost a company or business, and compare that with the benefits of environmental compliance consulting:
Companies who make their living from producing goods or services for others must comply with federal and state regulations about their products and services, and these regulations can be extremely burdensome. The average company spends well over three hundred million dollars a year on compliance costs alone, with an additional six or seven billion dollars in lost profits as a result.
When a business implements a Green strategy, it can enjoy substantial tax benefits, along with a reduction in operational expenses and a decrease in toxic emissions. This not only results in a company that is more profitable, but it also improves its public image.
As an environmental consultant, your job will include evaluating your company’s environmental performance, identifying potential problems, and recommending solutions to those problems. You’ll then determine how you can improve your firm’s environmental performance and develop new practices for your clients.
Many environmental consultants offer consulting services to government agencies, but some even work independently. It is important to choose a reputable environmental consulting firm. Check out the credentials of these firms, ask for references, and make sure that they have a solid record of successfully delivering environmental consulting services. An environmental consulting firm can provide an enormous amount of benefit to a company, as long as you hire one that is committed to developing environmentally sustainable practices, and that is experienced in this area.
It’s also important to consider the skills and abilities of the environmental consultant. For example, if you are a small business owner who wants to implement a Green strategy to reduce waste, but you are not experienced with the regulatory process, the best candidate for the job is someone who is knowledgeable about compliance, waste, regulations, environmental law, and regulations, and so forth.
If you are considering an environmental consultant for a business application, such as a new office, an executive suite, or an industrial space, make sure that the company has a solid reputation and that can deliver a quality service. If the environmental consultant has worked on a project similar to yours before, he or she can refer you to a good compliance consultant, which can save you both time and money.
It is important to carefully assess the environmental consultant’s experience and credentials before making a decision. There are some consultants that are less than honest when it comes to their credentials, while others are upfront about their expertise and experience. Be sure that the company you decide to hire is one that you can trust and feel comfortable working with. When you hire an environmental consultant, it is important to consider all aspects of his or her background, as well as the type of project you are looking for.
