What’s the difference between a sustainability consultant and a sustainability programme?
When it comes to sustainability, starting a company and life in general one of the most common questions we all get asked is “so what do you actually do”?
Other than mountain biking with my dog Ollie, reading a heap of incredible books (another blog on this coming soon) and trying my hardest to save the planet, I’m a sustainability consultant.
Okay okay, that doesn’t really answer the question! Well, everyone may answer this slightly differently but at Third Era, sustainability consulting means two things.
First - we offer our 1:1 sustainability consulting services. This is your run of the mill, standard consulting practice. You tell me what you’d like, I charge you an hourly rate and we get the job done!
This approach is the most comfortable for businesses, and has a huge amount of merits. But we noticed a couple of gaps with the method. Mainly your traditional consulting style of working, focuses largely on output. E.g. design us a strategy, complete our sustainability report, calculate our GHG emissions. And although each of these tasks are incredibly important in any modern sustainability practice, what is often missing is the link between strategy and implementation. I’ve seen many sustainability documents get published on websites, popped in the policy draw, only to be looked at again a year later with no change being made.
In the decade of action, at Third Era we decided this wasn’t enough. So we looked to design an alternative approach to sustainability. One that is grounded in action, mindset and building culture and momentum for sustainable change.
With that ethos in mind, came the birth of Third Era’s Signature Sustainable Business Accelerator Programme.
The programme contains x5 modules, and runs over 18 weeks. It is a virtual transformation experience for businesses who want to become leaders in sustainability. By the end of the programme your company will have built the foundations for sustainability at your organisation and more importantly support you to take immediate action, whilst leaving your staff with the culture and momentum for sustainable change.
In the words of one of my clients:
“We just had such a wholesome, meaningful and even emotional team meeting and it was probably the most exciting team meeting we’ve had”
Sound intriguing? But still a little nervous?
We agree - this style of working with a consultant can be new and daunting. However, it will work for you if:
🌿 Are sick of wasting time talking and meeting about sustainability and want to shift into tangible sustainable action.
🍃Don't yet have the budget for a full time Sustainability FTE, but want the full package of a sustainability staff member.
🌱 Are committed to making sustainable change in your business and are willing to let your staff deep dive into sustainable action.
Both styles of consulting are valuable in their own ways, but if you are just starting your sustainability journey or are missing that ‘X’ factor in your current practices, we encourage you to jump into our Sustainable Business Accelerator programme.
To find out more about the programme or to see which style will work best for your company - get in touch today.
