Environmental Consulting Firms See Uptick

Environmental consulting firms are finally rebounding from the global economic slowdown, which started in 2008, according to preliminary data from Environment Analyst’s Market Trends 2014 online survey.

Key market trends survey findings, so far:

• Turnover is increasing: 67 percent of respondents reported that their firm’s environmental consultancy (EC) revenues increased in 2013, with 29 percent saying the increase was 10 percent or more. In 2014, 80 percent expect to see an increase in EC turnover. Additionally, 42 percent outperformed budget forecasts in Q1 2014.
• Teams are getting larger: More than 50 percent say their team has grown over the last year, with a further 23 percent saying their team had remained stable. And 7 percent are actively recruiting to boost staff numbers.
• Climate change and energy work leads on growth: 68 percent are reporting growth in climate change and energy — the top work area for growth — while 62 percent are seeing increases in environmental impact assessment, 58 percent in contaminated land and 53 percent in ecological consulting.
• Construction and renewable energy clients outperforming other sectors: The construction and renewable energy client sectors saw the most respondents reporting growth, with 69 percent saying so.