In this bonus episode of Rethinking EHS, President of the Inogen Alliance, Angelique Dixon, interviews Ross Griffiths, Managing Director of Environment Analyst, to explore key trends shaping the global environmental consulting and EHS (Environmental, Health & Safety) industry.
In this bonus episode of Rethinking EHS, Angelique Dixon talks with Ross Griffiths, Managing Director of Environment Analyst, to unpack the key forces shaping the global environmental consulting and EHS (Environmental, Health & Safety) sector. The conversation dives into evolving ESG trends, where the focus is moving from intent to measurable business value, as well as the rising demand for energy solutions, digital transformation, and the accelerating growth of EHS services. With insights across regions the episode highlights how environmental and EHS challenges are now core business priorities.
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Time Stamps
00:00 - Intro
00:40 - What is Environment Analyst?
02:45 - 54% Industry Growth – Why It Matters
03:35 - From Climate Momentum to Uncertainty
05:10 - ESG Isn’t Dead – It’s Evolving
06:20 - Energy Costs Are Reshaping Everything
07:15 - Why ROI Matters More Than Ever
10:05 - EHS Is the Fastest Growing Segment
19:45 - This Is a Business Problem, Not Political
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Sponsor
Rethinking EHS is brought to you by the Inogen Alliance. Inogen Alliance is a global network of 70+ companies providing environment, health, safety and sustainability services working together to provide one point of contact to guide multinational organizations to meet their global commitments locally. Visit http://www.inogenalliance.com/podcast to learn more.
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Links
https://www.Inogenalliance.com/resources
https://www.Inogenalliance.com/podcast
Angie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angeliquedickson
Ross on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rgrgriffiths/
Produced by https://www.madcontent.co.nz
Angie (00:00)
Hello, I’m Angie Dixon, President of the Inogen Alliance.
Welcome to this bonus episode of Rethinking EHS. I’m very excited to be joined today by Ross Griffiths, Managing Director of Environment Analyst.
Ross and I have spent a lot of time discussing trends, data, and what’s happening across the environmental consulting industry, so I’m really pleased to have you here. Thanks for joining me, Ross.
Ross Griffiths
Thanks, Angie — and thank you for having me. I’m really looking forward to our conversation.
Angie
And I hear this is your first podcast, so no pressure.
Let’s start with Environment Analyst. Many of our listeners will be familiar with your work, but could you give a quick overview of what you do and how you contribute to the industry?
Ross Griffiths
Absolutely.
Environment Analyst is a global market intelligence, events, and media business serving engineering, environmental, and sustainability consultancies worldwide.
We provide companies — including members of the Inogen Alliance — with market intelligence, news, insights, and networking opportunities that help them gain a strategic advantage by staying informed and well connected.
Angie
That’s incredibly valuable. In consulting, we’re always trying to understand what clients need, where they need it, and how best to deliver it — so having that level of insight is critical.
Let’s talk about the bigger picture. What historical trends have shaped the environmental consulting industry in recent years?
Ross Griffiths
It’s fair to say the sector has been on something of a rollercoaster.
Looking back over the past few years — particularly from 2022 to 2025 — we saw a broad, global alignment around climate change. There was widespread acceptance that it’s happening, and that action is needed — from transitioning energy systems to strengthening supply chains and reaching net zero.
That alignment drove strong growth in the environmental consulting sector.
Since 2025, the market has continued to grow, but there’s been a shift. There’s more uncertainty — economically, politically, and in how sustainability is discussed. In some ways, we’ve seen a return to a more transactional, shareholder-focused mindset.
Despite that, the sector has grown significantly — around 54% globally over the past five years. That reflects increased reliance on environmental and EHS consultants to solve complex challenges.
We’re also seeing environmental services becoming a larger part of multidisciplinary engineering firms — growing from around 19% to 32% of total revenues. That’s a significant structural shift.
Angie
That aligns with what we’re seeing — especially the pressure from both regulators and consumers for companies to act responsibly, regardless of terminology.
Are you seeing that same dynamic?
Ross Griffiths
Yes, absolutely.
Interestingly, while the language around ESG and sustainability is changing, the underlying demand isn’t going away. The drivers are still very much there.
What’s changing is how organisations talk about it — and how they connect it to business value, risk reduction, and performance.
Angie
So looking ahead — what are the major shifts organisations should be preparing for?
Ross Griffiths
One of the biggest is energy.
Rising and volatile energy costs are pushing organisations to reduce reliance on traditional energy markets. That’s driving interest in energy efficiency, on-site renewables, and alternative solutions like carbon capture.
Another key shift is the need to clearly demonstrate return on investment. Clients increasingly expect environmental and sustainability work to be directly tied to business outcomes.
If consultants can’t translate their work into value creation, they risk losing projects.
Digital transformation is also a major factor. AI is changing how services are delivered — but also how they’re priced and valued. It raises questions about billing models, productivity, and workforce development.
Angie
We’re definitely seeing that — especially around pricing models and client expectations.
What about ESG more broadly?
Ross Griffiths
It’s still very active — just quieter.
Some refer to it as “green hushing,” but the reality is that organisations are continuing the work. They’re just being more cautious about how they communicate it.
There’s still strong focus on core environmental risks — things like contaminated land, air quality, water, and hazardous materials. These are non-negotiable.
And importantly, EHS services are one of the fastest-growing areas in the market — with a projected compound annual growth rate of 7.4%.
By 2029, that represents an additional $3.8 billion in annual spend globally.
Angie
That’s encouraging.
And I agree — in many cases, it’s not that the work has stopped, it’s that companies are being more measured in how they talk about it.
Angie
Are you seeing differences across regions?
Ross Griffiths
Yes, definitely.
In the UK and Europe, sustainability initiatives remain a strong focus, supported by regulatory frameworks — although cost pressures are becoming a constraint.
In the US, the regulatory environment is less of a driver, but private sector demand remains strong — particularly from organisations with global operations.
In developing markets, there are also interesting dynamics.
The Middle East, for example, has significant potential but is currently impacted by geopolitical challenges.
Meanwhile, South America is emerging as a key growth region — particularly in areas like energy, infrastructure, and natural resources. Regulatory frameworks there are evolving rapidly, often aligning more closely with European standards.
Angie
Which client sectors are growing fastest globally?
Ross Griffiths
Energy and utilities are the biggest.
That includes energy generation, electricity transmission, water, and waste. By 2029, we expect environmental services supporting this sector to grow by around $7 billion annually.
This is being driven by demand for new infrastructure — including data centres, grid upgrades, and renewable energy systems.
The second fastest-growing sector is services — including food and beverage, retail, and technology.
Much of this is driven by supply chain resilience. Companies are looking to secure long-term access to resources — whether that’s energy, water, or raw materials.
Angie
Yes — and supply chain complexity is only increasing, especially when you factor in global standards and expectations.
Angie
Ross, this has been a fascinating conversation. Your insights — and the data behind them — really help us understand not just what’s happening now, but where the industry is heading.
Thank you for joining us.
Ross Griffiths
Thanks, Angie — it’s been a pleasure.
Angie
Thank you for joining us for this bonus episode of Rethinking EHS.
As we’ve discussed, the environmental consulting industry continues to evolve — shaped by changing expectations, emerging risks, and new opportunities.
What’s clear is that EHS, sustainability, and environmental expertise remain critical to helping organisations navigate complexity, build resilience, and create long-term value.
If you’d like to learn more, you can visit the Inogen Alliance website, or follow us on LinkedIn, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Thanks again for listening — and we look forward to having you join us on the next episode.