Environmental Consultants in the UK - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
London, United Kingdom
Last Updated: July 2024
SIC SP0.096Revenue
£2.3bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
£XXX.Xm
Employees
31,557
Businesses
6,881
Wages
£XXX.Xm
Environmental Consultants in the UK industry analysis
Over the five years through 2023-24, environmental consultants’ revenue is slated to dip at a compound annual rate of 0.2% to £2.3 billion. The industry recorded revenue growth before COVID-19; however, in 2020-21, revenue dropped, with clients limiting their environmental protection budgets as business confidence contracted. Across 2022-23 and 2023-24, the inflation surge and the confidence plunge shook the emphasis on green initiatives. As businesses faced pressure to slash prices, the spotlight dimmed on environment-friendly practices. The cost pressure has dipped consultant's profit, but government infrastructure is quickly picking up the slack. Confidence in the government's sustainable policies has been rocked with the scrapping of the High-Speed Rail 2’s (HS2) Northern leg and the pushback on the ban on new petrol and diesel car sales from 2030 to 2035.
Trends and Insights
- The cost-of-living crisis hampered industry growth. Rampant inflation reduced demand for consultancy services as businesses focused on essential operations and public concerns shifted from environmental issues to economic ones.
- Demand for water quality management is surging. New legal frameworks and increased construction activity drive the need for impact assessments and resource management services.
- The South East’s labour pool attracts consultants. The region’s large technology and scientific research companies encourage environmental consultants to establish operations, offering cutting-edge services.
- Competition drives innovation in the industry. As environmental consultant companies vie for market share, they develop new services and solutions to address environmental challenges.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 0.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £2.3bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Consumers rocked by economic woes loosen the pressure of environmentalism
- The COVID-19 outbreak staggered the industry's solid growth, as falling demand reduced business spending on non-essential operations, including consultancy work.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
The government's commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050 will continue to encourage demand
- The UK's net-zero emissions commitment by 2050 continues to progress despite the pushback of new diesel and petrol car sales by five years to 2035. The UK's reductions in emissions since 1990 have outpaced other G7 countries, with organisations requesting the services of environmental consultants to streamline this process.
Biggest companies in the Environmental Consultants in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (£m)
2025 |
|---|---|---|
Arcadis Consulting (UK) Ltd | 448.5 | |
AECOM Ltd | 392.1 | |
WSP UK Ltd | 173.1 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Water quality and resource management, Impact assessments and Ecological services. Water quality and resource management is the largest segment of the Environmental Consultants in the UK.
Trends and Insights
New legal framework drives demand for water quality and resource management
- The Water Services Regulation Authority protects water quality. EU Directives have influenced the majority of UK environmental legislation.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Management Consultants in the UK
- Consultant Engineering Services in the UK
Complementors
- Actuarial Consulting Services in the UK
- Waste Management Services in the UK
- Waste-to-Energy Plant Operation in the UK
- Renewable Electricity Generation in the UK
International industries
- Environmental Consulting in the US
- Remediation & Environmental Cleanup Services in the US
- Water & Air Quality Testing Services in the US
- Environmental Consulting in Canada
- Environmental Science Services in Australia
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies in this industry offer guidance to businesses and public entities on environmental concerns. They focus on managing contamination from harmful substances like pollutants, toxic substances and hazardous materials. As well as, conducting environmental impact assessments, implementing compliance frameworks, maintaining sustainable business practices, promoting energy efficiency and mitigating the risks arising from legislation changes and potential environmental hazards.
What's included in this industry?
Water quality and resource management Impact assessments Ecological services Contamination assessment and remediationClimate change and energyLegal, strategic, development and corporate managementCompanies
Arcadis Consulting (UK) LtdAECOM LtdWSP UK LtdPurchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE CRITERIAGREEN-COLLAR JOBSOFFICE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (OEP)Industry Code
SIC 70.22/9 - Environmental Consultants in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The cost-of-living crisis hampered industry growth. Rampant inflation reduced demand for consultancy services as businesses focused on essential operations and public concern...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Demand for water quality management is surging. New legal frameworks and increased construction activity drive the need for impact assessments and resource management service...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The South East’s labour pool attracts consultants. The region’s large technology and scientific research companies encourage environmental consultants to establish operations...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Competition drives innovation in the industry. As environmental consultant companies vie for market share, they develop new services and solutions to address environmental ch...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Arcadis Consulting leads in environmental consulting. Their strategic acquisitions and digital transformation efforts have expanded their offerings and boosted their presence...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Arcadis Consulting (UK) Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of AECOM Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of WSP UK Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Arcadis Consulting (UK) Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for AECOM Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for WSP UK Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The push for net-zero by 2050 boosts industry growth. The UK government's ambitious target increases demand for environmental consultants to help businesses comply with new l...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
New entrants impact environmental consultants’ profit. Profit has fluctuated slightly as new environmental consultants, which initially operate with a lower average profit ma...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2018-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2018-2022)
- Assets (2018-2022)
- Liabilities (2018-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Environmental Consultants in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?
The market size of the Environmental Consultants in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £2.3bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Environmental Consultants in the UK industry in 2024?
There are 6,881 businesses in the Environmental Consultants in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 3.4 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Environmental Consultants in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Environmental Consultants in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been declining at a CAGR of 0.2 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Environmental Consultants in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Environmental Consultants in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Environmental Consultants in the UK market in United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Environmental Consultants market in United Kingdom are Arcadis Consulting (UK) Ltd, AECOM Ltd and WSP UK Ltd
What does the Environmental Consultants in the UK in United Kingdom include?
Water quality and resource management and Impact assessments are part of the Environmental Consultants in the UK industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Environmental Consultants in the UK in United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is Arcadis Consulting (UK) Ltd.
How competitive is the Environmental Consultants in the UK industry in United Kingdom?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Environmental Consultants in the UK industry in United Kingdom.
