CSR consultants : we know your customers. And their brakes.
Before talking about tools or methodology, let's talk about the field. You support general managers, CSR managers and operational teams on a daily basis. You know that behind every request there is a reality: The pressure is rising.
Your customers no longer do CSR out of conviction alone, but out of strategic necessity. By meeting experts on the subject, we make a common observation: the triggers you encounter in the field are recurrent and concrete.
- Loss of tenders due to lack of CSR evidence : on the BtoB market, specifications now include non-negotiable ESG criteria. No structured reporting = automatic elimination of tenders.
- CSR criteria imposed by contractors : major accounts require their suppliers to make measurable and traceable commitments. Your customers are subject to this cascade of requirements.
- Access to certain conditional markets : public contracts, calls for projects, sectoral labels... CSR is becoming an entry ticket, not a “nice to have”.
- Strong employer brand challenge : attracting and retaining talent requires a credible CSR approach. Candidates interview, compare, check.
- Facilitated access to finance : banks and investors are increasingly conditioning their financing on ESG criteria. No documented CSR strategy = higher cost of capital
- Regulatory Anticipation : with the CSRD, it's better to get ahead of the curve. Your customers know it: waiting for 2026 or 2027 means taking the risk of botched reporting under pressure.
You don't sell CSR “to look good.” You respond to tangible business challenges. And that's exactly what makes you valuable.
What is CSR support ? Definition and scope
CSR support refers to all consulting services aimed at integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues into a company's strategy and operations. Unlike a purely declarative approach, effective CSR support is based on a structural and measurable transformation.
The typical missions of CSR support
Your scope of intervention generally covers:
- Diagnosis and status : materiality analysis, stakeholder mapping, sectoral benchmark, identification of compliance gaps.
- Definition of CSR strategy : co-construction of a multi-year roadmap, prioritization of actions, definition of numerical commitments and management KPIs.
- Operational deployment : detailed action plans by theme (climate, diversity, governance...), implementation of internal governance, monitoring tools.
- Extra-financial reporting : collection and consolidation of ESG data, calculation of indicators (carbon footprint, diversity rate, etc.), writing CSRD, DPEF or voluntary reports.
- Training and acculturation : increasing the skills of teams, conducting awareness-raising workshops, change management.
A market in full structuring
The number of firms operating in the field of CSR now exceeds 300 actors referenced, a sign of an accelerated professionalization of the sector. This growth is accompanied by a rise in standards: more and more consulting firms now hold a CSR label or certification, proof that credibility now requires the demonstration of your own practices.
For you, experienced consultants, the challenge is no longer to justify the usefulness of CSR, but to demonstrate your ability to produce reliable, auditable deliverables, and to truly transform organizations.
Why is CSR support becoming essential ?
CSRD: regulations that change everything
The European CSRD directive (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) is the main accelerator of the market. The number of companies involved in extra-financial reporting has increased from 11,600 to nearly 50,000 at European level, with around 7,000 companies concerned in France.
The implementation schedule is gradually being spread out:
- 2025 : large listed companies already subject to the NFRD
- 2026 : large unlisted companies (more than 250 employees)
- 2027 : listed SMEs (with simplified VSME standards)
- 2028 : European subsidiaries of non-European groups
Major point of attention : the “Omnibus” proposal currently under negotiation could significantly ease obligations. 80% of companies that thought they were concerned could leave the scope of the CSRD, with deadlines being extended by two years for certain categories. But even with these relaxations, the fundamental trend remains unchanged: extra-financial transparency is becoming the norm.
Your business reality: a precarious balance between expertise and productivity
You know it better than anyone else: your added value lies in your ability to analyze, advise and challenge management. No need to spend hours in Excel consolidating data or manually reformatting reports.
The challenge of versatility: mastering all CSR topics
The expectations of your customers cover an increasingly broad scope:
- Environment : scope 1/2/3 carbon balance, life cycle analysis, biodiversity, circular economy, green taxonomy.
- Social : diversity and inclusion, human rights, quality of life at work, responsible supply chain.
- Governance : business ethics, fight against corruption, fiscal transparency, responsible lobbying.
You need to juggle between the frames of reference: GRI, ESRS, ISO 26000, B Corp, GHG Protocol, and now the simplified standards VSME for SMEs. Each standard has its specificities, its indicators, its calculation methods.
Time pressure: doing more with less
Your customers want:
- Speed : “we need the diagnosis in 6 weeks.”
- Of quality : “the report must be flawless for the auditor”.
- A controlled price : “we only budgeted for X days of advice”.
And you? You pass:
- 40 to 50% of your time to collect scattered data (emails, Excel files, ERP not interfaced).
- 20 to 30% of your time to consolidate, check consistency, trace sources.
- Only 30% of your time on your real added value: strategic advice, analysis, prioritization, training.
Profitability vs quality: the impossible equation without the right tools
You charge by the day or by the package. Every hour lost on data collection is an hour that is not billable or that erodes your margin. You are facing a trilemma:
- Lower your rates → you lose profitability.
- Increase the number of days billed → your customers think it's too expensive.
- Go faster by sacrificing quality → you commit your reputation and responsibility.
None of these options are sustainable in the medium term.
Reliability and traceability: non-negotiable requirements
With the CSRD, extra-financial data is subject to external audit. For you, this means:
- Full audit trail : each data must be sourced, dated, validated
- Certified methodologies : calculations must follow recognized standards (ISO 14064 for carbon, etc.)
- Rigorous documentation : hypotheses, perimeters, emission factors, everything must be traced
An Excel spreadsheet shared by email with broken formulas and multiple versions? It's a listener's nightmare. And a legal risk for you.
The CSR support methodology: the key phases
Before seeing how Regensy fits into your practice, let's recall the classic methodological framework that you are familiar with.
Phase 1 - Diagnosis and status (6-8 weeks)
- Interviews with internal and external stakeholders
- Materiality analysis (identification of priority ESG issues)
- Documentary review (existing policies, historical data)
- Sector benchmark
- Deliverables : materiality matrix, diagnostic report with recommendations
Phase 2 - Definition of the CSR strategy (8-12 weeks)
- Co-construction workshop with COMEX
- Definition of ambitions, quantified commitments and KPIs
- Development of a multi-annual road map
- Prioritization of actions according to impact/feasibility/cost
- Deliverables : formalized CSR strategy, roadmap with milestones and budgets
Phase 3 - Operational Deployment (3-6 months)
- Detailed action plans by theme and by direction
- Establishment of governance (CSR committee, business representatives)
- Definition of management tools and dashboards
- Launch of the first priority projects
- Deliverables : operational action plans, monitoring tools
Phase 4 - Measurement and reporting (recurring, 3-4 months/year)
- Collection and consolidation of extra-financial data
- Calculating ESG indicators
- Writing the sustainability report (CSRD, DPEF, GRI...)
- Preparing for the external audit
- Deliverables : extra-financial report published, management dashboards
Phase 5 - Continuous improvement
- Annual CSR performance review
- Adjusting the strategy according to the results
- Continuing team training
- Regulatory and methodological monitoring
The problem? This methodology is tried and tested, but time consuming. And it is on phases 1, 3 and 4 that you waste the most time on tasks with low added value.
Two ways to work with Regensy : your choice according to your model
The Regensy Expert Course is not a rigid one-size-fits-all offer. We have designed two distinct modes of collaboration to adapt to your practice and business model.
Option 1: you equip your practice with Regensy
Principle : you directly use Regensy as a central platform to structure, analyze and manage your client's ESG approach.
How does that work in practice?
- You create a “customer” account.
- For this customer, you open a dedicated project area.
- You collect data directly via the platform (smart forms, connectors, imports).
- You analyze, weight, generate your deliverables.
- You share co-branded dashboards or reports with your customer.
The benefits for you:
- Full autonomy : you are in control of the tool from start to finish.
- Massive time savings : reduction of 40 to 50% in the time spent on collecting and consolidating data.
- Consistent methodologies : up-to-date repository library (ESRS, GRI, VSME, GHG Protocol).
- Professional deliverables : automated exports in accordance with audit standards.
- Full traceability : history of changes, audit trail, automatic documentation.
- Scalability : manage 5, 10 or 20 customers with the same efficiency.
For whom?
- Independent consultants who want to professionalize their offer.
- Small firms (2-10 people) that want to industrialize their processes without recruiting.
Suggested business model: you charge your standard consulting fees, and you include (or not) access to the platform in your offer. Some consultants offer an annual “support + tool” package, others charge by the mission and include the tool cost in their pricing.
Option 2 : we deploy Regensy directly to your customers
Principle : as part of a partnership (business contribution or joint service), Regensy is deployed directly to the companies you support. You maintain the advisory relationship and strategic management, we provide the tool and the methodological framework.
How does that work in practice?
- You identify an opportunity for a customer who needs a sustainable software solution.
- You co-present the offer with Regensy (presentation kit provided).
- Regensy manages technical onboarding, client team training, platform support.
- You focus on strategic support: animation of workshops, materiality analysis, prioritization, advice, training in the CSR approach.
The benefits for you:
- Enrichment of your offer without burdening your internal processes (no tool management).
- Recurrence : your client uses the platform over several years, you remain their go-to advisor.
- Premium positioning : you offer a global solution (advice + tool).
- Competitive differentiation : you are not only selling time, but a tooled transformation.
- Potential additional income : depending on the partnership (business contribution commission, co-billing, etc.).
For whom?
- Firms that want to go upmarket on strategic accounts.
- Consultants who prefer to focus on pure advice without managing the technical aspect.
- Partners who are looking for a source of recurrence (annual revenues linked to the tool).
Suggested business model: you charge for your strategic support (diagnosis, strategy, training), Regensy invoices the platform license. Depending on the case, we can consider a co-billing model or business provider remuneration.
Perform your double materiality analysis with our free and non-binding trial
What the Expert Course includes: your tools for effective support
Whichever option you choose, the Expert course gives you access to a complete ecosystem designed to save you time, reliability and value.
Platform features
- Multi-entity management
- Automated data collection
- Advanced analysis tools
- Professional deliverable generation
- Traceability and audit
To discover all the functionalities related to our SaaS tool, click here.
Support and resources
- Initial training
- Dedicated support
- Regensy expert community
- Marketing and sales resources
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about CSR support
How much does CSR support cost?
The cost of CSR support varies considerably depending on the size of the company, the scope of intervention and the level of initial maturity.
What certifications to support in CSR?
There is no mandatory certification to work as a CSR consultant. However, some certifications reinforce your credibility:
- Carbon Balance® (ABC - Carbon Balance Association)
- ISO certifications (ISO 26000, ISO 14001 auditor)
- GRI, SASB, TCFD training
- Cabinet labels (B Corp, Lucie, etc.)
Field experience, customer references and the mastery of standards remain the criteria most valued by customers.
CSR support internally or with an external consultant?
Both approaches have their advantages:
Internally :
- In-depth knowledge of the company
- Immediate availability
- Salary costs vs fees
With an external consultant :
- A fresh and objective perspective
- Extensive methodological expertise
- Credibility with stakeholders
- No permanent wage burden
Our recommendation : a hybrid model often works better. An internal CSR referent ensures day-to-day management, while an external consultant provides methodological expertise, structuring and support during the key phases.
How to choose a CSR consultant or firm?
Essential selection criteria :
- Sectoral references : did they support companies of your size and sector?
- Methodology : what approach, what tools, what deliverables?
- Team : profiles, experience, availability
- Scope of expertise : do they cover all your challenges (climate, social, governance)?
- Post-mission support : what happens after the report is delivered?
Questions to ask during the reflection phases :
- Can you share examples of anonymized deliverables?
- How do you manage data collection?
- Do you offer a software solution or do you work with partners?
- What is your data validation process?
CSR support: mandatory or voluntary?
Legal obligations in France :
- CSRD : mandatory reporting for large companies and ETIs on a gradual schedule (2025-2028)
- Climate and Resilience Law : specific obligations (environmental labelling, GHG assessment, etc.)
- Duty of vigilance : for large companies (more than 5000 employees in France or 10,000 worldwide)
Voluntary procedures : even without legal obligation, many companies are committed to a CSR approach to:
- Anticipating regulations
- Meeting customer and contractor expectations
- Differentiate yourself commercially
- Attracting and retaining talent
Important Warning — Interim Information
The items in this article are based on current trends and our research, but are not definitive information. Many points remain subject to change as regulatory changes take place.
In particular:
- The scope of application of CSRD is the subject of discussions at European level (“Omnibus” proposal) and could be significantly amended
- Les ESRS standards can be adjusted or simplified according to the feedback of the first reporting companies
- The implementation schedule could be reviewed, in particular for SMEs and sectoral standards
- Les external audit procedures are still in the process of being refined
We recommend :
- To regularly consult the official sources: AMF, Ministry of Economy, European Commission
- To rely on experts who are up to date with the latest regulatory developments
- To favour a gradual and adaptable approach rather than fixed compliance
The main sources of this article
CSR consulting market in France in 2024
- THE CSR AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING MARKET, Take advantage of the CSRD directive through an enriched and digitized offer by Xerfi, https://www.xerfi.com/presentationetude/le-marche-du-conseil-en-rse_SAE79
- The consulting market in France | 2024 — 2025 by Syntec Conseil: https://syntec-conseil.fr/actualites/le-marche-du-conseil-en-france-2024-2025/
- 14 figures for the consulting market in 2025: https://modelesdebusinessplan.com/blogs/infos/marche-conseil-chiffres
- CSR in 2024, a rapidly accelerating movement, by Kantar: https://www.kantar.com/fr/inspirations/developpement-durable/2024-la-rse-en-2024-un-mouvement-en-pleine-acceleration
- 2024 CSR barometer: the trigger for companies in the service of the transition? : https://www.vendredi.cc/ressources-articles/barometre-rse-2024-le-declic-des-entreprises-au-service-de-la-transition
- Is sustainable development the new Eldorado of the consulting market? : https://www.lemondeduchiffre.fr/developpement-durable/75379-developpement-durable-nouvel-eldorado-marche-conseil.html
CSRD, number of companies concerned in France: 2025 deadlines
- CSRD: Information on the sustainability of large companies, by Service Public France: https://entreprendre.service-public.fr/vosdroits/F38208
- Understanding CSRD: definitions, obligations and changes for businesses in 2025: https://www.orcom.fr/blog/comprendre-la-csrd-definitions-obligations-et-changements-pour-les-entreprises-en-2025/
- CSRD Directive: news, content and advice, by Greenly: https://greenly.earth/blog/guide-entreprise/directive-csrd-definition-enjeux-dates-cles?utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=1:%20SN%20|%202:%20Acquisition%20|%203:%20Search%20CSRD%20VSME%20FR%20Google%20|%204:%20FR%20 |
- CSRD reporting: extra-financial sustainability reporting, by BPI France: https://bigmedia.bpifrance.fr/nos-dossiers/directive-csrd-reporting-de-durabilite-extra-financier
- The new CSRD directive on corporate sustainability reporting, by the AMF: https://www.amf-france.org/fr/actualites-publications/actualites/la-nouvelle-directive-csrd-sur-le-reporting-de-durabilite-des-societes
- Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD): Who is affected, and when? : https://www.carbone4.com/article-csrd-qui-est-concerne
ESG data collection and extra-financial reporting
- ESG criteria: definition, example, challenges for companies, by BPI France, 2025: https://bigmedia.bpifrance.fr/nos-dossiers/criteres-esg-definition-exemple-enjeux-pour-les-entreprises
- ESG and CSRD: why companies should professionalize their CSR reporting, 2025: https://www.carenews.com/nasdaq-durabilite-solutions-esg/news/esg-et-csrd-pourquoi-les-entreprises-doivent-professionnaliser
- What is ESG Reporting? Everything You Need to Know, by Greenomy, 2024: https://www.greenomy.io/fr/blog/what-is-esg-reporting
