Environmental Consulting Services NAICS 541620

Mar 6, 2025 - Key US Environmental Law in Limbo

• The Trump administration threw US environmental policy into confusion with the issuance of an executive order that directs federal agencies to overhaul how they comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The law, which requires federal agencies to assess the environmental impact of infrastructure projects before their approval, has been a key US environmental law since its implementation in the 1970s. Ambiguity with the details of how NEPA is implemented has historically allowed successive administrations to take the lead on guidance of its administration, and Trump has chosen to essentially rescind all aspects of it. Federal agencies have been directed to apply NEPA with an eye towards speedy approvals of projects with minimal environmental study. Environmentalists worry the move will encourage rushed infrastructure projects that pose public health risks.
• A lack of financial incentives topped the list of reasons why some firms aren’t meeting their sustainability goals, according to a recent survey by environmental consultancy ERM. The survey queried C-suite executives and managers across industry sectors. Just under half (48%) of respondents cited a lack of financial incentives as the leading barrier to success in meeting their organization’s sustainability goals, followed by technology that is unavailable or too costly (43%) and a lack of any forceful regulation (41%). Improved training was the top-ranked solution for improving sustainability engagement (72% of respondents), followed by financial incentives and integration of sustainability goals into day-to-day operations. However, those surveyed said that their organizations’ most underutilized solutions were financial incentives and better training.

• The outlook for the global environmental and sustainability consulting industry is positive, according to the recently released Future of Consultancy survey by Environmental Analyst. After posting average revenue growth of 5.5% in 2023, survey respondents expect 2024 revenue to rise by 6.5%. Industry profit margins for 2024 are projected to increase to 7.4% over 6.2% in 2023. However, the industry is increasingly worried about headcount as the number of respondents expecting layoffs tripled for the 2024 survey compared to 2023. Overall, the survey respondents expect a 2.2% decline in their workforce. The consulting industry’s global average five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is 5.9%, more than double the five-year outlook from the 2023 survey. Key growth drivers include the clean energy transition and demand for sustainability strategy services.
• More than 20% of the US population may rely on groundwater that has detectable levels of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl) substances, according to a report released in late October 2024 by the US Geological Survey (USGS). PFAS are a family of chemicals that have been used in a wide range of applications, including food box linings, non-stick cookware, and fire-fighting foams. Commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” because they are slow to break down in the environment, PFAS can have adverse health effects, according to the EPA. The USGS estimates that 71 to 95 million people in the lower 48 states who rely on groundwater may have PFAS in their drinking water supply. In addition to a scientific report, the USGS has released an online, interactive map allowing users to access probability estimates for the presence of PFAS.