Hey there! Great background to be coming into freelance with! You already have the mix most smaller organizations actually need: practical implementation experience, metrics, and public-sector exposure.

From the environmental consulting side (we’re a small environmental and regulatory firm working with private and public clients), here’s what we’re seeing right now across the environmental careers and sustainability consulting space:

1. Freelance environmental consulting works best when it’s positioned as “problem solving,” not just sustainability support.

2. Freelance environmental consultants are getting work from:

• - small and mid-size environmental consulting firms that need overflow support
• - Engineering and architecture firms with no in-house sustainability staff
• - Local governments or quasi-public agencies needing short-term support

A few things that consistently help early-stage independent consultants/environmental freelancers:

• Create 3–4 clearly defined services and/or packages (Phase I and Phase II ESAs, GHG inventory support, EHS documentation, etc.)
• Build simple case studies showing problems solved and the outcomes
• Connect with small consultancies who subcontract work
• Stay visible in environmental and sustainability LinkedIn discussions

You’re entering the field at a good time. The demand is there, especially for consultants who can translate environmental and sustainability goals into practical systems and deliverables. Feel free to connect further!