Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations are now board‑level priorities. Regulators, investors, customers, employees and communities expect companies to reduce emissions, ensure fair labour practices, manage social and climate risks and demonstrate good governance. Okiru’s ESG consulting helps you embed these principles into your business model so that sustainability becomes a driver of growth rather than just a reporting requirement. We work with corporates, SMEs, financial institutions and government agencies to design strategies that deliver measurable impact and protect long‑term value. From net‑zero planning and ESG reporting to risk management, due diligence and stakeholder engagement, our approach goes beyond box‑ticking to build resilience and unlock opportunities.

There is no one‑size‑fits‑all timeline, but you should plan on at least a year for your first comprehensive ESG programme. A structured process generally includes:

1. Assessing your current state – understanding stakeholder expectations, identifying gaps and compiling baseline data on environmental and social impacts.

2. Building executive support – educating leadership on ESG fundamentals and securing resources.

3. Creating the strategy – defining focus areas, governance structures and measurable targets.

4. Taking action – implementing initiatives such as decarbonisation projects, supply‑chain audits, diversity programmes and reporting systems.

5. Reporting and refining – disclosing performance, analysing results and improving.

Smaller, more agile organisations may complete an initial roadmap in eight to ten months, while complex, multinational groups may require multiple years. Okiru accelerates this journey through clear roadmaps, data tools and industry expertise.

The cost of ESG consulting depends on the size of your organisation, the scope of work and the consultant’s experience. Key factors include the depth of sustainability reporting required, whether a materiality assessment or supply‑chain audit is needed, and how many sites or business units are involved. Pricing models vary:

• Daily or hourly rates: Junior consultants may charge the equivalent of £300–£400 per day, while senior experts command £1 000–£2 000 per day. Converted to South African rand, that roughly translates to R6 000–R50 000 per day.

• Fixed project fees: A defined engagement (e.g. a carbon footprint assessment, ESG strategy and roadmap) might be priced at a flat amount – anywhere from R150 000 to R500 000 for smaller companies, and upwards of R1 million for complex, multi‑site projects.

• Retainers: For ongoing advisory support, monthly retainers provide access to expertise over a set number of days or hours.

Because every business has unique needs, Okiru prepares a customised proposal after understanding your objectives, existing systems and budget. The value of ESG consulting often exceeds its cost by unlocking grants, investment, tax incentives and market opportunities while reducing risk.

The “right” framework depends on your industry, size, investor expectations and regulatory obligations. Common global standards include:

• International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) / IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards – the emerging global baseline for investor‑focused disclosures.

• Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) – widely used for broad sustainability reporting, including social impacts.

• Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) – sector‑specific metrics for material ESG issues.

• Task Force on Climate‑Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) – guidance for reporting climate risks and opportunities.

In South Africa, companies should also consider the King IV Report on Corporate Governance, the Companies Act, National Environmental Management Act, Employment Equity Act, B‑BBEE Codes of Good Practice and sector‑specific requirements. Okiru helps you select and integrate the appropriate frameworks, ensuring consistent, comparable disclosures that satisfy regulators, investors and other stakeholders.

Effective ESG consulting begins with a clear picture of your current state. Before your engagement, compile:

• Environmental data: energy bills, fuel consumption, waste and recycling records, water usage, Scope 1‑3 greenhouse‑gas emissions and environmental permits.

• Workforce and social data: headcount by role, race and gender, employment‑equity plans, health & safety statistics and skills‑development initiatives.

• Governance documentation: organisational structure, board charters, policies on ethics, diversity, risk management and data privacy.

• Supply‑chain and procurement information: key suppliers, spend by category, vendor B‑BBEE ratings, human‑rights policies and audit reports.

• Existing sustainability or transformation efforts: climate commitments, community‑investment programmes, B‑BBEE scorecards and previous ESG reports.

Don’t worry if gaps exist; Okiru provides tools and guidance to collect the missing information. The more comprehensive your baseline, the more precise and actionable your ESG strategy will be.