ESG is complex. Let’s just get that out of the way. We wish it was simpler but it just isn’t.
So if you’re serious about hitting your ESG goals, you’re going to need support from several people with very specific expertise. CSRD compliance, decarbonisation, LCAs, DEI strategy, sustainability communications… it’s an ever-growing list. And no, one person can’t be an expert in all of these things, as much as we’d love them to be. (If anybody claims to be an expert in all of these things, they’re either lying, or they’re the smartest person who has ever lived!).
The big question here is, do you really have the time — or the budget — to make a full-time hire for each one of these specialized roles? It just doesn’t seem feasible, does it?
Increasingly, more and more companies are coming to that conclusion. So rather than trying to hire a separate full-time employee for every ESG challenge, they are instead turning to freelance ESG experts to fill the gaps quickly, flexibly, and cost-effectively.
The thing is though, ESG recruitment is not easy, and you need to know where to look if you want to find top ESG freelancers. (And even when you are looking in the right places, you still need to know what to look for).
That’s where this article comes in. Below, we break down the six key qualities that separate standout ESG freelancers from the rest.
1. Deep topical expertise
This one’s probably pretty obvious, but if someone is calling themselves an ESG freelancer, they should actually know their stuff. And that means being aware of core ESG principles — like key regulations, reporting guidelines, and governance best practices — and being completely fluent in their particular area of focus.
So of course, a CSRD expert should know the directive inside out, from double materiality to reporting timelines. A decarbonisation expert should be well-versed in emissions scopes, reduction strategies, and climate targets. And well, you get the picture; we’re not just looking for surface-level knowledge here, we want deep, practical expertise.
2. Up-to-date knowledge of the regulatory landscape
We may have already mentioned this in the previous section, but it’s so darned important, it really does deserve its own section.
ESG regulations are shifting constantly. One moment the CSRD is the main thing on the horizon, and then the ESPR pops up out of nowhere, and then something else! Who knows what’s going to happen tomorrow?
Well ideally, your ESG freelancer, that’s who. The best ESG freelancers, no matter their particular area of focus, should have a good idea of what regulations are currently mandatory, which ones are still voluntary (for now), and which ones are around the corner.
No matter what specific ESG challenge they’re helping you tackle, having that kind of regulatory awareness in the mix is never a bad thing.
3. A proven track record
We’ve been talking a lot about knowledge and expertise so far. But let’s be honest, the proof here really is in the pudding isn’t it? (This particular pudding is made from seasonal, locally-sourced, ethically-farmed ingredients, and comes in easily compostable packaging!).
Because no matter how much they theoretically know about their particular field, to be considered a top ESG freelancer, we’ll also need to be seeing some real-world results. What has the freelancer helped their previous clients achieve? How did they improve each client’s performance, or help them achieve their goals?
Case studies or client feedback is crucial here, as even though past performance isn’t a guarantee of future success, it’s a very good indicator.
4. Strong communication and collaboration skills
The chance of future success comes much closer to a guarantee when a freelancer also has strong communication and collaboration skills. Because remember, they will not be working in a vacuum!
Often, they will be working across departments, with legal, finance, operations, HR, procurement, and communications teams all possibly involved.
So a top ESG freelancer needs to be clear, adaptable, team-oriented, and capable of translating complex ESG ideas into language that resonates with different stakeholders.
5. Practical, action-oriented mindset
If you really want to achieve your ESG goals, you won’t want a freelancer who just advises you; you’ll want one who rolls up their sleeves and helps you actually get stuff done.
That means helping you set realistic goals, map out next steps, and getting your team aligned and in motion to implement them.
Ultimately, you’re looking for someone who is all about driving real, tangible progress.
6. Values alignment and integrity
Finally — and this one is just as important as all the others — the meaning behind that progress has to be right too.
Because this isn’t just any type of work. Your ESG efforts impact people, communities, and the planet, and you should aim to only hire freelancers who genuinely care about that.
The best ESG freelancers don’t see ESG as just another gig. They’re motivated by impact, they walk the talk in their own lives, and they bring that same energy to your company.
We have no doubt you’ll feel it when you talk to them, and throughout the collaboration, so will your team. (Never underestimate the impact this can have on getting everyone aligned with your mission!).
By the way, speaking of collaboration and deeply caring about positive impact, have we told you about Dazzle yet?
Find all the qualities you need in an ESG freelancer with Dazzle
Dazzle is a platform that offers the world’s best sustainability freelancers on-demand.
We have every kind of ESG freelancer you can think of, already available to help you with any ESG challenge that comes up.
And we can guarantee, that every one of our freelancers has the qualities discussed in this article in abundance. All of our freelancers are extensively pre-screened, so quality is always guaranteed. The process is also very flexible, as you can choose to work with our experts on a project-based, on-demand, or interim basis.
Contact us today, and we can send you several expert profiles that fit your exact needs within hours.
Easy on your time, easy on your budget, designed to help you achieve your sustainability goals without fuss. We have already found the best ESG freelancers around, so you don’t have to.
