corsus - corporate sustainability GmbH

What corsus - corporate sustainability GmbH does

corsus - corporate sustainability GmbH is a Hamburg-based sustainability consultancy founded at the end of 2019 by Dr. Ulrike Eberle and Dr. Anke Butscher. The firm operates with a small core team of five specialists supplemented by a freelance network, delivering advisory and analytical services across the corporate-sustainability value chain. Its service portfolio spans life cycle assessments (LCA), product and corporate carbon footprinting, biodiversity impact analysis, and sustainability reporting aligned with the major European and German frameworks — CSRD/ESRS, GRI, DNK, and BNK. corsus also develops sustainability strategies for both corporate clients and municipal governments, positioning itself as a scientific advisory partner that translates complex regulatory requirements into operational practice.

The company's client base includes several large German and multinational enterprises — Frosta, Danone, Deutsche Telekom, Henkel, REWE, dm, Tchibo, and Tetra Pak — alongside a portfolio of municipal public-sector engagements. corsus maintains research and policy collaborations with organizations including SKEW (Servicestelle Kommunale Engagementförderung), RNE (Rat für Nachhaltige Entwicklung), and academic forums such as the International Food LCA Conference, and has established commercial partnerships with software vendors and regulatory-services firms such as Osapiens and ESRS Services. The firm publishes proprietary working aids, including a BNK working aid released in July 2026, as both client deliverables and thought-leadership assets.

Revenue is generated through project-based consulting engagements and the publication of methodology products; the business model is services-led with no disclosed SaaS or platform product, and no external funding rounds have been disclosed. The company operates as an independent, privately held GmbH funded organically through client fees.

Name

corsus - corporate sustainability GmbH

Legal name

corsus-corporate sustainability GmbH

Website

https://corsus.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

corsus - corporate sustainability GmbH is a Hamburg-based sustainability consultancy delivering life cycle assessments, carbon footprinting, biodiversity analysis, and CSRD-aligned reporting and strategy services to corporate clients and municipal governments in the DACH market.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Consulting

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainability & ESG Consulting (BPAHACAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

ESG Governance, Sustainability Reporting & Assurance Advisory (BPAHAFAJ), Sustainability & ESG Reporting (GRI/SASB/ISSB/CSRD) (EUAHAJAB), Environmental, Climate & Sustainability Standards & Reporting Cooperation (BPADANAI)

Keywords

• Sustainability consulting
• Life cycle assessment
• Carbon footprinting
• CSRD reporting
• Municipal sustainability

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Sustainability Consulting: Project-based consulting services for companies and municipalities covering sustainability strategy, reporting, LCA, carbon footprinting, biodiversity, and supply chain due diligence. Revenue generated through professional service engagements with customized project scopes.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

corsus is a Hamburg-based sustainability consultancy delivering advisory services to companies and municipalities. Core offerings include sustainability strategy development, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), corporate and product carbon footprinting, biodiversity assessment, sustainability reporting under CSRD/ESRS/GRI/DNK/VSME, supply chain due diligence (LkSG/CSDDD), and Economy for the Common Good (ECG) balance sheets, complemented by applied research in sustainable food systems.

Product overview

corsus is a sustainability consulting firm offering advisory services structured around three core areas: corporate sustainability consulting, municipal sustainability services, and research. For companies, services include Strategy, Sustainability Reporting, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Carbon Footprinting, Biodiversity, Critical Reviews, Packaging, Human Rights Due Diligence, Purchase and Supply Chains, and Economy for the Common Good. For municipalities, offerings encompass Sustainability Strategy, Sustainability Management, Impact-based Budget, Sustainability Reporting, Climate Action and Adaptation, Resilient Administration, Process Facilitation, Sustainable Procurement, Facilitation, and Common Good Balance Sheet. Research focuses on Sustainable Food Systems, Environmental and Sustainability Assessments, and Resilient Municipalities. The company was founded at the end of 2019 by Dr. Ulrike Eberle and Dr. Anke Butscher.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Corporate Sustainability Consulting Services Advisory services for companies covering sustainability strategy, sustainability reporting (CSRD, VSME, GRI, DNK), Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Carbon Footprinting (corporate and product carbon footprints), Biodiversity assessment, Critical Reviews, Packaging, Human Rights Due Diligence, Purchase and Supply Chains, and Economy for the Common Good balance sheets.
• Municipal Sustainability Services Advisory and support services for municipalities including sustainability strategy development, sustainability management, impact-based budgeting, sustainability reporting (BNK), climate action and adaptation, resilient administration, process facilitation, sustainable procurement, and Common Good Balance Sheet (ECG).
• Research Services Research services focused on sustainable food systems, environmental and sustainability assessments, and resilient municipalities, conducted for clients such as WWF Germany, Bertelsmann Stiftung, and ICLEI.
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Environmental impact assessment for products and services based on ISO 14040/44 standards, including European Commission's Environmental Footprint (EF) requirements and biodiversity impact categories.
• Carbon Footprinting Corporate carbon footprint (CCF) and product carbon footprint (PCF) calculations following ISO 14064, ISO 14067, and Greenhouse Gas Protocol standards, including climate strategy development and critical review services.
• Sustainability Reporting End-to-end sustainability reporting support including materiality analysis using a dual materiality approach, reporting aligned with CSRD, VSME, GRI, and DNK standards.
• Sustainability Strategy (for companies) Strategic sustainability advisory integrating climate change, biodiversity, water scarcity, and human rights risks into business strategy, with support for CSRD, VSME, LkSG, and CSDDD compliance.
• Economy for the Common Good (ECG) Balance Sheet Common Good Balance Sheet (ECG/GWö) preparation, audit support, and Workbook 2.0-based consulting for companies, municipalities, and organizations such as diaconal bodies.

Quantifiable outcome

• FRoSTA achieved 4th German Sustainability Prize (2023) and 1st prize (2020) through corsus sustainability consulting
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Saxony Competence Centre for Sustainable ProcurementminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 11 March 2024Collaboration on online training for Saxon municipalities on sustainable IT procurement. Dr. Krishan Gairola conducted training on sustainable procurement principles.
• Service Agency Communities in One World (SKEW)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2021Multi-year partnership for municipal sustainability consulting. SKEW commissions corsus for projects under 'Globally Sustainable Municipality' programs. corsus supported BNK pilot municipalities including Aschaffenburg, developed sustainability strategies for Flensburg, Plön, St. Peter-Ording, and trained Saxon municipalities.
• International Food LCA Conference (Co-organizer)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 October 2020corsus is one of four co-organizers of the biennial International Food LCA Conference. Dr. Ulrike Eberle chairs the Scientific Committee. Conference brings together ~500 LCA researchers and practitioners globally.
• Bertelsmann Stiftung / ICLEI / International Association for the Promotion of the Common Good EconomycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2020Collaborated on study 'Sustainability and the Common Good in Municipalities' published by Bertelsmann Stiftung, ICLEI European Secretariat, and International Association for the Promotion of the Common Good Economy. Key research contribution on integrating sustainability and ECG in municipalities.
• ESRS ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focused on European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) services. Provides corsus clients with access to ESRS methodology and tools.
• German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE/Rat für Nachhaltige Entwicklung)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Anke Butscher co-developed content and structure of BNK working aid on behalf of RNE. corsus involvement in developing municipal sustainability reporting framework (BNK) positions firm as key implementation partner.
• Julia PfinderminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIndependent consultant providing process facilitation and strategy services. Collaborated with corsus on Aschaffenburg BNK sustainability report. Specializes in change management, strategy, and cooperation in sustainability context.
• planZ / Anke PeterminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSustainability consultancy network partner. Works with SMEs on sustainability management. Credo: 'from practice for practice' - pragmatic and solution-oriented approach. Collaborates on client projects.
• Hannah HeinevetterminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFreelance sustainability consultant. Supports municipalities with UN SDG integration, education for sustainable development, and event moderation. Long-term partner in Global Sustainable Municipality Schleswig-Holstein project.
• Birte Kruse-GobrechtminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCertified organizational consultant and coach. Former mayor (2016-2022). Advises on change and network management, leadership, sustainability strategies, and personnel development.
• SCHIERRIEGERminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvertising and communication agency. Develops individual communication strategies from brand development to integrated campaigns for organizations committed to social-ecological responsibility.
• Biodiversity In Good CompanyminorOthersIndustry initiative of companies committed to biodiversity preservation. corsus holds membership, indicating expertise and commitment to corporate biodiversity assessment.
• Scientists for Future (Scientists for Future)minorOthersMovement of scientists supporting climate and sustainability activism. corsus holds membership, signaling alignment with climate science.
• Entrepreneurs for FutureminorOthersNetwork of companies committed to climate action. corsus holds membership, indicating commitment to sustainable business practices.
• Gemeinwohlökonomie (Economy for the Common Good)coreOtherscorsus is certified ECG/GWÖ consultant. Dr. Anke Butscher authored ECG Workbook 2.0 for municipalities. Firm conducts ECG balance sheets for companies and municipalities. Core methodology partner.
• UmweltPartnerschaft HamburgminorOthersEnvironmental partnership network in Hamburg. corsus supports Hamburg environmental initiatives and participates in working groups.
• Bundesverband Nachhaltige Wirtschaft (BNW)minorOthersFederal association for sustainable business. corsus holds membership, connecting with broader sustainable economy network.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ifu Hamburg: Hamburg-based environmental consulting firm and developer of the Umberto LCA software. Direct German peer to corsus in LCA methodology and sustainability consulting, with the addition of proprietary software products.
• GreenDelta: Berlin-based sustainability consultancy and open-source LCA software provider (openLCA). Direct German peer in LCA tooling, sustainability reporting, and CSRD support for both corporate and public-sector clients.
• B.A.U.M. Consult: German sustainability consultancy working with municipalities, companies, and public-sector bodies on sustainability strategies and reporting. Highly comparable to corsus on the German municipal sustainability practice, especially around BNK/DNK reporting.
• EcoAct: International consultancy focused on carbon strategy, climate reporting, and CSRD-related advisory. Comparable peer in carbon footprinting and corporate sustainability reporting, with stronger presence in France and broader enterprise client base.
• PRé Sustainability: Dutch-based LCA and sustainability consultancy (developers of SimaPro software). Highly comparable to corsus in offering ISO 14040/44-based LCA, footprinting, and CSRD-adjacent advisory, but with proprietary LCA software and slightly broader geographic reach.
• Quantis: International sustainability consultancy specializing in LCA, carbon footprinting, and science-based target setting for CPG and food companies. Highly comparable peer to corsus on LCA methodology, food sector focus, and big-brand enterprise clients.
• FutureCamp Climate GmbH: Munich-based sustainability consultancy offering carbon footprinting, CSRD reporting, and climate strategy for German mid-market and enterprise clients. Closely comparable peer in DACH enterprise ESG advisory with overlapping service lines.

Broad incumbents

• Carbon Trust: UK-headquartered global climate consultancy providing carbon footprinting, certification, and sustainability advisory. Comparable peer on carbon footprinting methodology and enterprise sustainability work, but operates globally and at much larger scale.
• South Pole Group: Large global climate and sustainability consultancy offering carbon footprinting, ESG strategy, and CSRD advisory. Comparable in service lines to corsus but operates at significantly larger scale with broader geographic and sector coverage.
• Sphera (formerly thinkstep): Global leader in LCA software (GaBi) and sustainability consulting for products and supply chains. Direct peer in Life Cycle Assessment and carbon footprinting, but operates at much larger scale with proprietary software, whereas corsus is a pure-services boutique.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/corsus-corporate-sustainability

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about corsus - corporate sustainability GmbH