Skip to main content

Sustainability consultancy from Hamburg with over 22 years of experience

When sustainability was still far from a trend and ESG consulting was in its early days, Anke Steinbach founded her management consultancy with a focus on sustainability strategy and communication. Since 2003, STEINBACH STRATEGIEN has been supporting large companies from a wide range of industries in sustainability management, sustainability strategies, CSR projects and ESG reporting.

Much has changed and become significantly more professional over the past two decades. Anke Steinbach has summarized this experience in her book “Do you speak sustainability?” Today, the CSRD directive brings new complexity for companies — both experienced and just starting out. Listen to Anke Steinbach on the SAIM podcast on CSRD and read our FAQ.

The experience gained from hundreds of projects, combined with Anke Steinbach’s management expertise and deep knowledge as a sustainability consultant forms the foundation of sustainability consulting at STEINBACH STRATEGIEN. You can expect confident, well-grounded guidance through complex requirements, a practical perspective and clear results.

Behind the scenes: Anke Steinbach in person

Lectures, panel discussions, teaching. Jury member, coach and mentor. In various roles, I have been able to contribute both professionally and personally My favourite topic? Naturally, sustainability in all its facets! But there have also been and continue to be chances to engage in discussions on various other topics, for example, entrepreneurship, business development, organisational growth in the nonprofit sector, jobs with meaning, faith and work.
Photo: Anke-Steinbach
Growing up in Eastern Germany, my world was small and traveling was mainly a dream. As an economist specialising in Latin America, I have been drawn to the fascinating cultures of South and Central America for many years. My passion for diving has taken me to some of the most wonderful corners of the world. I love traveling, discovering people, nature and culture and I’d love to invent a cure for overtourism.
Photo: Anke-Steinbach - Globetrotter
Since coming to faith in 2008 and being baptized in 2011, my life has been built on a completely different, solid foundation – Jesus Christ. I am active in my church, ICF Hamburg, with many great people. Volunteering is a natural part of my life. Just like for around 31 million Germans who help shape our society.
Photo: Anke-Steinbach - Committed Christian

The forest of STEINBACH STRATEGIEN

Planting trees is more urgent than ever, because they are essential for climate protection. We were introduced to Life Terra through a client project and are inspired by their ambitious vision of planting 500 million trees in Europe by 2030 – one tree for every European. That’s how the STEINBACH STRATEGIEN forest came to life. In 2024, trees were given to clients and business partners – and we look forward to further growth.

Beispielhaftes Bild vom STEINBACH STRATEGIEN Wald, der mit Life Terra gepflanzt wurde

How STEINBACH STRATEGIEN works

CSR, DNK, EcoVadis, GRI, SBTi, UNGC, SAQ… The wide range of ESG criteria and requirements makes sustainability management a complex undertaking. Typical questions companies ask themselves include

  • What is important and when?
  • What makes a good sustainability strategy?
  • What ESG reporting do we need?
  • How should we incorporate requirements, e.g. from customer questionnaires?
  • How do we deal with a decentralized or unclear organizational setup?

At STEINBACH STRATEGIEN Hamburg, sustainability is. approached through concrete tasks while also being viewed holistically. Consulting services highlight which tasks companies typically need to address on their sustainability journey, such as developing a sustainability strategy and a CSRD roadmap, setting up ESG reporting, reviewing existing sustainability reports, designing CSR initiatives, and advising on organisational integration. With over two decades of experience in sustainability management, Anke Steinbach provides tailored guidance to each company based on its unique situation. Her experience allows her to quickly assess where a company stands — and identify the next steps with precision

Overview of services

  • Sustainability strategy: e.g. development, review, operationalization, transformation roadmap
  • Reporting: e.g. sustainability report, CSRD report, ESG reporting, etc.
  • Sustainability assessment and benchmarking
  • Materiality analysis according to CSRD (with our partner SAIM)
  • CSR projects: concepts for citizenship and social engagement
  • Onboarding in sustainability management for executives and coaching of employees

What characterises STEINBACH STRATEGIEN

Know How
Sustainability expertise through project experience, teaching and publications.
Many years of experience
22+ years of consulting experience with customers in Germany and internationally.
Industry knowledge
Over 500 projects on sustainability topics in many different industries.
Pragmatic
Solution-oriented and efficient cooperation in projects.
Individual
Personal and customized solutions for each individual customer.
Authentic
Honest cooperation and sustainability in practice.

Behind the scenes of sustainability consulting

A call from an employee of a company we don’t even know at the time—although it sells worldwide and is quite large. A hidden champion, in other words. “We are looking for a sustainability consultancy in Hamburg, and could probably use some of what you offer. We haven’t got the much in place yet, and honestly we’re not quite sure where to start. Can we talk?” Of course we can!


This is a great starting point, a classic case for the experienced sustainability consultancy STEINBACH STRATEGIEN. For the initial meeting with some of the executives, we conduct a brief preliminary analysis of the company and its industry: What is already in place, what are the key topics, and where are potential stumbling blocks?
During the initial discussion, we use a few slides, lots of questions and hypotheses to get to the crux of the matter. In this respect, sustainability consulting is a bit like going to the doctor… An experienced doctor is familiar with symptoms and can use a few questions to get to the bottom of what’s going on. He explains possible implications and encourages the patient to take responsibility. In the best case, he does so in a way that is understandable and doesn’t use too many technical terms.

The customer’s experience: a few lightbulb moments and a sense of relief—realizing that not everything needs to happen at once. They feel understood and recognize that there is someone who can help navigate the complexity.

On the consultant’s side: a sense that this company has both the ability and the motivation to move forward. Together, some initial cornerstones for the collaboration are defined.

Phase one focuses on taking stock: an inventory, competitor benchmarking, topic analysis, and a roadmap for the next two years. After several months of in-depth analysis, we’ve built a strong working relationship. We present the results and map out the next steps.

A typical discussion point at this stage: should we already define a sustainability strategy and concrete sustainability goals? The answer: it’s too soon. At this point, we only work on a list of the key material topics.

CSRD reporting? We can take our time with that too, because the first thing to do is to lay the foundations: collect figures, answer customer questionnaires properly, build structures, involve employees in central areas such as purchasing in sustainability, measure the carbon footprint, write content for an initial sustainability report. Always with a pragmatic eye on what is feasible, no cookie-cutter approach. Pulling, pushing, occasionally applying the brakes, coaching – and also having a frank talk every now and then.

Important success factor: There is a small team on the client side that is committed and, with the support of management, can advance projects that we have prioritized together in terms of content and process. There are regular jour fixes and an honest relationship is growing.
After about 18 months, we can draw a line under it: The company is well positioned for the next steps on its sustainability journey. It has the basic knowledge and discernment, has completed some important first tasks and has presentable results.

Was it always easy? No! Neither for the consultants nor for the team in the company. Are we proud of what we have achieved? Absolutely! And then we roll up our sleeves and move forward…

Read More

Sustainability strategy

Analysis, strategic foundation, or further development of the existing approach.
Learn more

Sustainability reporting

ESG reporting according to various standards and substantial communication around your sustainability initiatives.
Learn more

Your Personal trainer

1:1 support for specific topics or organizational changes – you define the goal and receive the appropriate “fitness program”.
Learn more

And what is the next step you want to take in ESG management?

What clients say

Stronger together: The team

Anke Steinbach has been an independent sustainability consultant for over 22 years. She has a background in economics and an MBA in sustainability management and worked at McKinsey for several years. She works with selected consultants, sustainability specialists and agencies in a network on a project-by-project basis. Get to know some of them.

Learn more