Market Research for Environmental & Energy Companies

We specialise in conducting market analysis and research for organisations in the environmental & energy sectors

Market research services for environmental & energy industries

Leading Edge has been firmly established as a specialist consultancy, delivering market research and marketing support to clients in the environmental and energy markets since 1988.

Our journey during this time has been marked by a diverse array of market research projects for the environmental and energy sectors, fostering long-term relationships with several clients. This extensive experience has equipped us with a deep understanding and practical insights into the workings of these markets, which few other market research consultancies can offer.

Chris Hadley, our lead consultant, plays a pivotal role in our success. With nearly 30 years of specialised experience in these two sectors, he offers in-depth energy industry knowledge essential for identifying key issues and designing customised research programs that align with client needs. He delivers insightful environment market research reports and industry analysis with expert knowledge.

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We worked this year with Lead Edge on an important corporate project. The account manager who supported us was professional and competent. The topic addressed was challenging, and the project was not easy to manage due to the highly specific data that needed to be analyzed. However, thanks to effective teamwork, the outcome was truly satisfying for us.

Market Analyst, Multinational Environmental Company
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“At Oil Analysis Laboratories, we understand the importance of delivering independent, reliable, and accurate data to maintain customer satisfaction. That’s why we trust Leading Edge for our customer surveys, ensuring both our clients and we are consistently pleased with the results.”

Managing Director, Oil Analysis Laboratories
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We have worked with Leading Edge for the past 12 months to perform our Net Promoter Score. I have found our account manager to be very professional, producing insightful and accurate data and reports. Most importantly they handle our customer’s data in compliant and confidential manner.

Head of Customer Experience, Ancala Water Services
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Leading Edge have been working with us for a number of years, and provide a first class service when it comes to our Voice of Customer and NPS research. They accommodate the different requirements of our varied business units without a problem. Would happily recommend as they are a pleasure to deal with.

Reporting Lead, Severn Trent Services
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We have worked with Leading Edge for 7 years now.  When you are employing a company to talk to your customers you need to trust implicitly that they always act in a completely professional manner.  Leading Edge have always done this and their communication with us as a business is first class.

Business Development Manager, Severn Trent Retail and Utility Services
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Leading Edge has been carrying out customer satisfaction surveys and measurement of net promoter scores for us on a continual basis for around 12 years. We are very happy with the quality of work, meeting of deadlines and customer liaison. The output enables us to identify areas where we need to improve and also service areas where we excel. I would be happy to recommend them to other companies.

Marketing Manager, Severn Trent Services
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At very short notice Leading Edge came into our business to assist with our strategic business planning process. They were able to immediately understand the brief and worked with us to provide essential information to allow us to make some key decisions. This was all done on a very tight timescale and they met the brief exactly.

Business Development Director, Imtech
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Working with Chris and the team on our customer satisfaction surveys has been invaluable. To be able to get real feedback from our customers in a simple to understand format with insightful verbatim comments has allowed us to continue to improve our service and really focus on what matters to the people we serve on our contract.

Contract Lead, Oren Environmental
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Leading Edge have assisted STGP in the delivery of our quarterly Customer Survey for over 2 years. We continue to be impressed with their interactions with our customer base, the quality of their final reports and the confidential manner of their undertakings.

Commercial Director, Severn Trent Green Power

Our Experience in Environmental Market Research, Customer Service Measurement and Market Analysis

Our clients in this sector vary widely and include multinational corporations in water and waste management, intermediaries providing an array of support services and SMEs. We also have considerable experience working with public sector clients at national, regional, and local levels.

As the energy and environment sector undergoes rapid evolution we find ourselves at the forefront of identifying and exploring new market opportunities as part of the market research we do. Organisations want to understand their marketplace and customers whilst managing growing concerns over issues like air and water pollution, water quality, waste management, and the emergence of sustainable products and services. This dynamic environment not only challenges us but also drives our commitment to staying ahead in delivering valuable insights and strategies in these ever-changing markets.

Our expertise is extensive and spans various sub-sectors of the environmental and energy market, including:

  • Equipment and Services for Air Pollution Control
  • Analytical Tools and Services
  • Clean Technology Solutions
  • Environmental Consulting and Engineering Services
  • Instrumentation and Monitoring Tools and Services
  • Remediation Equipment and Services
  • Resource Recovery and Reuse Equipment and Services
  • Water and Wastewater Treatment Tools and Services
  • Waste Management Equipment and Services

In each of these areas, we are committed to delivering comprehensive and specialised market research solutions, catering to the unique challenges and requirements of these diverse fields. Our services range from environmental market and customer research, energy market analysis, and forecasting to competitor analysis, benchmarking and customer satisfaction studies.

Chris Hadley
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Few consultancies offering market research, customer service measurement, and market analysis can match the depth of experience we have at Leading Edge in the environmental and energy sectors. It means we are already 'ahead of the curve,' likely having expertise in your specific market area thereby being well placed to deliver added value support.

Chris Hadley, Lead- Environmental & Energy

Our Track Record in Market Analysis and Research for the Environmental & Energy Sector

Case Study: Re-Segmentation of Customer Base for a Laboratory Services Client

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Leading Edge was commissioned to deliver a strategic customer segmentation project for a long-standing client in the laboratory services sector. While previous work had involved periodic satisfaction surveys, the client recognised a need for a deeper, more actionable understanding of customer groups as part of a broader marketing and value-creation review.


Objective: Moving from Feedback to Needs-Based Marketing

The primary aim was to shift from a one-size-fits-all model to a needs- and benefits-based approach. This meant identifying and grouping customers not just by spend or sector, but by their expectations, decision-making behaviours, and service priorities.

Leading Edge recommended its proprietary SCAN segmentation model — a framework designed to deliver clearly defined customer clusters that support strategic marketing, service design, and value delivery.


Methodology: Combining Qualitative Insight with Quantitative Rigour

To support the segmentation:

  • A custom questionnaire was developed to explore service needs, buying behaviours, and attitudes.
  • 175 companies were interviewed, representing a broad cross-section of customer types, usage levels, and industry sectors.
  • The sample was designed using a stratified random approach, and where needed, Leading Edge extended recruitment beyond the existing client database to ensure robust coverage.

Using SPSS statistical software, advanced cluster analysis was conducted to group respondents by shared traits — going beyond simple demographics or spend bands to uncover behavioural patterns and underlying needs.


Overcoming Sampling Challenges

Given the limited size of the client’s customer database and the diversity of sectors served, traditional sampling methods wouldn’t suffice. Leading Edge used an innovative combination of internal and external contacts to:

  • Maintain statistical validity
  • Ensure a representative view of the broader market
  • Include prospects as well as current clients to shape a more forward-looking segmentation strategy

Outcomes: Four Actionable Customer Clusters

The analysis revealed four distinct customer segments:

  1. Basic – low-engagement, price-conscious clients
  2. Process Driven – focused on efficiency and consistency
  3. Demand & Expect More – higher-spend, service-intensive clients
  4. Challenge or Opportunity – clients with complex, evolving needs

These clusters enabled the client to design tiered service models, develop targeted messaging, and prioritise internal resources more effectively.


From Insight to Action: Driving Strategic Buy-In

Leading Edge presented the findings to a cross-functional group within the client organisation, helping to:

  • Build internal understanding and alignment around the segmentation
  • Facilitate early discussion on practical implementation
  • Encourage buy-in from sales, marketing, and service teams

The outcome was a strategic shift in how the client viewed and engaged its customer base — setting the stage for more targeted, responsive service delivery and marketing.


Why Strategic Segmentation Matters

For companies offering technical or professional services, customer needs are rarely uniform. This project illustrates how customer segmentation based on behaviours and expectations — not just spend — can unlock real commercial value and create a platform for smarter decision-making.

More Environmental & Energy Case Studies

Frequently Asked Questions On Environmental & Energy research

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We provide market analysis, customer satisfaction surveys, and strategic insights tailored to the environmental and energy industries.

Our services help identify market opportunities, enhance customer engagement, and provide actionable insights for strategic decision-making.

Our clients include energy providers, environmental service companies, regulatory agencies, and technology firms focused on sustainability.

We analyse trends such as renewable energy adoption, regulatory changes, technological advancements, and consumer behaviour in the energy market.

We cover topics such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, environmental regulations, sustainable construction practices, and green building technologies.

Why choose Leading Edge for your Environmental & Energy research

35+ Years Experience
37,000+ Research Interviews Completed
389+ Construction & Environmental Clients

Leading Edge, established in 1988, has over 35 years of experience in construction market research. We have collaborated with hundreds of clients on bespoke market studies and conducted over 37,000 research interviews, providing deep insights into the construction, building products, and environmental sectors.

We offer comprehensive market coverage in the UK, across Europe and globally, bringing you a world of market insights right to your doorstep.

Our team comprises of experts in construction market research, strategic consulting and commercial construction - delivering reliable and actionable intelligence. Working extensively across the construction industry supply chain, our clients often include contractors, building product manufacturers, trade associations, and related service organisations.

In the environmental and energy markets, our expertise spans various sub-sectors, serving multinational corporations in water and waste management, support service intermediaries, SMEs and public sector clients at national, regional and local levels.