Description

Senior ESG and Sustainability Consultant with extensive experience supporting organizations on ESG integration, CSRD alignment, compliance, and risk analysis.

I’ve worked across corporate investment and international development finance contexts, advising on environmental and social risk management, sustainability governance, and regulatory-driven ESG requirements. My work includes ESG due diligence, portfolio monitoring, and advisory support aligned with international standards and EU sustainability frameworks.

I am particularly experienced in bridging sustainability, compliance, and risk functions, helping organizations translate ESG requirements into practical, decision-ready insights.

I work primarily remotely and support clients across Europe and international markets on ESG strategy, CSRD readiness, and sustainability-related risk and compliance projects.

Industry field of expertise

Languages

English
Native or bilingual
Dutch
Fluent
Turkish
Native or bilingual

Workplace preferences

Remote only

Primarily works remotely

Invest International
ESG Advisor
CONSULTING AND AUDITS
April 2022 - Today (4 years and 2 months)
The Hague, Netherlands
Senior Corporate ESG and Sustainability professional working at the intersection of investment, risk, and sustainability.

Leading and supporting ESG integration across international investment portfolios in emerging and frontier markets, with a strong focus on CSRD alignment, compliance, and risk analysis.

Responsibilities include environmental and social due diligence, ongoing monitoring, and advisory support in line with IFC Performance Standards, UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), and EU sustainability regulations.

Actively collaborating with investment teams, legal, and risk functions to assess ESG risks, strengthen governance structures, and support decision-making throughout the investment lifecycle.
ESG CSRD Sustainable development Finance sector
AIIB
Social Development Specialist
BANKING AND INSURANCE
January 2021 - March 2022 (1 year and 2 months)
Beijing, China
Worked as an Environmental and Social Safeguards Consultant supporting infrastructure and development projects financed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

Contributed to the assessment and implementation of environmental and social risk management frameworks, including review of project documentation, compliance checks, and alignment with international safeguard standards.

Supported project teams on environmental and social risk analysis, stakeholder considerations, and mitigation measures across transport, energy, and urban development projects in Asia.

Gained hands-on experience working in a multilateral development bank environment and collaborating with international stakeholders, consultants, and public sector counterparts.
Sustainable development Risk analysis Compliance ESG Reporting

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Masters
University of London
2023
International Development
Bachelors
Hacettepe UniversitySoviology
2007
Sociology

GRI
Global Reporting Initiative
2024
Business analysis Reporting Sustainable development
CFA ESG
CFA
2023
Finance sector Sustainable development

Merve Birgul

ESG & Sustainability Specialist

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