ERM (consultancy) explained

ERM Limited
Type:UK private company limited by guarantee[1]
Location:London, United Kingdom[2]
Foundation: (through merger of UK-based ERL 1971 and USA-based ERM 1977)[3]
Area Served:Worldwide
Key People:Tom Reichert, CEO[4]
Industry:Professional services
Services:Environmental, health, safety, risk, social consulting services and sustainability related services
Owners:KKR & ERM partners
Revenue: US$1,323 million (2023)[5]
Num Employees:8,000 (2023)[6]

ERM (Environmental Resources Management) is a multinational consultancy firm which focuses on sustainability and the environment. It is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The company provides environmental, health, safety, risk, and social consulting services and sustainability related services.

History

ERM Limited was formed in 1987, through the merger of two companies: the UK-based consultancy firm ERL, which was founded in 1971; and the USA-based consultancy firm ERM, which was founded in 1977.[3]

The company has since grown through various acquisitions.[7] [8] [9]

During 2015, OMERS and AIMCo purchased a majority stake in ERM from Charterhouse Capital Partners.[10] In May 2021, a majority stake in the company was purchased from OMERS and AIMCo by American global investment company KKR, valuing the company at around $2.7 billion including debt.[10] [11] A minority stake continues to be held by ERM partners.

Projects

ERM prepared the environmental statement for High Speed 1, Britain's first dedicated modern high speed line, during the 1990s.[12] In the 2010s, a consortium led by ERM was awarded the environmental impact assessment work for part of the High Speed 2 programme. Other consortium members included Mott MacDonald and Temple Group.[13] [14]

The company has also performed environmental studies for international railway projects. In the 1990s, ERM was contracted to perform studies of multiple railway development proposals in Hong Kong.[15] [16] During the early 2010s, it worked on an air quality assessment for the prospeictve expansion of a South African manganese ore mining line at the behest of Transnet.[17] Around the same time period, ERM assessed the environmental compliance of a major train station on behalf of Brisbane City Council,[18] and a new rail corridor in Tanzania.[19]

ERM has frequently worked in the mining and energy sectors. The company produced the impact assessment for the Keystone Pipeline; critics accused it of having an conflict of interest by means of affiliation with proponents of the scheme.[20] During 2021, it performed an environmental impact assessment in Guyana for the American oil and gas corporation ExxonMobil; its work on the project became a controversial matter due to alleged errors.[21] [22] ERM also prepared the impact assessment for the Dakota Access Pipeline despite having an alleged conflict of interest in the scheme.[23] It also certified that the Batoka Gorge Hydroelectric Power Station, on the international border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, did not pose serious adverse effects on human settlement along the Zambezi River.[24] ERP performed the environemental and social impact assessment for exploratory drilling in São Tomé and Príncipe during the late 2010s.[25]

In 2022, the company was amongst several parties that were sued by a group of Houston residents that alleged misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment, wrongful death, and personal injury claims related to environmental pollution.[26]

In 2019, ERM received funding from the British government for Project Dolphyn, a project focused on green hydrogen production from offshore wind power.[27] [28]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ERM Limited . . 11 September 2020.
  2. Web site: About . ERM . 18 May 2021.
  3. Web site: History. ERM. 11 September 2020.
  4. Web site: Tom Reichert Joins ERM Group as Global CEO . ERM . 30 June 2024.
  5. Web site: Financial overview . ERM . 3 April 2024.
  6. Web site: Our People . 12 April 2024 . ERM . en.
  7. Web site: ERM acquires specialised media production safety consultancy . consultancy.uk . 12 April 2021.
  8. Web site: Critical Resource, ERM join to tackle ESG risks . mining.com . Amanda . Stutt . 4 March 2020 .
  9. Web site: ERM to acquire energy transition advisory Energetics . consultancy.uk . 10 June 2024 .
  10. Web site: KKR to Buy Sustainability Consultancy ERM From Canada Funds . 17 May 2021 . Bloomberg.
  11. Web site: KKR buys sustainability consultancy ERM at $3 billion valuation . consultancy.uk . 18 May 2021 .
  12. Web site: Channel Tunnel Rail Link . . 14 April 1994.
  13. Web site: ERM leads HS2 environment consortium . Tunnels Online . 29 March 2012 . 11 September 2020.
  14. Web site: HS2 Phase Two Initial Preferred Scheme: Sustainability Summary . assets.publishing.service.gov.uk . Nick . Giesler . January 2013.
  15. Web site: 1: Introduction . epd.gov.hk . May 2000.
  16. Web site: Penny's Bay Rail Link . epd.gov.hk . February 2000.
  17. Web site: AIR QUALITY BASELINE ASSESSMENT FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE EXISTING MANGANESE ORE RAILWAY LINE FROM HOTAZEL IN THE NORTHERN CAPE TO THE PORT OF NGQURA IN THE EASTERN CAPE . ERM . June 2013 .
  18. Web site: Request for Compliance Assessment . . Greg . Berry . 24 March 2014.
  19. Web site: Climate change is a threat to Africa's transport systems: what must be done . theconversation.com . 10 June 2021.
  20. Web site: Conflict of interest on Keystone? . politico.com . ANDREW . RESTUCCIA . BYRON . TAU . 16 December 2013.
  21. Web site: Questions mount on consultant hired for environment surveys on Exxon projects . stabroeknews.com/ . 27 December 2021 .
  22. Web site: Nokta says apology settles unauthorised use of signature on Yellowtail document . Shyam . Nokta . stabroeknews.com/ . 7 December 2021.
  23. Web site: 'Furious' at Army Corps, Tribe Calls for Public Support to Shut Down Dakota Access Pipeline . commondreams.org . Jon . Queally . 9 September 2023.
  24. Web site: Batoka power project clears ESIA hurdle . sundaymail.co.zw . 14 July 2019.
  25. Web site: Environmental, Social and Health Impact Assessment (ESHIA) for an exploratory and appraisal drilling programme in Block 6, São Tomé e Príncipe . ALP Energia São Tomé e Príncipe Unipessoal, Limitada . January 2019.
  26. Web site: Union Pacific Sued By Houston Residents Over Pollution . Janet . Miranda . news.bloomberglaw.com . 12 December 2022.
  27. Web site: Dolphyn hydrogen project receives £427,000 . H2 View . 17 September 2019 . 11 September 2020.
  28. Web site: Dolphyn project gets £3.1m for offshore wind-powered hydrogen production . . 18 February 2020.