ERM
Professional services
UnclaimedA global consultancy specializing in environmental, sustainability, health, safety, risk, and social-impact services.
Last updated August 31, 2026
Overview
ERM, short for Environmental Resources Management, is a multinational professional-services consultancy focused on environmental management, sustainability, climate transition, health and safety, risk, and social performance. The firm advises companies, investors, governments, and infrastructure developers on the environmental and social consequences of projects and on the integration of sustainability into corporate strategy and operations. Its work commonly combines technical studies, regulatory and permitting advice, impact assessment, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and implementation support. The modern ERM organization was created in 1987 through the merger of two predecessor businesses: the United Kingdom-based Environmental Resources Limited, established in 1971, and a United States-based consultancy also operating under the ERM name, established in 1977. The merger created a broader international platform at a time when environmental regulation, project-impact assessment, and corporate responsibility were becoming increasingly important to industrial and infrastructure clients. ERM subsequently expanded through organic growth and acquisitions, developing a presence across multiple regions and sectors. ERM has worked in transport, energy, mining, natural resources, industry, infrastructure, and the public sector. Its transport-related assignments have included environmental work for High Speed 1 in the United Kingdom, studies associated with rail proposals in Hong Kong, environmental and air-quality assessments connected with rail and mining infrastructure in Southern Africa, and work on other major rail and station projects. The firm has also participated in environmental impact assessment for part of the High Speed 2 program through a consortium involving Mott MacDonald and Temple Group. Energy and extractive-industry assignments have been an important part of the firm's portfolio. ERM has prepared or contributed to environmental and social assessments for pipelines, mining-related infrastructure, offshore and onshore energy projects, hydroelectric development, and exploratory drilling. These engagements have also exposed the consultancy to public scrutiny. Critics have questioned potential conflicts of interest in connection with certain pipeline assignments, and ERM's environmental assessment work for an ExxonMobil-related project in Guyana attracted controversy over alleged errors. In 2022, Houston residents brought claims against several parties, including ERM, alleging misrepresentation, concealment, wrongful death, and personal injury in connection with environmental pollution. The firm's ownership changed materially in the 2010s and 2020s. OMERS and AIMCo acquired a majority interest from Charterhouse Capital Partners in 2015. In May 2021, KKR acquired a majority stake from OMERS and AIMCo in a transaction reported to value ERM at approximately $2.7 billion including debt; ERM partners retained a minority interest. ERM has also participated in innovation and transition initiatives, including Project Dolphyn, a British government-supported effort examining green hydrogen production using offshore wind power. ERM's market positioning is that of a specialist sustainability and environmental adviser rather than a conventional generalist management consultancy. Its value proposition rests on combining scientific and engineering expertise with regulatory knowledge, social-impact analysis, and strategic advice. The firm operates internationally and serves clients undertaking complex projects or transition programs where environmental performance, climate objectives, permitting, community relations, and social risk are material to delivery and reputation.
History
ERM was formed in 1987 through the merger of two environmental consultancies with separate national origins. Environmental Resources Limited, or ERL, had been established in the United Kingdom in 1971, while a United States-based ERM business had been founded in 1977. Their combination created an international consultancy able to advise clients across environmental regulation, project development, industrial risk, and resource management. The firm grew over subsequent decades through a combination of international expansion and acquisitions. Its assignments broadened from conventional environmental studies into environmental, health, and safety management; impact assessment; social performance; sustainability strategy; climate-related advisory work; and technical risk. This expansion reflected the increasing importance of environmental permitting, community relations, climate policy, biodiversity, supply-chain responsibility, and nonfinancial corporate reporting to major projects and businesses. ERM developed a substantial infrastructure practice. During the 1990s it prepared the environmental statement for High Speed 1, the United Kingdom's first dedicated modern high-speed railway line. It also undertook studies for several proposed railway developments in Hong Kong. During the early 2010s, the firm worked on an air-quality assessment associated with a possible expansion of a South African manganese-ore rail line for Transnet, assessed environmental compliance at a major railway station for Brisbane City Council, and worked on a new rail corridor in Tanzania. In the United Kingdom, a consortium led by ERM was later appointed to undertake environmental impact assessment work for part of the High Speed 2 program, alongside Mott MacDonald and Temple Group. Energy and mining became another major area of activity. ERM prepared the environmental impact assessment for the Keystone Pipeline and was involved in work related to the Dakota Access Pipeline. Both assignments attracted criticism from opponents who alleged that relationships or affiliations connected with project proponents could create conflicts of interest. ERM also prepared or contributed to assessments for the Batoka Gorge Hydroelectric Power Station on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border, exploratory drilling in São Tomé and Príncipe, and an ExxonMobil-related development in Guyana. The Guyana work drew public criticism over alleged errors. These matters illustrate the tension inherent in environmental consultancy: firms are commissioned by project developers but their technical assessments can influence regulators, communities, lenders, and other stakeholders. Ownership shifted as ERM matured into a large international advisory business. In 2015, OMERS and AIMCo acquired a majority stake from Charterhouse Capital Partners. In May 2021, KKR purchased a majority stake from those pension investors in a deal reported at approximately $2.7 billion including debt. ERM partners continued to hold a minority interest. The transaction placed the company under the ownership of a major global investment firm while preserving an equity role for partners. ERM has also participated in applied innovation relating to the energy transition. In 2019, the British government provided funding for Project Dolphyn, focused on producing green hydrogen using offshore wind power. The initiative reflected ERM's movement beyond compliance-oriented consulting toward work on decarbonization technologies and transition pathways. The firm's recent identity is that of a global specialist professional-services organization serving clients with complex environmental and social challenges. Its work spans technical engineering and science, permitting, risk, climate strategy, sustainability, social assessment, and implementation. At the same time, litigation and criticism related to selected projects demonstrate the reputational and legal exposure associated with providing assessments for controversial infrastructure and extractive developments.
- 2021
KKR becomes majority owner
[1]KKR acquires a majority stake from OMERS and AIMCo; ERM partners retain a minority interest.
- 2019
Project Dolphyn receives British government funding
[1]ERM receives support for a green-hydrogen project linking offshore wind power with hydrogen production.
- 2015
Majority ownership passes to OMERS and AIMCo
[1]OMERS and AIMCo acquire a majority stake in ERM from Charterhouse Capital Partners.
- 1990
High Speed 1 environmental work
[1]ERM prepares the environmental statement for High Speed 1 in the United Kingdom during the 1990s.
- 1987
ERM is formed through merger
[1]The UK-based ERL and the US-based ERM businesses combine to form ERM Limited.
- 1977
United States ERM predecessor is founded
[1]A separate United States-based consultancy operating under the ERM name is established.
- 1971
Environmental Resources Limited is founded
[1]A United Kingdom-based predecessor of modern ERM, Environmental Resources Limited, is established.
Products and positioning
A global specialist consultancy for environmental management, sustainability, climate transition, technical risk, and social performance, particularly for complex infrastructure, energy, mining, and industrial projects.
Environmental consulting
Environmental impact assessment
ERM assesses the likely environmental and social effects of major infrastructure, energy, mining, transport, and industrial projects. Assignments may address air, water, land, biodiversity, communities, and regulatory requirements, supporting permitting and project decisions.
Sustainability consulting
Sustainability and climate advisory
The firm's sustainability work helps organizations address climate transition, decarbonization, environmental performance, sustainability strategy, and related corporate risks. It extends ERM's traditional environmental expertise into strategic and operational transformation.
Risk and compliance consulting
Environmental, health, safety, and risk consulting
ERM provides technical and management advice on environmental compliance, occupational health and safety, operational risk, process risk, and corporate systems. The offering is relevant to industrial companies and project developers managing regulatory and operational exposure.
Social-impact consulting
Social performance and stakeholder engagement
ERM advises on social impact, community relations, stakeholder engagement, human-rights considerations, and social risk associated with projects. These services are particularly relevant where infrastructure or resource development affects local communities.
Energy-transition innovation · 2019
Project Dolphyn
Project Dolphyn is an ERM-associated initiative focused on producing green hydrogen using electricity from offshore wind power. British government funding supported the project in 2019.
Controversies
2022
Houston pollution litigation
Houston residents sued several parties, including ERM, alleging misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment, wrongful death, and personal injury connected with environmental pollution.
2021
Controversy over Guyana environmental assessment
ERM's environmental impact assessment work connected with an ExxonMobil project in Guyana became controversial amid allegations that the assessment contained errors.
Brand decisions
2021
Transfer majority ownership to KKRM&ABackground
ERM continued to operate as a large global specialist consultancy under majority ownership by OMERS and AIMCo.
Action taken
KKR acquired the majority stake from OMERS and AIMCo, while ERM partners retained a minority position.
Aftermath
ERM remained privately held under KKR control, with the transaction reported to value the business at approximately $2.7 billion including debt.
Reported transaction value including debt. Approximately $2.7 billion (2021)
2019
Advance offshore-wind green hydrogen developmentOtherBackground
Energy transition and low-carbon technology were becoming increasingly important areas for environmental and sustainability advisers.
Action taken
ERM pursued Project Dolphyn, focused on producing green hydrogen from offshore wind power, with British government funding.
Aftermath
The project represented ERM's involvement in applied decarbonization and emerging-energy innovation.
2015
Accept majority investment from OMERS and AIMCoM&ABackground
ERM had expanded into a multinational environmental and sustainability consultancy and was owned by Charterhouse Capital Partners.
Action taken
OMERS and AIMCo purchased a majority stake in ERM.
Aftermath
The transaction provided a new ownership structure before the later sale of majority control to KKR.
Recent events
- 2021
KKR acquires majority stake in ERM[1]
M&A
KKR acquired a majority interest in ERM from OMERS and AIMCo in a transaction reported to value the company at about $2.7 billion including debt, while ERM partners retained a minority stake.
- 2019
British government supports Project Dolphyn[1]
Product launch · Other
ERM received British government funding for Project Dolphyn, an initiative examining green hydrogen production from offshore wind power.
- 2015
OMERS and AIMCo acquire majority stake in ERM[1]
M&A
Canadian pension investors OMERS and AIMCo purchased a majority interest in ERM from Charterhouse Capital Partners.
Sources2 sources
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