ERM, the world’s largest specialist sustainability consultancy, has been named as an ESG and Sustainability Consulting Leader in new research from independent analyst firm Verdantix.

The Green Quadrant: ESG and Sustainability Consulting 2024 report from Verdantix provides a benchmark of the most prominent ESG and sustainability consulting providers in the market. ERM features in the Leaders’ Quadrant and achieves the highest score among all firms on the capabilities dimension of the assessment.

ERM was particularly commended for its operational transformation capabilities, scoring highest among all firms in this category. The report highlights the shift in the market to an era of implementation and notes ERM’s “strong abilities across decarbonization, nature, water, circular economy, product stewardship and supply chains”.

Verdantix also awarded ERM the highest score among firms measured in the ESG financial advisory services category. It describes ERM’s “best-in-class ESG financial advisory services” spanning areas including portfolio management, ESG due diligence, the development of ESG debt frameworks and impact investing.

In addition, ERM received the joint highest score for the breadth and depth of its ESG and sustainability offer. Verdantix notes the firm’s expertise across sectors, and comments that “ERM is particularly well-suited to industries facing severe sustainability and transition changes, such as energy, mining, technology and chemicals.”

The report finds that the ESG and consulting market has grown substantially, in terms of client demand and the number of firms offering services, over the last two years. Verdantix attributes this growth to factors including regulatory developments; the evolving priorities of customers, employees, and investors; closer board scrutiny of ESG performance; competitive pressure; and an increasing risk of litigation and reputational damage.

Tom Reichert, Group CEO at ERM said: “Companies across all sectors are focused on delivering on their sustainability strategies and driving change at the pace and scale needed. This new research from Verdantix provides businesses with an invaluable guide to help them navigate and make better decisions in the rapidly evolving ESG and sustainability consulting market.

“ERM is proud to feature in the Leaders’ Quadrant and achieve the highest scores on the capabilities assessment. It’s fantastic recognition of the impact we have helping our clients to integrate sustainability into their business strategies and enhance sustainability performance in critical areas such as products and supply chain.

“As the market continues to expand, we look forward to helping more organizations tackle their sustainability challenges and drive competitive advantage through sustainability transformation.”

Dr Priyanka Bawa, Senior Analyst, ESG & Sustainability at Verdantix said: “Our research shows us that firms are updating their sustainability strategies and balancing multiple priorities as they improve sustainability performance. ESG-related regulations are putting substantial pressure on organizations worldwide, as are changing stakeholder preferences and leadership vision.”

“Organizations are realizing that internal expertise and bandwidth are not enough to navigate a quickly evolving sustainability landscape. Working with an ESG and sustainability consulting partner can enable organizations to move faster along their sustainability journeys and take advantage of best practices.”

Notes to Editors

Verdantix assessed 17 ESG and sustainability consulting providers using a 72-point questionnaire, two-hour live briefings, and interviews with more than 37 ESG and sustainability consulting clients across a variety of industries, spanning finance and insurance, technology, retail and consumer goods, energy and utilities, manufacturing, construction and mining. The resulting analysis is based on the proprietary Verdantix Green Quadrant methodology, which is designed to provide an evidence-based, objective assessment of vendors offering comparable products or services.

About ERM

Sustainability is our business.

As the largest global specialist sustainability consultancy, ERM partners with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

ERM’s diverse team of 8,000+ world-class experts in over 150 offices in 40 countries and territories help clients drive sustainability at pace and scale through combining strategic transformation and technical delivery capabilities. ERM calls this its “boots to boardroom” approach - a comprehensive service model that helps organizations to accelerate the integration of sustainability into their strategy and operations. Learn more.