As part of our response to the pandemic, ERM launched Standing Together, a $200,000 COVID-19 Recovery Fund to help some of our longer-term nonprofit partners navigate the pandemic, help mitigate the negative impacts of this crisis, and invest in research collaborations that contribute to thought leadership.

Through the ERM Foundation, we have disbursed $100,000 in grant funding and committed $50,000 in pro bono professional time to support eight longer-term nongovernmental organization partners that are working to protect biodiversity, improve access to renewable energy, invest in women's livelihoods in the “green” economy, and improve access to water and sanitation during the pandemic. 

In addition, we invested $50,000 on thought leadership. We invited employees from around the world to submit ideas for collaborative research-led projects that draw on lessons learned to mitigate the impacts of the current pandemic or reduce the risks or impact of future outbreaks of emerging infectious disease. We selected two projects to support:

• An ERM team in Thailand is working with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to explore how COVID-19 has impacted greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the waste sector, particularly plastic waste in cities.
• In the United States, a team is working with the Capitals Coalition to improve understanding of the impact that natural, social, human and produced capital has on community well-being and resilience in response to COVID-19.