About ERM
Sustainability is our business.
We are the world’s largest pure play sustainability consultancy. Founded in 1971, we are the largest advisory firm in the world focusing solely on sustainability, offering unparalleled depth and breadth of expertise.
We shape a sustainable future with the world’s leading organizations.
Our purpose guides everything we do. We create a better future by helping the world’s biggest brands address today’s sustainability imperatives.
We are the recognized market leader in sustainability services.
Numerous industry benchmarks attest to our market leadership and the majority of our work is sole-sourced, reflecting trusted partnerships we build with our clients. solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.
8000+ Professionals 40 Countries & territories ESG and Sustainability Consulting Leader Verdantix Green Quadrant 2024
150+ Offices
About ERM Korea
The ERM South Korea office in Seoul has an experienced team of specialist consultants who are dedicated to providing a full range of services to the power sector industries.
South Korea has seen a rapid increase in renewable energy projects, in particular offshore wind. Over the last few years, ERM has participated in the site selection and ESIA services for several onshore and offshore wind projects, which has enabled us to build experience, capacity and a vast environmental and social database.
+ Professionals
Our strong team are bilingual, familiar with local regulatory requirements and international standards and have extensive knowledge and experiences of sustainability issues faced in today’s business environment. Working along side ERM’s global network of 8,000+ world-class experts in more than 39 countries and decades of experience working with prominent conglomerates, multinational corporations, and government institutions, we are well positioned to help clients keep abreast of the latest environmental trends and shape sustainability strategies to build competitive advantage.
ERM Korea supports South Korean conglomerates managing sustainability challenges in their overseas projects; in developing sustainability strategies and compliance assurance programs for their global operations; by drawing on the expertise of ERM's global network to help our South Korean Clients to understanding and manage sustainability challenges in whichever territory they operate.
ERM's team of South Korean and international professionals based in Seoul are ideally suited to helping our global Clients to successfully navigate the South Korean business environment. ERM provides an unrivalled service offering for both local and international companies within the Korean peninsula.
Our History
ERL FOUNDED
1971 Founded in the UK
EXPANSION
1987
ERL operations in the UK, Hong Kong, Italy and Bahrain
ERL merged with ERM
1999 Offices open in South Korea
NEW PARTNERS
2005
Bridgepoint Capital bought 3i Group’s equity stake
Offices open in Russia and the United Arab Emirates
2006 Offices open in New Zealand
2008 Offices open in Panama
2010 Released new strategy - One Planet. One Company. ERM
2011 Charterhouse Capital Partners replaced Bridgepoint Capital as our private equity partner
NEW PARTNERS
2015
ERM partners with OMERS Private Equity (OPE) the private equity investment arm of the OMERS pension plan, to buy-out ERM in an off market bi-lateral process, from Charterhouse Capital Partners. The Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) co-invested in the transaction
LONG TERM INVESTMENT
2021
KKR, a leading global investment firm, acquires majority position in ERM with ERM’s management team and Partners remaining as minority investors
1977 ERM FOUNDED IN THE US
MANAGEMENT BUYOUT
2001
Venture capitalists 3i supported the management buyout
Acquired Ecobe in South Africa and the US environmental management information systems consultancy Enverdant
Offices open in Canada and South Africa
AQUISITIONS
2010 - 2023
IRC, Houston based risk consultancy
OASIS Environmental, Inc. an environmental services company
Rescan, a privately, Canadian-owned, environmental consulting firm
Zer01 Pty Ltd (Zer01) sustainability and health, safety and environmental assets of private Australiabased information solutions consulting firm
Natural Resource Group (NRG), a Minneapolis-based environmental consultancy
Safety Design A.S.,a Norwegian risk management consultancy based in Kristiansand, Norway
rePlan Inc., a Toronto-based company that provides social assessment, advisory and management services
JSC International, a regulatory affairs consultancy based in Harrogate in the UK
Pacific Environment Consulting and DLA,; Michael Pisani & Associates, Inc. (MP&A) BrownFlynn, Ltd a corporate sustainability and governance consulting business
Kathy Jones and Associates Pty Ltd (KJA), specialists in stakeholder engagement and communication consultancies based in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia
SustainAbility Ltd., advisory firm that inspires business to lead the way to a sustainable economy
CSA Global, a mining consultancy firm based in Perth, Western Australia
Contek Solutions LLC, a safety and environmental engineering company located in Plano, Texas
The Fifth Business, an integrated change management, communications, learning and design consultancy firm with office in Europe and North America
2020
Critical Resource, Ltd., sustainability advisory company providing expertise in assessing stakeholder, political and ESG (environmental, social and governance) risks for the mining and energy industry
M.J.Bradley & Associates, energy, climate change and sustainability advisory
2021
Arcus Consultancy Services, Ltd., renewable energy consultancy
Engineering Safety Consultants , global functional safety management and engineering consultancy
First Option Safety Group, health and safety business serving the media and entertainment sector
Sustainalize, sustainability consulting firm
E4tech, energy and sustainability strategy consultancy specializing in low-carbon technologies
Element Energy, specialist energy consultancy focusing on implementing integrated low-carbon technology solutions
The Renewables Consulting Group (RCG), global market intelligence, management consulting, and technical advisory firm
Stratos, Canada’s leading management consultancies focusing on ESG and sustainability
OPEX Group, AI and data science solutions provider helping carbon intensive industries to reduce emissions
2022
Point Advisory, Australian climate change and sustainability consultancy offering strategic and technical advice to businesses
MarineSpace, marine environment consultancy that advises clients on their largest and most complex marine development projects
Shelton Group, marketing communications agency based in the United States and focused exclusively on sustainability
Libryo, automated and cloud-based platform that helps organisations know the law that applies to their business, in every jurisdiction
2023
Coho, global climate adviser dedicated to helping clients navigate complexity and take ambitious steps on their climate journey
NINT, consultancy in Latin America focused on sustainable finance and ESG advisory for financial institutions, corporations, civil society and public sector organizations
ERM’s Recent acquisitions related to offshore wind
E4tech is an energy and sustainability strategy consultancy working internationally with a wide range of organizations to maximize opportunities in the clean energy transition.
RCG is an integrated market intelligence, management consulting and technical advisory firm with its roots firmly in the global renewable energy industry.
Element Energy is a specialist energy consultancy, providing rigorous and insightful analysis in the area of low and zero carbon energy – consulting on both technical and strategic issues, and covering all major low carbon energy sectors.
Arcus is a multi-disciplinary consultancy, specializing in high profile and potentially sensitive renewable energy developments – working across all stages of a development, from site selection and feasibility through to construction.
The
acquisitions Have added 200+ consultants to our global team
MarineSpace is marine environment consultancy that advises clients on their largest and most complex marine development projects.
Experience in South Korea
Experience in South Korea
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
+ Confidential Client (2021-2022), Critical Habitat Assessment and Marine Bird Survey, Alternative Assessment, Cumulative Impact Assessment, Climate Change Risk Screening, Noise Impact Assessment, Environmental and Social Management Plan and Decommissioning Management Plan for a 96 MW fixed bottom offshore wind farm in Shinan
Munmubaram (2021-Ongoing), 1.4 GW floating offshore wind farm off coast of Ulsan.
Jeonnam Offshore Wind Power Phase II (2021-Ongoing), 400 MW offshore wind farm.
Jeonnam Offshore Wind Power Phase III (2021-Ongoing), 400 MW offshore wind farm.
Confidential Client (2022 – Ongoing), 1.5 GW floating offshore wind farm off coast of Ulsan.
Confidential Client (2022 – Ongoing), 1.6 GW fixed bottom offshore wind farm off coast of Incheon.
Confidential Client (2022 – Ongoing) 1.6 GW floating offshore wind farm off coast of Ulsan
Confidential Client (2023 – Ongoing), 530 MW fixed bottom offshore wind farm off the coast of Yeonggwang-gun
Confidential Client (2024 – Ongoing), 600 MW Fixed bottom offshore wind farm off the coast of Jindo-gun
+ Confidential Client (2019) - two (2) potential sites for onshore wind farm.
+ Confidential Client (2019) 500 MW offshore wind farm in Jeollanam-Province, South Korea.
+ Confidential Client (2019), Southwestern Coast of South Korea for potential offshore wind farm developments.
+ Confidential Client (2019), entire southern coast of South Korea.
+ Confidential Client (2019), three (3) proposed locations for floating offshore wind farm development in Ulsan area of South Korea
+ Confidential Client (2020), three (3) potential sites and connection corridor for submarine cables on proposed floating offshore wind farm development in Ulsan area of South Korea.
+ Confidential Client (2020), two (2) floating offshore wind farms and transmission cable connection in Ulsan area of South Korea.
+ Confidential Client (2020), entire southern coast of South Korea (including Jeju island).
+ Confidential Client (2020), two (2) potential offshore development sites in South Jeolla Province.
+ Confidential Client (2020), one (1) area in South Jeolla Province.
+ Confidential Client (2021), three (3) potential sites for offshore development off Incheon coast.
+ Confidential Client (2021), three (3) potential sites for offshore development off Ulsan coast.
+ Confidential Client (2023), Environmental and social gap analysis for 530 MW fixed bottom offshore wind farm off the coast of Yeonggwang-gun
+ Confidential Client (2024), Environmental and social gap analysis for 507 MW fixed bottom offshore wind farm off the coast of Taean-gun
+ Confidential Client (2024), Environmental and social gap analysis for 40 and 96 MW fixed bottom offshore wind farm off the coast of Busan
Environmental and Social Due Diligence
+ GL Garrad Hassan (2002) 60 MW Yeong Yang Onshore Wind Farm Site.
+ Confidential Client (2018), 40 MW offshore wind farm development in Busan area.
+ Confidential Client (2019), 21 MW onshore wind farm development at Gangwon-Province, South Korea.
+ Confidential Client (2021) IFC PS and EP4 based Lender Environmental and Social Due Diligence for a 96 MW fixed bottom offshore windfarm development at Sinan.
+ Confidential Client (2022), 27 MW Onshore Wind Power Project in Gangwon Province.
Social Studies
Confidential Client (2021), Socio-Economic impact research of the effects of developing the Offshore Wind Power projects off Ulsan coast. ERM collaborated with Professor Hyomin Kim of the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), and Dr Jone Oh, the Chief Executive Officer of Blue Wind Engineering.
Confidential Client (2022) Stakeholders Engagement support for 200 MW offshore wind power project off Busan Coast.
Confidential Client (2022) Stakeholder identification and mapping exercise for 200 MW fixed bottom offshore wind power project off Busan Coast.
Other Studies
+ Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (2018), Developed a Legal Register for entire life cycle.
+ Vestas LR Development and EHS Audit (2000), Legal Register and EHS audits since 2000s.
+ Confidential Client (2022). Support for preparation of tender material and evaluation of proposals for EIA scope of work for a 1.6 GW Offshore Fixed Bottom Wind Power Project off Incheon coast
Project Site Screening
Constraint mapping techniques have long been used in site selection studies to bring together environmental, social, planning, and physical considerations into an overall assessment. This is achieved through the collation of layers of mapped information that display the features and constraints of an area to produce multi-layered constraint maps, which form the basis of evaluation for any unconstrained areas.
Constraint mapping provides a means to take account of any physical incompatibilities and potentially damaging environmental and/or social impacts in a structured and rigorous manner, through the use of the capabilities of GIS mapping.
ERM has developed an extensive database of environmental and social baseline data for South Korea through our work in supporting a number of onshore and offshore wind farm developments.
Information on over 100 different features have been collected by ERM and grouped in to seven (7) main categories:
+ Military and Aerial Restricted Areas;
+ Shipping and Vessel Operation;
+ Protected Areas and Biodiversity;
+ Fisheries;
+ Cultural Heritage;
+ Landscape and Recreational Areas;
+ Other Physical Constraints.
Environmental and Social Due Diligence
Environmental and Social Due Diligence (ESDD)
Our due diligence services help clients to enhance their mergers, acquisitions, and financing by ensuring that any environmental, health, safety, and sustainability issues and opportunities are accurately disclosed and anticipated. This protects their bottom line by creating more transparency around their potential liabilities.
ERM has an unrivalled track record in supporting time-sensitive, multilocation due diligence efforts. We identify, quantify, and prioritize current, contingent, and future EHSS exposures. By using probabilistic modeling for large sites or portfolios with a large numbers of assets, we are able to provide investors with
realistic on the cost, timing, and cash flow implications of potential liabilities. Our experience allows us to anticipate and proactively address such issues before transaction timelines are impacted.
ERM can identify any strengths and opportunities that may be able to enhance the sales process and value of a divestment.
ERM believes that through our operations in South Korea and our thorough understanding of the status of local environmental regulations related challenges and trends, we are able to apply our knowledge to assist our Clients to identify their liabilities and develop solutions that meet their needs.
Legal and Permit Register
Understanding the local permitting requirements for a development is essential for its success. With our depth of experience and extensive local team based in Seoul, ERM is able to provide support in understanding such requirements.
ERM is able to develop project specific legal and permit registers, and/or legal and permit registers for wider operations across the whole of South Korea, and can provide ongoing updates and advisory support on EHS regulatory matters throughout the lifecycle of a Project.
Support on the Tendering Process
The scope of the services provided by ERM South Korea focus on international projects, and as such, ERM South Korea has decided not to acquire a national licence to conduct the Local EIA. ERM South Korea is nevertheless able to provide local technical E&S support to our Clients in preparation of the tender process for the selection of local regulatory EIA consultants.
ERM is able to develop Project tailored tender documents/requests for proposals based on our experience in the energy sector and our detailed Project knowledge that we have acquired during previous site Selection activities.
ERM can then provide technical advisory during the bidding process including:
1. Preparation of Local EIA Tender Documentation;
2. Identification of Local EIA consultants
3. Reviewing Expressions of Interest and supporting the shortlisting of interested parties;
4. Technical Review of the submitted proposals with a focus on E&S capability, experience, and credentials
5. Technical review and support of the contracting process during clarifications
6. Support during interviews and the final selection process
Communication with Lenders
Stakeholder Engagement Plan
Stakeholder engagement is a determinant of a Project‘s success or failure. In South Korea, the local requirements specified in the EIA laws are minimal and often result in a vague and disingenuous approach to stakeholder engagement with limited transparency and/or lack of documentation/formal records
Increasingly in South Korea, the Ministry of Environment, Civil Society Organisations and NonGovernmental Organisations, are demanding a higher degree of engagement, transparency, and disclosure.
As a result of years of experience in performing Stakeholder Engagements, ERM is able to enhance Local EIA engagement strategies to comply with international standards.
Early communication with lender groups is considered to be vital. ERM has established its reputation with major international lenders by showcasing our expertise while working on multiple national and international projects.
Additionally, ERM is able to offer support to Clients when responding to the lender’s environmental and social consultants during the Environment and Social Due Diligence process.
ERM can offer support by:
+ Designing, managing and reviewing engagement processes;
+ Developing stakeholder engagement strategies, policies and guidelines;
+ Undertaking stakeholder profiling and analysis exercises as well as developing and managing complex interactive stakeholder databases;
+ Drafting and reviewing public disclosure and consultation plans;
+ Providing project related personnel training for stakeholder engagement;
+ Managing conflict and resolving disputes through mediation processes; and
+ Designing, managing and facilitating a wide range of interactive activities and events.
ESIA Report Development
Management Plan Development
The Korean Environmental Impact Assessment Act stipulates the establishment of Post-EIA Monitoring Program. ERM can translate the commitments described in the EIA into detailed Construction/Operation Environmental and Social Management Plans (CESMPs or OESMPs), which will ensure that the required mitigation measures and monitoring plans are conducted in a clear and timely manner.
Such Management Plans will be drafted so that they meet the standards of the international lenders.
The plans will include performance monitoring mechanisms and audit/inspection programs with corrective action procedures to ensure implementation of ESIA commitments and the continuous improvement of the environmental and social performance of the Projects.
Local EIA consultants generally do not have much experience with the standards of the international ESIA. Subsequently, large scale wind developments in Korea are likely present new challenges to local EIA consultants.
ERM is able to utilize its international experience to fill the gap between the requirements of a Local EIA and the selected Lenders’ Applicable Standards.
ERM has an extensive pool of Regional and Global Subject Matter Experts who are able to provide specialized insight on matters pertaining to wind power specific knowledge, marine mammals, birds, fisheries, social impact assessment, cumulative impact assessment, etc., that also have experience working on wind projects.
In addition, ERM is able to provide:
+ Technical advisory/review role in forming the Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) contract to ensure that all elements of the CESMP are captured;
+ Training the Client and EPC personnel on the management plans; and
+ Performing external audits or environmental and social performance monitoring exercises.
Digital systems & solutions
ERM’s digital backbone supports clients along their decarbonization journey
At the heart of our forecasting, modelling and research is the Global Renewable Infrastructure Project (GRIP) digital data hub. The authoritative source for essential offshore wind industry information.
Climate Risk, Impacts and Solutions Platform - a solution for assessing physical risks to our clients' assets.
REALISE is our proven workflow for renewable energy project value realisation. From prefeasibility market assessment to optimised site selection.
LEnS is our tool to assess project competitiveness for clients, in the context of an increasingly competitive market - at its heart is proprietary levelized cost of energy modelling.
Experience navigating all the decision gateways
Developing long-term global offshore wind strategy and market assessment. Market entry and development services in Asia.
The client wished to understand the regulatory framework in Spain for offshore wind and the most promising exploration areas. Conducted a market entry and screening study.
ESIA for wind farm in Djibouti supported by specialist scientific studies to focus the impact assessment on potentially significant E&S issues associated with the project.
Support to development of a solar plants in Italy in line with local procedures to gain environmental compatibility decree, construction permit and operation permit.
Managing construction phase for near-shore wind project in Vietnam as project director on behalf of the sponsor.
Supporting alignment on HSE by working with the client to develop a consistent culture and approach to HSE management for an offshore wind farm.
Early Stage Development Construction
Go-to-market, custom research, due diligence (TDD), and technical advisory for the client’s business in Asia Pacific. Floating wind advisory, project feasibility and site selection, and LCoE analysis.
Development application for a 100 MW solar facility in Australia. Biodiversity assessment, glare and visual assessment, and permitting and approval process.
Supported battery siting analysis and permitting for various locations across the US. Involved developing detailed GIS datasets, constraints analyses and permit pathways.
ERM performed an H&S regulatory review and compliance assessment for a 288 MW offshore wind farm in the German North Sea.
Provided lifecycle carbon assessments for naturebased biofuels in Hawaii. This involved assessing direct emissions, as well as sequestration rates, for growth crop.
Operation
Lenders' Technical Advisor and construction monitoring for a 40 MW solar project in Alberta, Canada.
ERM performed reviews of activity-specific (e.g. boat landing, diving and work at height) H&S Risk Assessment and Method Statements for offshore maintenance in Germany.
Reviewed the HSE risks associated with potential technologies to be used in decommissioning of several offshore wind meteorological monitoring masts in North-Western Europe.
Following a natural disaster, ERM provided environmental compliance monitoring services during restoration/ construction of a wind farm in California.
Global Insurer's Engineer for AXIS Capital – one of world's largest insurers of renewables assets –risk surveys, and complex claim support.
Late Life
Supported an acquisition process with a due diligence and repowering critical issues analysis related to the repowering of an existing wind power portfolio in the US.
Operational phase due diligence and life-extension assessment for potential acquisition.
Implemented a sound environmental protection and monitoring program to see hydroelectric facility in the US through its environmental compliance transition from construction into operation.
Contact information
Seung Hyun Kwak
Country Managing Partner
+82 10 3176 6231 seunghyun.kwak@erm.com
Mark Watson
Joseph Park Associate Partner Capital Project Delivery
+82 10 5119 1098 joseph.park@erm.com
NaeYoon Kang Partner M&A
+82 10 3783 9068 naeyoon.kang@erm.com
ERM Korea
12th floor, Samhwa Tower, 16 Eulji-ro 5-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (04539)
Tel: +82 2 714 9092 Fax: +82 2 714 9096 E-mail:info.Korea@erm.com
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