The carnstone brand has become a recognised name in the field of sustainability consulting and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) advisory. Initially established as an independent firm, Carnstone has grown into a key component of SLR Consulting’s global sustainability practice.
Origins of Carnstone
Carnstone was founded as a boutique consultancy dedicated to corporate responsibility, environmental sustainability, and ethical business management. From the outset, it focused on helping multinational companies design and implement sustainability strategies that aligned with both business objectives and social impact goals. Its philosophy revolved around collaboration and transparency, enabling it to support industries such as retail, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, media, and finance. Over time, Carnstone expanded internationally, opening offices in London, Shanghai, and across Europe to serve an increasingly global client base.
Core Expertise of Carnstone
The firm developed deep expertise in multiple sustainability disciplines, combining analytical rigour with pragmatic strategy design. Its service portfolio included:
Climate Strategy and Net Zero Roadmaps
Carnstone guided organisations in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, setting science-based targets, and aligning business models with global climate goals. It helped clients understand the transition to net-zero economies through data-driven scenario modelling and lifecycle analysis.
Responsible Supply Chains and Human Rights
Recognising the social risks embedded in global supply chains, Carnstone advised on responsible sourcing, human rights due diligence, and labour standards compliance. Its teams worked with businesses to trace material origins, prevent exploitation, and enhance transparency across complex supplier networks.
Biodiversity and Natural Capital
In anticipation of nature-related regulations and growing investor scrutiny, Carnstone supported companies in managing biodiversity impacts and dependencies. It helped design biodiversity action plans and nature-positive strategies to complement carbon initiatives.
ESG Reporting and Assurance
Carnstone assisted organisations in preparing ESG reports aligned with frameworks such as GRI, SASB, and TCFD. The firm also provided independent assurance and internal process reviews to ensure credibility and accuracy in disclosures.
Community and Social Impact
Beyond environmental performance, Carnstone placed emphasis on community relations, philanthropy, and social value creation. Its consultants helped design programmes that fostered trust between corporations and local communities, focusing on measurable impact.
By integrating these domains, Carnstone earned a reputation as a consultancy capable of connecting strategy with on-the-ground execution.
The Acquisition by SLR Consulting
In mid-2023, SLR Consulting announced its acquisition of Carnstone. The decision was driven by a strategic goal to strengthen SLR’s ESG and sustainability advisory capabilities worldwide. Carnstone’s niche expertise and SLR’s large-scale technical capacity made the merger mutually beneficial.
Enhancing ESG Capacity
SLR recognised Carnstone’s ability to deliver social and environmental strategy at board level, complementing its own engineering and environmental services. The acquisition immediately deepened SLR’s bench strength in corporate sustainability.
Expanding Geographical Reach
Carnstone’s presence in Asia and Europe provided SLR with broader coverage, enabling it to serve clients in new regions and industries. Together, they could deliver projects that spanned multiple jurisdictions and regulatory environments.
Shared Culture and Values
Both organisations emphasised ethical conduct, professional development, and evidence-based advice. Their shared values eased integration and preserved Carnstone’s distinct culture within the larger firm.
Greater Scalability
The merger enabled joint projects that link advisory and implementation services — for instance, combining sustainability strategy with environmental impact assessments or permitting work — something many standalone consultancies cannot achieve.
Life After the Merger
After the acquisition, Carnstone’s teams, processes, and client relationships were integrated into SLR’s global network. The company name now often appears as “SLR (formerly Carnstone)” in professional directories and industry publications. Clients benefit from continuity of service with the added advantage of global resources and multidisciplinary support.
Internally, the integration has led to a broader set of service offerings, from ESG advisory to technical environmental management. Cross-selling opportunities have emerged, and teams now operate with access to SLR’s data tools, laboratories, and technical experts. This alignment strengthens the combined firm’s credibility across industries seeking practical sustainability solutions.
Why the Carnstone Legacy Still Matters
Despite the merger, the carnstone legacy continues to carry weight in the sustainability and ESG sectors. There are several key reasons why the name retains its importance.
Established Reputation
Carnstone built trust over decades through its impartial, thoughtful, and evidence-based approach. Its name remains synonymous with credibility and integrity in sustainability consulting.
Specialist Knowledge
Few consultancies can match the depth of Carnstone’s expertise in supply chain human rights, biodiversity assessment, and ESG disclosure. Its intellectual capital remains integral to SLR’s operations today.
Alignment with Emerging Trends
The sustainability landscape now demands integrated expertise in carbon, biodiversity, and human rights — exactly the areas Carnstone excelled in. The firm was ahead of its time in recognising that ESG requires systemic, not siloed, thinking.
Continued Global Impact
Many of Carnstone’s clients remain long-term partners, relying on its teams (now within SLR) for evolving ESG challenges. Its methods continue to shape corporate responsibility practices across sectors.
Challenges and Opportunities
As ESG consulting becomes mainstream, Carnstone’s integrated approach faces both challenges and opportunities.
Challenges
The market has grown crowded, with major audit firms, sustainability boutiques, and digital platforms competing for the same clients. Maintaining differentiation through deep subject matter expertise is crucial. Additionally, the global regulatory environment is shifting fast — companies need updated guidance to comply with evolving frameworks such as CSRD in Europe or SEC disclosure rules in the United States.
Cultural integration after acquisitions can also be challenging. Balancing the agility of a small advisory with the structure of a larger organisation requires careful management and communication.
Opportunities
The demand for credible ESG guidance is higher than ever. Governments are introducing mandatory reporting and due diligence laws, opening opportunities for advisory firms with proven experience in compliance and transparency. The growing focus on biodiversity and natural capital offers another expansion area, as more businesses seek to understand and disclose their dependencies on nature.
There is also an opportunity in technology integration. Firms that can combine ESG expertise with data analytics, AI-driven assessment tools, and scenario modelling will lead the next phase of sustainability consulting. SLR’s technical foundation, combined with Carnstone’s advisory insight, positions the partnership to seize this opportunity effectively.
Lessons from the Carnstone Approach
Organisations seeking sustainability partners can learn much from Carnstone’s methods.
1. Combine Strategy with Execution
A clear sustainability strategy is useless without implementation. Carnstone demonstrated that practical delivery — from data collection to change management — is what drives real progress.
2. Emphasise Transparency
Clients appreciated Carnstone’s open communication and methodological clarity. In an age where accusations of greenwashing are common, transparency is a competitive advantage.
3. Value Multidisciplinary Expertise
Sustainability intersects with economics, law, ecology, and technology. Firms that understand these overlaps can craft more effective, realistic strategies.
4. Prioritise Local Context
Carnstone’s international experience taught it the importance of local realities. A sustainability strategy that works in the UK may not suit China or the Middle East; tailoring is essential.
5. Adapt to Change
Regulations, stakeholder expectations, and investor demands evolve constantly. Carnstone’s success lay partly in its ability to adapt quickly and anticipate change rather than react to it.
6. Foster Shared Ownership
True sustainability transformation happens when responsibility is shared across leadership, employees, and communities. Carnstone often structured its engagements to encourage collaboration rather than dependency.
The Future of ESG and the Carnstone Influence
The integration of Carnstone into SLR illustrates a broader industry trend: the merging of strategic consultancy with technical implementation capability. As sustainability becomes embedded in corporate strategy, firms require partners who can handle both planning and execution.
The Carnstone legacy contributes several enduring strengths to this model. Its emphasis on integrity ensures that ESG remains more than a compliance exercise; it becomes a driver of long-term value creation. Its experience in stakeholder engagement helps clients navigate the social dimensions of sustainability, while its technical grounding ensures measurable results.
Going forward, as investors demand stronger climate and nature disclosures, and as supply chains face new transparency laws, the expertise once housed in Carnstone will remain central to shaping the sustainability landscape. SLR’s ability to harness that legacy and scale it globally will likely define its success in the coming decade.
Conclusion
The story of carnstone is one of evolution and influence. From a small, mission-driven consultancy to a vital part of a global sustainability powerhouse, Carnstone has left a lasting mark on how organisations understand and manage ESG challenges. Its integration into SLR Consulting amplifies that impact, merging purpose with scale and strategy with execution.
For companies navigating the complex world of environmental and social responsibility, the Carnstone model offers a valuable blueprint: combine expertise with authenticity, pair ambition with practicality, and keep sustainability at the heart of business transformation.
