Established in 2018, CSR Consulting is an environmental consultancy that guides businesses in transitioning to more sustainable business models and integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into their core operations. Led by the visionary leader and trailblazer, PhD Carmelo Santillán Ramos, CSR Consulting is the sole certified EcoVadis consultant in Mexico.
Carmelo Santillán Ramos: A Resilientist’s Journey to Empowering Sustainability
Carmelo is an industry veteran with over a decade of experience in sustainability in Spain and Mexico. He holds a degree in industrial engineering from the University of Burgos and has honed his expertise in sustainability through various certifications. These include LEED Green Associate from the GREEN BUSINESS CERTIFICATION INC, Carbon Auditing Professional from the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), Certified Energy Manager from the AEE, Certified Approved EcoVadis Consultant from EcoVadis, and Certificate in ESG Analysis from the Santiago Stock Exchange in partnership with the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.
In 2018, Carmelo founded CSR Consulting, which has since become a leading consultancy in sustainability and circular economy practices in Mexico. Along this journey, he completed a PhD in Sustainability, focusing on climate change. Carmelo has held leadership roles in several sustainability-related organizations, including his current positions as a member of the Climate Change Council in the state of Nuevo León, Mexico, Sustainability Advisor for the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Mexico, and Leader of the Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility Committee at the Agrifood Cluster of the State of Nuevo León. Additionally, he is a member of the sustainability committee of the Mexican Association of Investors.
The Significant Leadership principles
As a leader, Carmelo strongly believes in leading by example. Sustainability is a core value in both his professional and personal life, and this commitment guides all his decisions. Another key principle is empowerment. He encourages his team to take ownership of projects and develop a sense of accountability for the outcomes. Lastly, adaptability is essential in a field as fast-evolving as sustainability. Carmelo strives to stay open to new ideas and integrate the latest innovations to improve the services. In recent years, Carmelo has focused on EcoVadis, where CSR Consulting is the only authorized partner in Mexico for its consultancy services.
Empowering Team to Embrace Sustainable Practices
The team at CSR Consulting incorporates sustainability as part of the company’s DNA, emphasizing that it is not just a trend but a responsibility everyone should share. The leading man motivates his team by connecting their work to tangible results, showing how their actions contribute to a better future. Through certifications such as EcoVadis and Carbon Neutral, he has implemented a structured approach to sustainability consulting, which excites the team by aligning personal values with professional goals.
Overcoming the Leadership Challenge Along the Way
Carmelo faced a leadership challenge during his involvement in Banorte’s Green Roof Educational Program. The challenge was integrating and raising awareness among various internal and external stakeholders about sustainability. These stakeholders included employees and their families, suppliers, and external organizations such as the Autonomous University of Nuevo León and the Youth Institute. The challenge was coordinating educational activities and maintaining the interest of all participants to ensure each group benefited meaningfully. To overcome this, Carmelo implemented an inclusive and adaptable approach, tailoring content and activities to each group’s needs. Additionally, he promoted cross-departmental collaboration, which helped the program exceed its initial goal by 20%, with a total of 4,800 visitors. This achievement solidified the program’s positive impact and increased commitment to environmental care.
An Edge Over the Peers
CSR Consulting sets itself apart from its peers with its numerous certifications and focus on integrating circular economy principles into its solutions. The firm offers a unique blend of services that combines sustainability with operational efficiency, helping clients reduce costs and improve their environmental performance. Additionally, the organization has outperformed competitors by receiving over 20 awards in 6 different countries within 4 years. Another distinction is that it was the first consultancy in Latin America to be certified as carbon neutral and the only EcoVadis authorized partner in the region.
Optimizing Revenues and Reducing Operational Costs
Carmelo and his team actively leverage the latest technologies in energy management systems, such as ISO 50001, and tools like EcoVadis and Carbon Neutral. These tools allow them to measure and reduce carbon footprints while optimizing energy consumption. Additionally, the team has experience in ESG reporting, diagnostics, and audits, helping companies access investment opportunities while improving their sustainability ratings.
The Future of Sustainability Consulting
In the next 5–10 years, Carmelo foresees a growing demand for specialized sustainability consulting, particularly CSR consulting. Regulatory pressures and evolving consumer and shareholder demands drive this trend. Consultancies like CSR Consulting will play a crucial role in leading businesses towards more sustainable business models.
The Major Hurdles in Latin America and Spain
In Latin America, one of the major challenges is access to financing for sustainable projects, which can be a barrier for companies aiming to make significant green investments. In Spain, regulatory compliance is a challenge due to the complexity of the European Union’s sustainability laws. Despite these obstacles, both regions are experiencing a growing awareness of the importance of sustainability, which is driving change.
The Potential Risks and Challenges Associated with AI
Artificial intelligence offers opportunities and challenges. It can automate sustainability reporting and data analysis, but there is a risk of relying too much on AI and lacking human oversight. To address this, it is essential to combine AI-driven insights with the expert judgment of sustainability professionals. AI should be seen as a tool to enhance, not replace, human expertise.
The Key Areas of Growth at CSR Consulting
CSR Consulting is focused on expanding its consulting services by helping more companies navigate the complexity of ESG reporting and certifications, articulary with frameworks like EcoVadis. The company also aims to strengthen its position in renewable energy consulting and carbon footprint reduction initiatives. “We plan to increase our educational services, offering more training programs to help companies integrate sustainability into their operations,” Carmelo further shares.
The Significance of Renewable Energy in Sustainability
Renewable energy will be central to the future of sustainability. As countries move away from fossil fuels, companies will need to invest heavily in renewable sources to remain competitive. Carmelo believes renewable energy will soon become the driving force behind sustainability strategies, particularly as costs continue to fall and technology advances.
The Future Roadmap
Looking ahead, Carmelo plans to establish CSR Consulting as a leader in sustainability consulting and circular economy in Latin America and Spain. He shares, “We will continue helping companies achieve high sustainability ratings through frameworks like EcoVadis, and we will also expand our presence in the renewable energy sector. We aim to stay at the forefront of sustainability consulting, delivering measurable results for clients and contributing to a more sustainable world.”