Committing to a global net-zero roadmap
We have committed to a comprehensive roadmap to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
Our strategy follows guidance from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) based on limiting global heating by 1.5C within the next 100 years.
The roadmap has been verified by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) which is established with backing from the United Nations Global Compact and the Worldwide Fund for Nature to ensure strategies are robust, achievable and measurable. We are one of only 750 companies worldwide with a verified approach to addressing the climate crisis.
The strategy seeks to break new ground by tackling both direct and indirect emissions generated by our global operations, including that of our value chain.
It is supported by a business-wide campaign – NewLeaf – to drive behavioural change in how emissions are understood, measured and reduced.
Direct emissions, known as Scope 1 emissions, include energy use at company facilities, as well as for company vehicles. Purchased energy then falls under the category of Scope 2. We will reduce our emissions within these two categories by 4.2 percent annually and by 50 percent by 2030, including a transition to 80 percent renewable energy by 2025 and improving energy efficiency within its offices by 75 percent within the same timeframe.
Scope 3 emissions – which include those generated by our wider value chain including areas such as employee commuting, purchased services and good and financial investments – are also covered by the roadmap, with a target of 15 percent reduction of these emissions by 2030. Early measures within the strategy include reducing business travel emissions by 8.7 percent by 2025.
To-date, industry-wide action on net zero has more typically focused on Scopes 1 and 2. However, it is Scope 3 emissions that contribute most to our overall carbon footprint, making these a priority within our business strategy as we seek to transform our environmental performance and that of our client base within real estate, infrastructure and natural resources.
The programme builds on steps taken to already reduce emissions per employee by 54 percent since 2015 and includes an emphasis on capitalising on lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep emissions below levels seen prior to March 2020 – for example by limiting the nature and quantity of business travel.
Vincent Clancy, Chairman and Chief Executive said:
“Climate action can only be achieved through long-term commitment to change, and we will ensure we reach net zero. Most importantly, it also already looks beyond that deadline to ensure that we can maintain momentum on tackling third-party emissions across our entire value chain.
“By adopting a global strategy, we have aligned our plan with best practice, with endorsement from the Science Based Targets Initiative and supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals.
“We are making these commitments because we are passionate about climate action and because we know that as consultants and advisors on the world’s largest capital-investment programmes in infrastructure, real estate and natural resources, we are in a position to make a difference. Building on our own action, our aim is to help establish an industry-wide programmatic approach to meeting net zero.”
