Emissions reduction
Climate change continues to place growing pressure on ecosystems, economies, and communities worldwide. Responding effectively requires integrated strategies delivered at pace and scale. Leveraging the strength of our diverse teams, we combine technical excellence and commercial insight to design and implement practical, effective measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and build climate resilience.
Our work is grounded in science and evidence, with a clear focus on solutions that deliver measurable value.
In 2020, we set a goal for net zero scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 and later expanded this commitment to include net zero scope 3 emissions by 2050. We evaluate our progress on the reduction of our absolute scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions and publicly disclose these figures in this report. We follow the GHG Protocol standards and guidance for the calculation of our global GHG inventories.
In 2025, we completed an updated assessment of our scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. As in prior years, scope 3 emissions (primarily from employee commuting, business travel, and purchased goods and services) represented the largest share of our total footprint, reflecting the nature of our professional services operations.
Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions reduction [tCO2e]
Scope 1 - Vehicles and fuels
Scope 2 - Purchased electricity
Scope 3 - Purchased goods and services
Scope 3 - Capital goods
Scope 3 - Upstream fuel and energy-related activities
Scope 3 - Upstream transportation and distribution
Scope 3 - Business travel
Scope 3 - Employee commuting
Compared with the previous reporting period (2023), our total GHG emissions have reduced by approximately 15%. This reduction reflects a combination of operational optimization, improved data quality, and targeted actions to reduce direct fuel use.
A key contributor to reduced scope 1 emissions was the significant decrease in stationary diesel use at our office in Johannesburg, South Africa. The installation of on-site solar panels reduced diesel fuel consumption for power generation by an estimated 95%, and 2025 marks the first year this emission benefit is fully reflected in our results.
Additional drivers influencing year-over-year changes include:
- Reduced fuel consumption from a smaller fleet of our owned and leased vehicles
- Lower overall energy and fuel inputs resulting from operational changes.
Our climate ambitions
Our commitment to net zero We have established net zero goals for our scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions for our global operations. This includes embedding carbon into decision-making and governance, moving from reporting to action while strengthening internal accountability and performance.
Scope 3 net zero To achieve net zero for our scope 3 emissions by 2050, we are developing a roadmap to address business travel, employee commuting, and the most emissions-intensive subcategories of our purchased goods and services. Our net zero target includes a commitment to address ongoing residual emissions beyond our target date. Additionally, we’re investigating options for beyond the value chain mitigation of our scope 3 emissions leading up to 2050.
2020
2030
2040
2050
2060
Scope 1 and 2 net zero To achieve net zero for our scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, we are developing a roadmap to address energy use in our buildings primarily natural gas and electricity and fuel-switching of our mobile equipment. Our net zero target includes a commitment to address ongoing residual emissions beyond our target date.
While scope 3 emissions remain in our most material category, these results demonstrate measurable progress toward our 2030 net zero scope 1 and 2 targets. This also provides a clearer baseline for prioritizing future reduction strategies across energy use, fleet management, and supplier-related emissions. We’re developing a roadmap to address the most emissions-intensive subcategories.
Our net zero target includes a commitment to address ongoing residual emissions beyond our target date.
Additionally, through our client work, we support the transition to lower-carbon systems and more sustainable industries. These contributions represent a broader benefit to the communities and sectors we serve, distinct from our operational and value chain emissions footprint.
In our offices in Mississauga we have electric vehicle chargers, supporting lower carbon transportation for our employees and visitors.
Environmental performance progress
In 2025, our environmental performance across energy, water, and resource use remained stable and largely optimized, reflecting the consistency of our office‑based operations and the effect of measures implemented in prior years. Across key indicators, we observed limited year‑over‑year variability, with performance generally holding steady at low levels of environmental impact relative to our footprint.
Energy efficiency
Across our global operations, we’re implementing initiatives that lower energy use and reduce GHG emissions at the facilities we own, driving measurable environmental progress.
Consumption trends remained broadly consistent, with electricity use decreasing slightly and natural gas consumption varying modestly due to external factors such as weather conditions rather than operational changes. Previous investments in building system upgrades and lighting retrofits continue to deliver ongoing efficiency benefits, with no significant additional gains to report, as these measures are now fully embedded in our operations.
This stability reflects the practical efficiency improvements already implemented within our existing office footprint. Now, we’re identifying longer-term, step-change opportunities to further reduce energy use and emissions.
Central Hidroeléctrica 3 de Febrero located in El Salvador, is a rehabilitated hydropower facility that regulates river flow, supports downstream ecosystems, and improves flood resilience while enabling efficient water reuse for clean energy generation.
Water use
Water consumption remains limited to standard office activities, sourced primarily from municipal systems. As a professional services organization, we don’t withdraw water from natural sources or use it in production processes, and our overall consumption is closely linked to employee occupancy levels.
Given our achieved results on this metric, we have shifted our focus to maintaining efficient building systems and responsible water use practices, including low-flow fixtures and automated controls.
Resource use and biodiversity
Through innovative practices and partnerships, we work to preserve forests, protect biodiversity, and responsibly manage the use of resources.
Our waste generation remained relatively consistent with prior years, while waste diversion rates improved significantly, indicating better recovery and reduced landfill reliance. We’ve improved our ability to report total waste, attributable to updates in measurement methodologies following a change in waste service providers. We also continue to see progress in reducing material consumption, including ongoing declines in paper use driven by digital ways of working. While direct operational impact on biodiversity is limited due to our office-based footprint, our focus on reducing waste and improving diversion outcomes contributes to supporting broader ecosystem protection.
With many of the foundational efficiency measures already in place, future progress will depend on new approaches and broader engagement across our global operations, which will include employee-led initiatives and exploration of region-specific opportunities to achieve further environmental gains.
Governance and ethics
Guided by our Manifesto, our values, policies, and oversight drive everything we do. Our governance framework supports responsible decision-making and compliance across our global operations, bringing consistency to risk management.
We’re committed to clear, accurate, and timely disclosure of our sustainability performance, supported by responsible oversight for informed decision-making and continuous improvement across our global operations.
Social responsibility
Our people and the communities we serve are central to how we do business. Through strong community engagement, a continued commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and an unwavering focus on health and safety, we work to create environments where people feel respected, supported, and safe. These priorities guide how we collaborate with clients, partners, and communities, and how we look after one another, reinforcing our responsibility to deliver positive social outcomes wherever we operate.