KPMG announced on 9 November 2020 its intention to become a net-zero carbon organization by 2030, as part of its continued focus on delivering growth in a sustainable way and providing climate solutions for member firms, clients and society.
To underpin this goal, the global organization has signed up to a series of new climate actions, including a 1.5?C science-based target which will focus on achieving a 50 percent reduction of KPMG's direct and indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030.
Additionally, KPMG firms have collectively committed to:
- 100 percent Renewable Electricity (RE) by 2022 in its Board Countries, and by 2030 for the wider network
- Offsetting any remaining GHG emissions through externally accredited voluntary carbon offsets to mitigate the remainder it cannot remove from its operations and supply chain
KPMG has taken a rigorous approach, using in-house experts to project KPMG's path to decarbonization and, from this, has developed a carbon forecasting model for KPMG firms that enables bottom-up target setting.
This model maps the impact and sources of emissions and how a change in policy, for example on business travel, can have a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions.
To remain confident that KPMG firms' climate actions are creating impact, the global organization will also track progress against the new commitments by measuring and reporting to CDP (formally the Carbon Disclosure Project) and the Science Based Targets Initiative.
The organization will be working closely with its people to educate colleagues on the new commitments and mobilize teams to support the journey towards a more sustainable future.
Global Chairman & CEO of KPMG International, Bill Thomas said: "We have made real, and valuable, progress in our efforts to help KPMG member firms and clients grow sustainably, but the size of the challenge we all face globally on climate means we must go further.
I am pleased that the new commitments we are announcing will help to accelerate our ambitions to deliver on a more sustainable future, inspiring confidence among our teams and stakeholders and empowering them to change how we shape our future.
Our carbon reduction plan will aid not only our own progress towards reducing the effects of the climate on tomorrow's world, but it will also contribute to our clients' efforts to reduce their end to end carbon footprint. With this new set of global commitments across KPMG, I am confident that we are making the right decisions today to make a difference tomorrow."
The announcement builds on previous progress from KPMG in reducing its collective impact on the planet. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global organization had reduced its net carbon emissions per FTE by around one-third over the last decade, performing better than its targets. It is also currently on track to meet its 2020 renewable energy target of 60%.
KPMG firms are working with clients across the world to support them in decarbonizing their businesses and supply chains, and embedding ESG in everything they do. Launched earlier this year, KPMG IMPACT brings together KPMG firms' expertise in supporting clients to address the biggest challenges facing our planet, with the aim of delivering growth with purpose and achieving progress against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Commenting on the announcement, Richard Threlfall, Global Head of KPMG IMPACT said, "I am delighted to see KPMG enhancing our collective commitment to the global climate agenda by adopting science-based targets with the carbon reduction plan that has been announced. KPMG shares the same responsibility as the clients we serve, to rapidly reduce and eventually reverse our contribution to global warming. By further extending our own commitments in this space I believe we are better placed to work and collaborate with clients to help them decarbonize their businesses too."
KPMG in Thailand's Head of Sustainability Practice, Paul Flipse said "Our people's awareness of the climate change issues is high, and we have taken serious actions to reduce our carbon footprint which include adopting energy-efficient practices in the workplace, improving our digital platforms to reduce paper use, and reducing single-use plastic waste. In regard to helping our clients strengthen their sustainability strategy, KPMG in Thailand is focused on helping companies measure, manage and communicate their progress against the ESG agenda."
Charoen Phosamritlert, Chief Executive Officer, KPMG in Thailand, Myanmar and Laos concluded, "Transitioning to a low-carbon economy is a crucial way to mitigate climate change. We will continue to work with stakeholders and communities to encourage sustainable business practices, and work with our clients to advance environmental sustainability - to achieve KPMG's collective goal of becoming a net-zero carbon organization by 2030."