PwC Commits to Net-zero Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions by 2030

PwC will also invest in carbon removal projects, including natural climate solutions.

On September 15, 2020, PwC announced its commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030. The "commitment" includes supporting its clients to reduce their emissions as well as reducing those from the PwC network's operations and suppliers.

The PwC network's net-zero goal includes a science-based target aligned with a 1.5°C trajectory. PwC commits to reducing its total greenhouse gas emissions by 50% in absolute terms by 2030. This includes a switch to 100% renewable electricity in all territories, as well as energy efficiency improvements in our offices and halving the emissions associated with business travel and accommodation within a decade. Emissions associated with flights alone currently represent around 85% of the network's total carbon footprint. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift to remote working and demonstrated the feasibility of new client service models, as part of a longer-term transformation of PwC's services.

PwC will also invest in carbon removal projects, including natural climate solutions. For every remaining tonne (CO2 equivalent) that it emits, PwC will remove a tonne of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to achieve net-zero climate impact by 2030. Our projects will be selected on the basis of quality criteria and verification of carbon reduction impact, and will also support broader local economic and social development co-benefits.

Bob Moritz, Global Chairman of the PwC network, said: "Businesses and economies must evolve quickly to address the significant challenges facing our societies and our planet. Whether you look at this through the lens of human need or from a capital allocation perspective, it is in the interests of everyone that we see the systemic change that averts climate catastrophe and unlocks the potential of green growth." He further added; "A net-zero world is within reach. Getting there will take innovation, hard work, collaboration, and bold thinking but the benefits will be immense. The business community has a responsibility to act and we are determined to play our part, not just in our operations and supply chain, but also in the way we advise and support our clients to create a sustainable world for future generations."

With global reach across 157 countries, industry coverage, and its 284,000 people that support clients at every stage – from reshaping strategy and transformation, to deals, reporting, audit, and tax – the PwC network has a huge opportunity to accelerate the transition to a net-zero future in collaboration with its clients.  

The network supports organizations as they develop and implement concrete plans for how to get to net zero. This includes re-alignment of corporate strategy, people and talent, governance and accountability, operating model, innovation and research and development (R&D), tax strategy and reporting, and enterprise and supply chain transformation. Other areas include partnerships and alliances, and corporate affairs and regulatory engagement.

Building on existing client work in sustainability and net-zero transformation, PwC will infuse science-led climate analysis into its areas of service. For example, its Advisory practice is integrating climate risks into relevant engagements, providing clients with insights about climate risks and opportunities as well as helping them to transform their business processes. Another major focus area will be integrating climate-related and other ESG-related factors into mainstream corporate disclosures and governance, where PwC's Assurance practice will support the development of high-quality, aligned disclosure and measurement standards and help clients embed these into their reporting and governance.

Across its Tax practice, PwC will be helping clients understand how net-zero transformation will impact tax strategy, transparency and compliance obligations, subsidy and incentive opportunities, and revenue impacts for both public and private sector organizations.

To further scale its capabilities to support clients in these areas, PwC has appointed Peter Gassmann to lead its new global Environmental, Social, and Governance practice. In addition, Nadja Picard has been appointed as PwC's new Global Reporting Leader to drive the network's support for clients to incorporate non-financial disclosures in their corporate reporting.

Further details of the network's plans to achieve the 2030 net-zero ambition, support clients and suppliers, and advance the global climate debate will be shared over the coming months.

Bob Moritz added: "An important lesson of COVID-19 is that people can find ways to do the impossible when they have to, and we are taking some of that spirit into our efforts to tackle the global climate crisis. The changes we need to make will not be easy but are nothing compared to the harm that runaway climate change would inflict on society. We are excited about working together, with clients, with partners and all of our stakeholders, to achieve our goals and play our part to support global efforts to help address the impacts of climate change for a more sustainable and fairer world."

NOTE:  PwC will shortly be launching a practical guide, "Building Blocks for Net Zero Business Transformation" aimed at business executives to help companies of all sectors and sizes move from net zero pledges to wholescale business transformation. The research has been produced in association with Microsoft, who PwC advises on net-zero transformation, as a contribution to the recently launched CEO-led Transform to Zero initiative.

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