EY Announces Commitment to be Carbon Neutral by end of 2020

EY has announced that it plans to become carbon neutral by the end of 2020, by both reducing and offsetting its carbon emissions.

EY has announced that it plans to become carbon neutral by the end of 2020, by both reducing and offsetting its carbon emissions. The commitment reflects the firms’ focus towards becoming a more sustainable organisation by improving environmental performance and driving long-term, sustainable growth.

To achieve carbon neutrality, the company will focus on areas including reducing travel emissions, sustainable procurement practices and purchasing more renewable energy to power EY offices, for example, wind or solar energy. It will also purchase carbon credits to offset the EY carbon footprint and invest in projects that reduce carbon emissions or remove carbon from the atmosphere, for example, reforestation projects.

In addition to the work it is undertaking to achieve carbon neutrality, it is also expanding its global sustainability strategy which will focus on helping clients innovate and use technology to reduce their own carbon emissions while driving sustainable economic growth.

Carmine Di Sibio, EY Global Chairman and CEO said that protecting the planet for future generations is an important issue for EY people and becoming carbon neutral this year is a real step forward on the EY sustainability journey.

“As an organization that spans more than 150 countries, with varying views and ambitions on climate change, we recognise this is no easy feat. However, with over 284,000 EY people who are dedicated to our purpose of building a better working world, EY has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take immediate action to create sustainable, inclusive growth for generations to come,” he said.

Around the world is already focused on sustainable solutions. EY US entered into a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) to finance and construct two large scale Texas wind farms to become 100 percent renewable in 2020. Meanwhile, EY UK is currently in the process of contracting directly with a solar farm developer and seeking to sign a 10-year agreement for 100 percent of its UK power demand.

EY in India has planted 1 million trees since 2010 and in a number of countries, including in Costa Rica, EY has already achieved carbon neutrality. Through EY Ripples, the firm has worked with impact entrepreneurs to help scale a variety of environmental enterprises around the world including bringing clean, affordable energy to off-grid families in Sierra Leone and providing solar power for communities in Kenya.