Environmental Equity and Sustainability: PwC

Driven by our purpose, we feel a deep obligation and commitment to help address the root causes of climate change and reduce the environmental footprint of our own operations. This work is fundamental to the future of thriving societies and requires a broad coalition. We are in a unique position to bring together our community of solvers with diverse stakeholders — across the spectrum of industries and demographics — to advance change.

Our plan to achieve net zero

To cut our PwC US and PwC global network greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net zero by 2030, we’ve set goals that are validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Our six net zero focus areas

Meet our community of solvers

Our people combine their skills with their passion for the environment. Their efforts enable us to deepen our connections to each other and to programs that support the communities where we live and work. From launching a PwC Environmental Inclusion Network (more than 2,500 members), to crafting a special Environmental Cause Portfolio that makes it easy for our people to donate to vetted nonprofits, to hosting Environmental Scopeathons (half-day events in which PwC staffers volunteer their skills to help nonprofits), our people feel not just a part of the firm but part of a community with shared values.

Read about how our people are doing more to build on our firm’s progress and our purpose in the stories below:

Supporting positive environmental impact together

Helping protect our planet through ESG

Working for a more sustainable future

Creating more sustainable offices

Our offices are symbols of our purpose, brand and culture. They’re a key part of how we present ourselves to our people, our clients and the world. That’s why we’re striving to make them more sustainable. Just over 80% of our office space is located in LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) buildings — confirming that they adhere to prerequisites and credits that address carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, health and indoor environmental quality. In addition to prioritizing the use of LEED-certified buildings and interiors, we’re addressing our office waste. Ninety-four percent of our office spaces have recycling facilities and 28% provide compost bins. We’re also removing deskside bins and steering our people to use consolidated waste hubs to increase recycling and reduce landfill waste.

Advancing environmental sustainability through coalitions

Given our client work and global footprint, we’re in a position to not just participate but to lead. In FY22, as a global network we joined the following coalitions to advance environmental sustainability:

The LEAF Coalition, a public-private effort to protect tropical forests.
WBCSD’s Natural Climate Solutions Investment Accelerator, established to send a demand signal to the market for high integrity natural climate solutions to drive investment.
Carbon Call, to uncover and address gaps in the existing global carbon accounting systems.
The World Economic Forum’s First Movers Coalition, a coalition of companies using their purchasing power to create early markets for innovative clean technologies across eight hard-to-abate sectors.
The World Economic Forum’s Clean Skies for Tomorrow Coalition, to help the world transition to sustainable aviation fuels.
PwC is a founding member of the Net Zero Financial Services Providers Alliance, signing up to the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero commitments (GFANZ) in September 2021. GFANZ is a global coalition of over 250 leading financial institutions (with combined assets over $88 trillion) committed to accelerating the decarbonization of the economy.

Our FY22 Purpose and Inclusion Report

Environmental degradation disproportionately affects underserved populations, eroding safety, long-term health and economic outcomes. In this year’s Purpose and Inclusion Report, we fully discuss the details of our own environmental strategy to address carbon reduction and environmental sustainability. In addition to the actions we’re taking within the firm, and as a leader in environmental coalitions, we’re empowering our people to be environmental champions in their local communities.

Read the report

Goodbye theory, hello action

Creating value and impact through environmental, social and governance (ESG) means moving from theory to action. Success is not about financials, disclosures, climate change or diversity alone. It’s about embedding these principles — and more — into your strategy and operations to help you prepare for tomorrow’s reality, whatever it may be.

Learn how our ESG professionals help clients with their reporting and sustainability strategies, powered by technology, to manage risk and address opportunities.

ESG strategy and services