PwC joins the RE100 initiative of global businesses growing the global demand for renewable energy

PwC joins the RE100 initiative of global businesses growing the global demand for renewable energy

• PwC joins RE100 committing to 100% renewable power for its electricity consumption.
• New air travel offsetting programme targeting multiple benefits and backed by strict criteria.

LONDON, 18-Oct-2018 — /EuropaWire/ — PwC’s new global environmental commitment to reduce carbon emissions, source 100% renewables for its electricity consumption, and offset all business air travel has been reinforced with membership in the RE100 initiative of global businesses growing the global demand for renewable energy, led by The Climate Group in partnership with CDP.

While driving efficiency to reduce the absolute carbon impact across the network’s business linked to energy use in offices and travel, PwC will offset all air travel emissions from July 2018 and source 100% renewables for electricity consumption and offset residual energy use by July 2022.  The commitment applies to 21 of its largest firms accounting for 88% of revenues in 2018, with the intent to extend coverage over time.

PwC joins over 150 major companies globally who are accelerating the demand for – and delivery of – renewable energy across the globe by committing to power their own operations with electricity from renewable sources.

Many PwC firms have long been strong performers at a national level in managing their carbon impact and showcasing innovation in the sector. This includes PwC UK, who achieved an 85% reduction in emissions associated with energy use over the last 11 years, and PwC Netherlands, who have introduced an internal cost of carbon. The new commitment enables PwC to baseline a consistent target across its major operations globally.

Over the past year, even as PwC continues to grow, its emissions were down by 4% (to 592,293 tCO2e), and emissions per employee were reduced by 7% (to 3.19tCO2e). Over the last three years, emissions per employee have fallen by 14% (from 3.69 to 3.19 tCO2e). Sixty percent of electricity used by PwC’s largest operations (representing 88% of revenues) came from renewable sources, the highest ever level reported for the network.

Bob Moritz, Global Chairman, PwC comments:

“We believe business has a key role to play in solving societal challenges alongside other stakeholders. This commitment is for us a recognition of the need to accelerate the pace of change, and individual business commitments, collectively, will make a critical difference to that.”

In addition to joining RE100, PwC has committed to offsetting unavoidable emissions linked to air travel by investing in a range of voluntary carbon offsets. Carbon offset projects prevent, reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions to compensate for emissions occurring elsewhere. Investing in these projects allows PwC to have an immediate and positive impact.

PwC network firms will select from a portfolio of offsetting projects to reflect their local priorities. Strict quality criteria have been set, including ensuring offsets are verified by an independent third party to an established standard or protocol. The projects will need to drive multiple benefits, including helping to create renewables markets, support local economic and social development or to create sustainable landscapes.

Amongst the project portfolio are a biodiversity reserve in Borneo, a wind farm in Turkey, a cook stove project in China and a landfill gas project in New York state generating electricity for 18,000 homes and creating 420 acres of new wetlands.

The projects PwC and others are supporting have collectively helped nearly 3 million people, protected or restored 656,000 hectares of forest, generated 209,000 MWh of clean energy and created over 570 new full time jobs.

Colm Kelly, PwC Global Leadership Team member and Corporate Responsibility Board Chair, comments:

“While our carbon impact is relatively low, it’s still important that we take action to tackle our emissions. Operating efficiently is simply good business and these commitments are a great way of keeping up momentum on embedding smarter ways of working. As we work towards our commitment we will offset unavoidable emissions from air travel by investing in high quality projects.”

The global ambition is one of two announced to extend PwC’s impact and reach in support of environmental and societal goals, and builds on work already being undertaken by firms across the entire PwC network.

Mike Peirce, Corporate Partnerships Director, The Climate Group, said:

“By joining RE100 and committing to source 100% renewable electricity for its global operations, PwC makes it clear that renewable power is integral to a future-oriented business strategy. As a network of firms in over 150 countries, PwC is sending a powerful message that business has a key opportunity to grow demand for clean energy across the globe.”

MEDIA CONTACTS

Rowena Mearley
Senior Manager, Global Communications
United Kingdom
rowena.mearley@pwc.com
+44 7952 715 739

Jeffery McMillan
Director, Global Communications
Poland
jeffery.mcmillan@pwc.com
48 519 506 633