First of Big Four to reach carbon milestone

Consulting and advisory firm EY announced today its commitment to be carbon neutral by the end of 2020, through a program of reducing and offsetting carbon emissions.

EY’s emission reduction program includes plans to lower travel emissions, employ sustainable procurement practices and purchase more renewable energy, including wind and solar, to power EY offices. The company will also purchase carbon credits to offset its carbon footprint and invest in projects that reduce carbon emissions or remove carbon from the atmosphere, such as reforestation projects.

Supporting clients’ sustainability goals

Additionally, EY announced plans to expand 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. Over the past 15 years, EY’s Climate Change and Sustainability Practice has supported clients’ decarbonization and sustainability journeys by helping them implement a range of solutions crossing sustainability, supply chains and reporting. 

First of Four

EY is one of the four largest global consulting and accounting firms, known as the “Big Four,” which also include PWC, KPMG, and Deloitte. Achieving carbon neutrality in 2020 would make EY the first of the Big Four to reach this milestone. PWC has committed to source 100% of electricity consumption from renewables and to offset residual energy use by 2022.

Commenting on the firm’s new commitments, Carmine Di Sibio, EY Global Chairman and CEO, said:

“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 recognize 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.”