SUSTAINABILITY
We help our clients advance their environmental, social and governance goals by connecting sustainability to their transformations; operate our business with a strong commitment to the environment, ethics and human rights; and work to create value in communities around the world.
On track
We are on track to achieve our 2025 carbon removal goal and we set new goals for the future
89%
of our key suppliers* have disclosed emissions targets
~5M
people equipped with skills toward employment or entrepreneurship
*Key suppliers are defined as vendors that represent a significant portion of our 2019 Scope 3 emissions.
For example, in 2020, we established a 2025 carbon removal goal—previously referred to as our 2025 net-zero goal—and we are on track to achieve this goal.
Our environmental goals span three areas: reducing and removing our carbon emissions, moving toward zero waste and planning for water risk.
We continue to work toward our 2025 carbon removal goal by first focusing on reductions across our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and then removing any remaining emissions through nature-based carbon removal projects.
We are a signatory to the UN Global Compact Business Ambition for 1.5°C Pledge committing to do our part to keep global warming below 1.5° Celsius, in alignment with the Paris Agreement and the criteria and recommendations of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
In 2018, we established a SBTi 2025 near-term emissions reduction target, which we have surpassed. During fiscal 2024, we received SBTi approval for net-zero GHG emissions targets aligned with SBTi's Corporate Net-Zero Standard, including new 2030 near-term and 2040 long-term reduction targets.
Our most significant aspects relate to indirect emissions from Scope 2 electricity usage in our locations and Scope 3 emissions from business travel and purchased goods and services.
As of the end of FY24, Scope 1 and 2 emissions decreased 89% from our FY19 base year against our 2030 target, primarily due to a mix of achieving 100% renewable electricity in our facilities in 2023, as well as driving energy-efficient practices where possible. Our Scope 3 emissions per unit of revenue decreased 60% against our 2030 target.
To drive reductions in Scope 3 emissions we continue to:
While we plan to continue these actions, our ability to continue sustainable progress against our near- and long-term goals remains challenging. Our emissions may increase as our business grows and evolves to meet our clients' needs, including driving reinvention with data, technology and AI, and as we continue to collaborate with clients in their locations.
Additionally, our progress may be impacted by the availability, cost and ability to apply other low- or zero- carbon energy sources and technologies such as green gas, sustainable aviation fuel and biodiesel, the ability of our suppliers to reduce their emissions and harness new technologies, as well as the availability of suppliers that can meet our sustainability standards.
*Key suppliers are defined as vendors that represent a significant portion of our 2019 Scope 3 emissions.
To address our remaining emissions, we are investing in nature-based carbon removal projects to remove carbon from the atmosphere. We plan to begin applying carbon removal credits in fiscal 2025 in line with our carbon removal goal.
Our nature-based carbon removal projects are generally targeted to reforest land, improve biodiversity, make agriculture more sustainable and help create green jobs—all while removing carbon from the atmosphere.
To safeguard our people and operations we are developing water resiliency action plans to reduce the impact of climate-related flooding, drought and water scarcity on our business and our people in high-risk areas.
We have a goal to reuse or recycle 100% of our electronic waste (e-waste), such as computers and servers, as well as all our office furniture, by the end of 2025.
In 2023, we achieved our goal of eliminating single-use plastics in our facilities (straws, plates/bowls, cutlery, cups, lids, stirrers, bottles and to-go containers) by purchasing reusable and plastic-free items and we maintained this in fiscal 2024.
To unlock shared value for business and society, we are supporting the development of solutions that aim to help create a low-carbon future.
We are helping support development and scaling of carbon dioxide removal technology using direct air capture (DAC) with Climeworks and 1PointFive.
We contributed to the visual design of Climeworks' Orca direct air capture and storage plant in Iceland, and are continuing to help the company use IT and cloud in its operations.
We have also engaged Climeworks to explore how its innovative technology-based carbon dioxide removal solution may be used to help advance our environmental commitments.
To help facilitate the growth of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply and demand, we are collaborating with cross-industry ecosystem partners.
We recognize the importance of nature and biodiversity restoration and remain committed to managing our impact. We have taken steps in our own operations and we are engaging with our clients, our suppliers, our people and our communities to take action.
See how we are creating positive change for our communities and our people.
674,000
trees have been planted, representing each person at Accenture at the time of our announcement in December 2021.
See how we are creating positive change for our communities and our people.
