As we help our clients advance their environmental, social and governance goals by connecting sustainability to their transformations, we also operate our business with a strong commitment to the environment, ethics and human rights, and we work to create value in society through our communities around the world.
We began to measure and disclose our environmental impact in 2007, and we continue to hold ourselves accountable to clear, measurable goals that are aligned with climate science. 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 environment 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 approach to carbon reduction in support of our goals includes:
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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.
Learn more about our nature-based carbon removal solutions
Our approach to moving toward zero waste in support of our goals includes:
Although Accenture is not a water-intensive company, 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 completed plans for approximately 90% of our facilities in high-risk areas.
Accenture is one of the founding members of the Alliance for Clean Air, which was launched by the World Economic Forum and the Clean Air Fund at the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26).
Air pollutants and greenhouse gases (GHG) often come from the same sources, including the combustion of fuels. There is synergy between the actions needed to reduce GHG and air pollutant emissions.
Our most significant direct impact to air pollution relates to our company cars. These impacts are detailed in the following table. Historical and current environmental-related statements may be based on standards for measuring progress that are still developing, and assumptions are subject to change in the future.
| Air Pollutant | FY23 |
|---|---|
| Metric Tons | |
| Carbon monoxide (CO) | 355.10 |
| Nitrogen oxides (NOx) | 55.06 |
| Non-methane volatile organic compound (NMVOC) | 41.79 |
| Ammonia (NH3) | 5.13 |
| Particulate matter (PM2.5) | 1.74 |
| Nitrous oxide (N2O) | 0.99 |
| Black carbon (BC) | 0.93 |
| Sulfur dioxide (SO2) | 0.05 |
Working at the intersection of civil society, government and the private sector, we champion and support impactful cross-sector partnerships.
Accenture Development Partnerships (ADP) helps clients—including leading NGOs, private foundations, public donor agencies and the private sector— address society’s most critical challenges. For more than 20 years, ADP has led diverse work fostering partnerships, collective impact and social equity to progress the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), improving lives around the world.
In fiscal 2024, Accenture Development Partnerships led 429 engagements in 33 countries across eight impact areas.:
We are committed to advancing the social, economic and environmental resilience of the communities we operate within around the globe. Collaborating with our clients, ecosystem and non-profit partners, and activating our 774,000+ people, we scale impact in these areas:
Our nature-based carbon removal program is expected to physically remove millions of metric tons of carbon from the atmosphere as part of our journey to our SBTi-approved fiscal 2040 net-zero targets. At the end of fiscal 2024, our portfolio included projects in Indonesia, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States.
We are celebrating reaching 2 million young learners in India through Passport to Earning, an initiative by UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited, founded globally by Accenture and other partners. Passport to Earning offers free digital learning opportunities in local languages to bridge the educational divide for millions of young people.
Through the Equip Today to Thrive Tomorrow program, Save the Children has equipped young people across five countries with future-ready skills in fiscal 2024. We are also supporting young people through the Youth Leaders for a Sustainable Future initiative, empowering them to secure jobs, start businesses or continue their education. The program promotes gender equality, supports youth-led advocacy, and leverages technology for digital skilling, including in the green economy. Collectively, through these two programs, we have equipped more than 100,000 young people as reported in fiscal 2024.
Accenture and World Scouting are partnering to enhance educational opportunities for Scouts globally, equipping them with the leadership, sustainability, and digital skills needed to succeed in today’s fast-paced world and build a more sustainable future. Accenture is supporting the rollout of the new Impact Innovator Challenge badge, equipping young people with innovation and creative problem-solving skills for life.
Accenture has been recognized leadership in climate change transparency and performance for eight years. We have also been among the Supplier Engagement Leaderboard for 7 consecutive years for climate action across our value chain.
In January 2023, we were one of 19 companies awarded the Sustainable Market Initiative’s Terra Carta Seal. The Seal recognizes global companies driving innovation and demonstrating their momentum toward creating genuinely sustainable markets.
