Our main sustainability highlights
We support our people to take climate action. We’ve had a ‘Sustainable Lifestyles’ programme in place for over 10 years, helping to support our people at work and at home on this topic. Most recently we launched our Nature Network, using our Edible Roof Gardens to teach new skills and inspire our employees how to “get growing” whilst protecting biodiversity. This includes celebrating Veganuary, Plastic Free July, support for low carbon transport options, environmental volunteering and much more.
The recently launched Global Centre for Nature Positive Business also brings together and further expands the PwC’s capabilities and expertise in areas such as biodiversity, water, regenerative agriculture and forestry. With more than half of the world's GDP exposed to material nature risk, it's vital that we act as a community of solvers, supporting our clients to embed nature positive strategies.
We’ve made a commitment to net zero GHG emissions, with near-term science-based targets set for 2030. We will reduce our emissions in line with a 1.5 degree climate scenario, which includes halving our emissions again, against a new 2019 baseline.
We’re not new to Net Zero. We’ve delivered environmental improvements for over 15 years decoupling our carbon emissions from business growth and focusing on circularity and regenerative consumption across everything we use. In fact, we’ve reduced our waste by 60% since 2019, we recycle over 93% of our waste and we’vesent nothing to landfill since 2012. We’ve also offset our residual carbon emissions as reported in each financial year since 2007, enabling us to be carbon neutral. Find out more about how we offset our carbon emissions.
We have already switched to 100% renewable electricity across our UK offices and significantly reduced our energy consumption since 2007 (11% since our new 2019 baseline). By investing in new technology and proactively managing our buildings we’ve reduced carbon emissions by 99% across our 19 offices.
We have a well established sustainable supply chain programme. We spend around £700m with suppliers each year so we strive to influence our sustainability impacts beyond our direct operations where we can. Since 2012 we have collaborated with our key suppliers to find solutions to specific challenges in our business, engaged with them to help them to improve their own sustainability performance and embedded relevant sustainability considerations throughout our procurement activities. We also have a strong and longstanding commitment to supporting Social Enterprises, spending £2.3 million this year. To find out more and view our latest 'Purchase with a Purpose' video.
We’re externally recognised for our sustainability approach and performance. PwC UK’s sustainability performance has been deemed ‘outstanding’ and rated as ‘Platinum’, scoring in the top 1% of businesses responding to EcoVadis for the last three years.We also became the first business last year to achieve the ‘Advancing’ tier of the Carbon Trust’s Route to Net Zero Standard. To read more about our sustainability journey, please visit the Our Purpose page..
The story behind our ethically sourced ecobooth
Each aspect of our university tour this year highlights our commitment to sustainability. Not least our touring eco-booths which have been created using a selection of recyclable, recycled and responsibly sourced materials.
By producing three booths, one for each UK geographical region, we have minimised the mileage our vehicles need to travel from one university to the next during the tour. The footprint of all the miles travelled will be offset using verified carbon credits.
The story behind the materials
STRUCTURE: STEEL - Steel is a metal that can be infinitely recycled and is 100% recyclable without loss of quality.
STRUCTURE: FSC TIMBER - FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) timber refers to timber that has been harvested responsibly from well managed forests that are continuously replenished and ensure that there is no damage to the surrounding environment, or to native flora and fauna.
STRUCTURE: ALUMINIUM - Aluminium is 100% recyclable and can be recycled again and again without degrading its inherent value.
LOGO: GREENCAST 1 - 100% recycled and recyclable cast acrylic sheet.
FURNITURE: RECLAIMED PALLET WOOD - The pallet board cladding was created from reclaimed wood from post-consumer, post-industrial and orchards sources. Using reclaimed wood reduces waste and lessens demand on harvested sources.
PLANTS - Our booths are decorated with real plants which will be maintained throughout our university tour.
DIGITAL HARDWARE: REFURBISHED TV SCREENS are refurbished second-hand outdoor models. Using refurbished digital hardware reduces the amount of E-waste which could ultimately end up in landfill.