We are achieving emissions reductions through our carbon reduction plan.

In 2022 we worked hard to develop and submit science-based targets which support our ambition to become net-zero by 2040. We are proud that in April 2023 our targets were validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), an independent organisation that provides guidance and standards to drive greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions.

We’re committed to achieving a 90% absolute reduction in scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions by 2040, measured from our base year 2019. (Scope 1 includes emissions from the use of gas in our offices, vehicle and machinery fuel, and leaked refrigerant gases from air conditioning units. Scope 2 emissions are from electricity used in our offices. Scope 3 includes emissions from purchased goods and services, capital goods, upstream transportation, indirect fuel and energy use, operational waste, business travel and employee commuting.) Our overarching science-based net-zero target is supported by several near and long-term targets – see here for more information.

33% reduction since 2019

Our targets are aligned with a 1.5°C temperature pathway and inform our carbon reduction plan. To date we have achieved good progress. Our 2022 carbon footprint was 189,178tCO2e. This includes emissions from our contracting business (Mott MacDonald Bentley Contracting) and our global consultancy business. The figure is 92,602tCO2e less than our 2019 baseline, representing a 33% reduction in absolute emissions, including biogenic emissions.

We closely monitor emissions and report them in line with SBTi requirements.

The blue line shows our committed 2030 and 2040 absolute reduction targets, while the purple line shows actual reductions in the three years since 2019, our global emissions base year. This diagram includes all scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.

This diagram represents only those emissions covered by our near-term reduction target (excluding emissions covered by our supplier engagement target). The purple line shows reductions achieved by increasing energy efficiency and the uptake of renewable energy in offices, and by reducing our construction emissions through the procurement of lower carbon fuel. And it also reveals the impact of COVID-19 on our business operations, which reduced emissions sharply in 2020. As business-as-usual activities have resumed, emissions have rebounded, but they are well below our committed carbon reduction pathway to 2030, shown by the blue line.

We are implementing mechanisms to decarbonise our global carbon footprint, taking our suppliers with us on our carbon reduction journey and encouraging our colleagues to make lower carbon choices, by embedding the carbon impact of business travel in our internal travel booking system, for example.

Emissions from our purchased goods and services, capital goods, and upstream transportation and distribution will be addressed through supplier engagement: we aim that 70% of our suppliers by spend will have science-based targets by 2027. We recognise the importance of reducing our emissions in absolute terms, which is why our long-term target covers our full scope of emissions. Right now, we are focused on gaining a better understanding of our supply chain and working to align suppliers with our carbon reduction trajectory