Mitigating the impacts of climate change is a monumental task. Yet, we know progress is possible if we act collectively. It is vital that we all (business and society) take urgent and immediate action.
To do our part to help the world achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, Deloitte has launched WorldClimate, our strategy to drive responsible climate choices within our organization and beyond.
We recognize change starts within. Deloitte must set and meet higher standards for itself, including achieving net-zero emissions by 2030. We will also connect with others, empowering our professionals and engaging our broader ecosystem to create solutions that facilitate the transition to a low carbon economy. This will require reimagining, reinventing and redesigning many of the day-to-day experiences of our lives, as well as how businesses and economies operate.
The opportunity to create a more sustainable world is at our collective fingertips. We all are compelled to act.
The world today
Every day, everyone, has a chance to act.
Travel
Commuting, work travel, transport options? Let’s rethink going from A to B.
Travel: climate change impact and action
The transport sector is one of the fastest growing sources of global emissions. 1 The combined impact of commuting, work travel and recreational trips add up in terms of climate impact, with transportation accounting for 25% of global energy use 2 and the aviation industry individually being responsible for around 5% of global warming. 3 While air travel is a significant source of emissions per passenger kilometer, short car trips are responsible for 75% of transport emissions. 4
Positive climate actions you can take
Now
Walk or ride a bike when traveling short distances.
Next month
Aim to fly economy and direct, where possible.
Over the coming year
Look into electric or hybrid options when purchasing or leasing your next car.
Food
Let’s put how we source and consume food front and center.
Food: climate change impact and actions
Global food production is the single largest human pressure on earth. 1 Food production, and its associated land conversion, is responsible for nearly 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions. 2 And about one third of food produced is never consumed. 3 Addressing climate change through responsible food choices centers on eating a planet-friendly diet, reducing food waste and paying attention to food sources.
Positive climate actions you can take
Now
Minimize food waste—make a meal plan, check your refrigerator, and use a grocery list when shopping for food. Buy thoughtfully items you most frequently throw out due to spoilage.
Next month
Set goals to balance your meat consumption—small commitments to eat balanced amounts of more sustainable meat, and more fruit and vegetables, add up.
Over the coming year
Invest in a compost bin or look for a local service if you cannot compost at home.
Home
Home sweet home. Or home sustainable home?
Home: climate change impact and action
On average, the energy we use for our homes accounts for around 20% of carbon dioxide emissions. 1 This energy is used to light, cool and heat our homes as well as the electricity used to run appliances and other electronics. In many parts of the world, heating and cooling typically consume the most energy followed by lighting. Regardless of the amount of energy used, emissions per unit of energy consumed will be determined by the generation source.
Positive climate actions you can take
Now
Unplug your chargers for mobile phones and devices when not using them.
Next month
Switch to energy saving lightbulbs—they use one third of the electricity of conventional bulbs and can last up to 10 times as long.
Over the coming year
• Explore options for using renewable electricity in your home.
Purchasing
What’s the environmental footprint of the products you purchase?
Purchasing: climate change impact and actions
Every product created has an environmental footprint, from the resources used to make it, to its distribution and use, and eventually its disposal. 1 It now takes the Earth one year and eight months to regenerate what we use in a year. 2 Reuse, recycling, repair, refurbishment, regenerative practices and minimizing waste must all come to the forefront in our purchasing decisions. Responsible purchasing also means paying attention to what is done with an item at the end of its useful life.
Positive climate actions you can take
Now
Refuse items ahead of reducing, reusing and recycling. Even “free” items have an environmental cost.
Next month
Time for an electronic device upgrade? Research how to properly recycle your old device.
Over the coming year
Learn about sustainable fashion to drive your purchasing decisions.
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Our commitments "The challenges presented by the climate crisis are enormous and no organization can solve them single-handedly. The greatest impact will come through the collective action of like-minded organizations, people, innovators and non-governmental organizations.” – Punit Renjen, Deloitte Global CEO
We commit to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 for our own operations, ahead of the 2050 timeframe set by the Paris Agreement.
Specific goals include:
- Reducing our business travel emissions 50% per FTE by FY2030 from FY2019 levels
- Sourcing 100% renewable energy for our buildings by FY2030
- Converting 100% of our fleet to hybrid and electric vehicles by FY2030
- Engaging with our major suppliers with the goal of having two thirds of them (by emissions) adopt science-based targets
- Investing in meaningful market solutions for emissions we cannot eliminate
Deloitte has had its emissions reduction targets (scopes 1 and 2) approved by the Science Based Targets initiative as consistent with levels required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement (1.5.°C trajectory). Deloitte’s target for the emissions from its value chain (scope 3) meet the Science Based Target initiative’s criteria for ambitious value chain goals, meaning they are in line with current best practice.
We recognize we must align our climate policies, practices, and actions across our organization, by:
- Designating a senior leader to be responsible for climate in each geography
- Prioritizing discussion of climate change on executive agendas
- Embedding climate-smart considerations into decisions on office operations, real estate, and investments
By engaging and educating our employees on climate change impacts - decisions about what they consume, use, and buy - we will enable our people to make positive climate choices at home and at work, and amplify these through their personal networks.
We will collaborate with clients, alliance partners, NGOs, industry groups, suppliers, and others to address climate change at a systems and operations level.
