PwC India Pledges To Achieve Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2030

In 2020, PwC India joined PwC network firms in a commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030. PwC India’s net-zero commitment is underpinned by a science-based target to reduce its emissions to an absolute 50 per cent of its scope 1 and 2 emissions as well as a 50 per cent reduction in scope 3 business travel GHG emissions by 2030, compared to its 2019 levels. Their commitment is aligned to a 1.5 degree scenario which is necessary to avert the worst impacts of climate change.

 Commitments made include:

·         Reducing absolute business travel emissions to 50 per cent by 2030. This includes travel via flights, conventional cabs (petrol/diesel), and hotel stays.

·         Reducing emission by fuel consumption by DG sets and company owned vehicles to 50 per cent by 2030.

·         Transition to 100 per cent renewable energy from FY22 and reduce absolute emissions to 50% by 2030.

·         Commit to having at least 50 per cent of our purchased goods and services suppliers by emissions set science-based targets to reduce their own climate impact by 2025.

PwC India’s commitment to proceed towards a net-zero system by 2030 largely focuses on minimizing its carbon emissions via a carbon mitigation hierarchy – avoid, reduce, replace and offset. In a commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030, PwC India has

·         Launched multiple employee engagement initiatives such as Green Week and Conscious Choices to promote and educate sustainable practices among employees

·         Prioritized decarbonization of its operations, which includes reshaping how it serves clients, sustained reductions in travel and the increased use of zero carbon energy.

·         Built visibility around emissions at a business unit level

·         Initiated supplier engagement to encourage them to register on SBTi by adopting science based targets

·         Initiated assessments of green power procurement for PwC Offices

 According to Satyavati Berera, Partner & Net Zero Lead, PwC India, “The urgency around sustainability is a leveler for all – telling us that a greener world needs everyone’s collective commitment and attention. The ownership lies with each one of us. We know that a commitment is only as good as the actions that follow, and so we are putting together a robust plan which will enable us to make the shift. This journey is essential and requires a behavior shift from each of us – but it’s also exciting because it gives us more opportunities to do the right thing.