In 2008, KPMG International announced the Global Green Initiative (GGI), a commitment to address climate change by focusing on three pillars:

1. to measure, reduce and report KPMG’s global emissions across the KPMG network
2. to support environmental projects within our wider commitment to our communities, and advance sustainability
3. to work with partners, employees, suppliers and clients to help them reduce their climate change impacts.

The GGI started with a pan-KPMG network ambition to reduce combined greenhouse gas emissions per full-time equivalent (FTE) employee by 25 percent by 2010, on a 2007 baseline. We achieved this target. 

A new target was set in 2010 that seeks a further 15 percent reduction in net emissions per FTE by 2015, compared to 2010. As of 2015, we have achieved our net emissions per FTE reduction by reaching 16.77 percent since 2010.

Furthermore, 27 percent of electricity purchased across the KPMG network is now procured from renewable sources, including on-site solar at a few facilities, or from renewable energy certificates and green tariffs.

We view material climate change risks as those that will significantly disrupt the provision of KPMG services.  We view material climate change opportunities as those that provide significant opportunity to improve our business operations, reduce operating costs and/or offer new services to KPMG member firm clients.

Since 2010, KPMG International has responded annually to the CDP (formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project). Our most recent response, which includes detailed information about our performance in managing our GHG Emissions is publically available. Our response also provides further examples of the benefits associated with our program.

*Data provided in Metric Tons of CO²

Environmental sustainability statistics cited are based on aggregated results of a group of KPMG firms, representing 83 percent of full-time equivalent KPMG people globally, which are used to estimate total emissions from all KPMG firms.

The Global Climate Response is the next evolution of the Global Green Initiative with broader goals and action on climate change.

"We are committed to reducing our impact on the environment. Sustainability is an essential element of KPMG’s business strategy. Our responsibility to communities and the marketplace drives us to implement sustainable principles, which adds value for our clients and reflects the values of our professionals.” - John Veihmeyer, Chairman, KPMG International

KPMG member firms are committed to reducing their impact on the environment, addressing local environmental challenges and working with clients to advance environmental sustainability.

Actions include:

• achieving ambitious emissions reduction targets
• developing new approaches to account for natural and social capital
  
• supporting collaborative projects with partners such as the UN Global Compact and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
  
• serving as leading providers of climate change and sustainability services for our clients.

“Water is essential for life. It is also crucial for business and for growth. Cycle for Water is a great opportunity for KPMG to challenge our people, clients and the communities in which we operate to make a difference by supporting Theo and Simon as they Cycle for Water and champion clean water for sustainable development”.  - Lord Dr Michael Hastings of Scarisbrick CBE, Global Head of Citizenship, KPMG International

KPMG International supported two Frenchmen, Theo Rohfritsch and Simon Valdenaire, on their Cycle for Water spanning over 25,000km from France to New Zealand to raise awareness about water scarcity. Over the last 15 months, Theo and Simon cycled across 21 countries, engaging with KPMG people, clients and local communities about the importance of clean water in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

The 22nd annual UN Climate Conference (known as COP22) took place in Marrakesh, Morocco from 7 – 18 November. This was an opportunity for Heads of State and government negotiators from almost 200 countries, as well as thousands of observers from businesses, city governments, academia and NGOs, to develop the international processes necessary to deliver the Paris Agreement – the historic climate deal reached at last year’s UN Climate Conference in Paris (COP21).

Several KPMG climate change and sustainability experts were at the conference to monitor proceedings and participate in side events. KPMG also supported the UN Climate Secretariat by collaborating for the second year running on the UN Climate Talks LIVE – the online social media aggregator.

For more information, including KPMG’s insights on the outcomes of COP22, please visit our COP22 page.