AECOM has become the first US-based company in the engineering and construction sector to have emission reduction targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Designed to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, these targets include a 20% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions, and a 10% reduction in supply chain emissions by 2025 compared to the firm's 2018 baseline.
“During these unprecedented times, business resilience and continuity are at the forefront of what we do and how we operate so that we can help deliver a better world,“ said Michael S. Burke, AECOM's chairman and chief executive officer.
“AECOM is fully committed to mitigating the impact of climate change through our SBTi-approved greenhouse gas emissions targets as we take meaningful action to protect tomorrow for the benefit of future generations, our communities and the planet.“
The targets covering greenhouse gas emissions from AECOM's operations are consistent with reductions required to keep the increase in global temperatures well-below 2°C.
In order to achieve these targets, AECOM said it would work closely with its most significant suppliers to:
- Phase out inefficient fleet vehicles
- Pursue vehicle emissions reduction technology options
- Right-size its real estate portfolio
- Focus on office energy efficiency and renewable energy
- Work with suppliers to identify emissions hotspots and aim to set science-based targets
“We congratulate AECOM on becoming the first US-based engineering and construction company to have their emissions reduction targets validated by the SBTi,“ said Alexander Farsan, global lead for Science Based Targets at the WWF.
“AECOM has cleared a high bar and is setting an example that their peers should follow.“
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