Our commitments

Decarbonising our operations

We are committed to becoming a science-based net zero organisation by 2040*.

In 2020, we embarked on a journey to achieve net zero emissions across all our global operations – from the energy used in our offices to the goods and services we purchase.

We have set deep emission reduction targets aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative’s (SBTi) 1.5°C mitigation pathways, which have been reviewed and validated by the SBTi.

Read about our net zero journey, our progress, our commitment targets, and how we plan to achieve them on our Net Zero page.

Complementing and reinforcing our net zero commitment, we support related global initiatives that drive systematic change. For example, we are signatories to The Climate Pledge and the World Green Business Council’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment, and members of Race to Zero and the World Economic Forum’s Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders.

Our sustainability ratings and rankings

CDP

We have been recognised as a Supplier Engagement leader by CDP in 2024 and received an overall CDP rating of B, reflecting our ongoing commitment to transparency, climate action, and working collaboratively across our value chain to reduce emissions.

EcoVadis

We have been awarded the EcoVadis Gold Medal for our sustainability management system, placing us in the top 5% of the companies assessed globally. The EcoVadis assessment considers criteria from across the areas of environment, labour & human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.

Decarbonising our services

The most significant contribution we can make to a net zero future is through the work we do for our clients.

The design decisions we make today will have implications for decades to come – this is why it’s essential to be able to measure and thus manage carbon emissions across our work. To achieve this, the firm has committed to undertaking whole lifecycle carbon assessments for all its buildings projects – new and retrofit. This has required a significant, multiyear investment in learning, tools and training. We reported on our progress in March 2024.

We have also committed to not taking on any new energy commissions from 1 April 2022 involving the extraction, refinement, or transportation of hydrocarbon-based fuels except the manufacture of hydrogen, which we consider part of the transition to a net zero future. Since this commitment was made three years ago, we have not taken on any new hydrocarbon projects, and our work for the renewables energy sector has more than doubled.

Prioritising nature, resilience and ethical conduct

We support a range of global and local initiatives that help bring about a nature-positive and resilient future and encourage ethical business conduct.

For example, we are calling for ambitious and collective action for nature through the Business for Nature Call to Action; and we have acknowledged the seriousness of the climate and biodiversity emergency and committed to positive change through the Built Environment Declare chapters, which several of our regions and countries have signed up to.

Then, in line with our core value of ‘straight and honourable dealings’ and Ethical Conduct Policy, we are signatories to the World Economic Forum’s Partnering Against Corruption Initiative.

We have also been signatories since 2010 to the United Nations Global Compact, committing to its ten principles with respect human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and to take actions that advance societal goals.

^{*The financial year ending 31 March 2040.}