WSP Global Inc. is pleased to announce ambitious climate action through a commitment to achieve net zero emissions across its value chain by 2040. To support the achievement of its net zero commitment, the Corporation has set science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets, which have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
“We are pleased to announce these commitments and join other organizations in leading the way on urgently tackling climate change,” stated Alexandre L’Heureux, WSP’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Moreover, as the leading global environmental consulting firm, we are well positioned to advise our clients on their own transition to a low-carbon economy. Our Future Ready® approach is at the centre of this support for our clients in a rapidly changing world.”
Through this net zero commitment WSP will also join the Race to Zero, which brings together a coalition of leading net zero initiatives, with an objective to build momentum around the shift to a decarbonized economy ahead of COP26, the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference taking place later this year.
“We congratulate WSP on setting science-based targets consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C, the most ambitious goal of the Paris Agreement,” said Heidi Huusko, Senior Manager, Environment and Climate at the United Nations Global Compact, one of the Science Based Targets initiative partners. “By aligning its goals with a 1.5°C future as a signatory of the Business Ambition for 1.5°C Campaign, WSP is taking action to prevent the most damaging effects of climate change.”
The GHG emissions reduction targets WSP is announcing today, which supersede the Corporation’s existing targets, increase the level of our ambition to align with the latest climate science.
WSP’s science-based GHG emissions reduction targets
WSP’s science-based GHG targets cover all scope 1 and 2 emissions, as well as all relevant scope 3 emissions1, as defined by the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard. The targets are as follows: WSP commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 market-based GHG emissions 60% by 2030 from a 2018 base year. WSP also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 30% over the same timeframe.
In addition to its science-based targets, WSP is committing to source 100% renewable electricity by 2030, supporting its operational GHG reduction efforts.
Each WSP region is in the process of updating its GHG action plans to support achievement of these targets. Among the actions required to drive reductions in scope 1 and 2, WSP intends to continue to focus on increasing the energy efficiency of its facilities across the globe and reducing the emissions impact of its vehicle fleets. WSP’s scope 3 target will now include all categories relevant to the business (purchased goods and services, business travel, employee commuting, and other upstream emissions sources), as defined by the GHG Protocol2. Each WSP region will therefore also focus on emissions reductions associated with what we purchase, how we travel, and how we work outside the office.
GHG emissions associated with our design and advisory services
Given the nature of WSP’s services, we have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to reducing emissions from the built environment through our design and advisory services.
“We expect an increased focus on measuring and reducing emissions associated with infrastructure in coming years, and recognize it is an essential step in order to meet the goals of the Paris agreement,” explained Alexandre L’Heureux. “Today, WSP is pleased to commit to better understanding the GHG emissions associated with WSP’s advice and designs, and to collaborating further with our clients and partners to drive emissions reductions.”
“Helping our clients reduce their emissions remains a primary objective of our work, both for environmental reasons and to promote positive social impact, as communities benefit from resilient, low-carbon infrastructure,” added André-Martin Bouchard, WSP’s Global Director, Environment & Resources. “We believe that embedding our Future Ready® approach throughout our project delivery process has the potential to make a significant contribution to climate change mitigation.”
Progress on the Corporation’s targets will be reported through WSP’s annual Global Sustainability Report and CDP climate change questionnaire response.
