NEWS FROM THE TOP
ESG: THE NEED TO HAVE A CLEAR NARRATIVE by Matthew White, Senior Partner
WHAT CAN WE DO AT BDO? We are increasingly expected to lead transformative change and help build a sustainable economy. At BDO, we act on climate change because it is the right thing to do, our employees expect it, our clients and future generations deserve it.
Environment, Social andGovernance (ESG) is not new, but it’s nowmore important that ever. These threewords have immense meaning in terms of howtheworld is to adapt and change: and our role in shaping this direction. Key stakeholders, including employees, customers, suppliers, regulators, and local communities are demanding organisations consider howtheir operations impact theworld, their contribution to society and howthey conduct themselves.
AS A FIRM, BDO:
WORKING WITH OTHERS:
X Signed up to the UNGlobal Compact Agreement X Has committed to going carbon neutral X Has offset our identified carbon footprints from 2020, 2019 and 2018 combined (via independent sustainability consultant, Avieco Ltd) X Have been reducing our actual carbon footprint at a steady rate year-on-year: we consecutively reduced the firm’s intensity per FTE by 13% for the last two years X Have reduced our energy consumption, total emissions and emissions intensity for a third consecutive year X We review supplier contracts for their environment and sustainability commitments X We continue to be recertified for important environmental credentials which our clients and employees expect of us X More than half of our office locations are rated either very good or higher, with six offices rated ‘excellent’, by independent environmental consultants X We are working with our travel booking provider to measure and promote the carbon impact of each business journey requested in a post-COVID-19 world X Our people can now order and choose carbon-neutral BDO stationery and merchandise X We planted 300 trees in the UK as part of our Sunday Times Fast Track marketing partnership.
No single firm or individual can tackle climate change alone. The solution is collaborative. X As Senior Partner, I have joined Chapter Zero, a climate forum for Board Chairs and Non- Executive Directors to ensure climate change appears on the agenda of every boardroom table this year X We are helping many clients succeed on a variety of sustainability projects, including the development of Circular Economy, forest protection technology and renewable power programmes X The accountancy and business advisory work we do to help Renewable Energy companies with their corporate finance, forensics, audit or tax requirements is growing. Our partner, Marc Reinecke, has taken on the role as leader of BDO’s Global Renewables sub-sector, a team which is now receiving further attention and investment from across BDO globally X We partner with CleanGrowth, supporting tech start- ups find funding and a space to develop tech X Our Model Audit team is ranked #1 globally in the Renewables sector.
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