Corporate responsibility: Environment

PwC respects the environment by looking for ways to lessen our own environmental impact. Caring for our environment is not just good business, it’s smart business.

We recognize that climate change has become a matter of managing risks, costs and reputation. Our firm and other leading organizations are looking at how environmental issues are impacting their present and future businesses, with some companies building climate change strategies tied to their business strategies.

In 2008, we completed an inventory of our carbon emissions, which helped us identify actions for our US Firm. From this footprint, PwC has committed to reduce its own impact on the environment. We have taken steps, large and small, to inspire individual behavioral change— including reducing travel by enhancing video conferencing capabilities in our offices to facilitating double-sided printing and copying.

We also help companies comply with environmental regulations, enhance the quality of corporate reporting and assess the level of financial reserves needed to address environmental issues. Our firm has also helped companies assess the life-cycle impact of their products, enabling a growing number of customers and other stakeholders who prefer products and services that are “green” and eco-friendly make informed purchasing decisions.

Appointed as the global advisors of the Carbon Disclosure Project
Our Global CEO, Sam DiPiazza, is the new Chairman of the World Business Council on Sustainable Development
Main sponsor of the United Nations’ World Environment Day in 2008
Business sponsor of the World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour 2008
Standards reviews for our clients on sustainability reporting through the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Protocol (World Resources Institute and World Business Council on Sustainable Development)
Measurement and analysis of the US Firm’s carbon footprint
Launch of “green” pilots in offices across the country
Discussions with national vendors regarding more sustainable paper, transportation and technology products and services
Recycling waste in the office
Reducing paper waste by defaulting to duplex printing and signing up for paperless statements from our vendors
Subsidizing for mass transit

Many global companies are currently or potentially facing regulatory pressures to reduce their carbon emissions.

PwC has already begun to help leading corporations implement strategies to lessen their environmental impact. As a global market leader in sustainability advisory, we serve more than 50% of the Fortune 100 corporations.

How we've helped clients

Reviewed corporate environmental, health and safety management programs
Defined a sustainability strategy with specific measurable performance standards
Developed corporate responsibility road maps
Monitored third-party visits to randomly selected suppliers and vendors
Assisted clients in understanding FIN 47 at implementation

Why reduce your environmental impact?

Compliance with local, national, regional and international regulations
Cost savings as a result of conserving energy and decreasing carbon emissions
Risks to assets due to more severe droughts, floods and storms
Reputational backlash from consumers, investment communities or shareholders for not being good corporate citizens
Innovative products and technologies that will attract consumers and create greater market share
Carbon-related costs in the supply chain that are passed on to the company
Litigation concerns that range from negligence to public nuisance
Data about a company’s environmental impact that is shared with investors, who use the information to evaluate investments or company performance

Contacts

Shannon Schuyler: US managing director of CR

Of further interest

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