A healthy society depends on a healthy planet, and climate change is putting both at risk. That’s why, in addition to partnering with our clients on sustainability and sharing our insights, McKinsey is committed to reaching net zero in line with the latest climate science through decarbonizing our own operations and permanently removing all residual emissions. We’re not alone on our journey to help build a more sustainable and inclusive future, and there will be challenges – but we all need to do more, together.
One planet. One mission. All of us.
Our approach to environmental sustainability
Our commitment to climate action begins with our own actions, which is why McKinsey has set validated 2025 near-term science-based targets to reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with a 1.5-degree pathway (vs. 2019). We have submitted our 2050 science-based net zero target to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for validation, the industry’s most rigorous scientific standard. Achieving these goals and lowering our firm's carbon footprint is our top priority.
By 2025, we will reduce our direct emissions by 25%, our travel emissions by 35% per FTE and transition to 100% renewable electricity. By 2030, we will further reduce our direct and travel emissions by a combined 55% per FTE and address all our unabated emissions through carbon removals. By 2050, we have committed to reduce our direct emissions by 90% absolute and travel emissions by 97% per FTE and to permanently remove all residual emissions.
Our ESG Report
2023 ESG Report
We are driving measurable progress on sustainable and inclusive growth in the societies where we operate. Our 2023 ESG report details how we are making an impact through our client work, our insights, our actions, and our giving.
While reducing emissions is our first priority and essential to addressing climate change, we cannot achieve global climate goals without also finding solutions that remove existing carbon from the atmosphere. Since 2018, we have compensated for all emissions that we have not yet been able to eliminate and, by 2030, we will transition to 100% carbon removals. We do this in two ways: by investing in nature and by investing in technology.
Investing in nature
McKinsey invests in natural climate solutions – in particular, forest protection and reforestation. We are proud to be an initial participant in the LEAF Coalition, one of the largest public-private efforts to protect tropical forests and provide safeguards that gives agency to Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
Investing in technology
McKinsey collaborated with Stripe, Alphabet, Shopify, and Meta, to found Frontier, an advance market commitment to buy an initial $1+ billion of permanent carbon removal between 2022 and 2030. By guaranteeing future demand, Frontier seeks to accelerate the development of permanent carbon removal technologies and expand global supply and accessibility.
Climate change is too big a challenge for any one organization to take on themselves. That’s why we work with clients, non-profits, suppliers, and peers to protect nature, advance new technologies, and ensure critical climate financing. We also embed sustainability in our own supply chain, partnering with our key suppliers to make their operations more environmentally responsible.
Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance (SABA)
McKinsey is a founding member of the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance (SABA), an alliance between corporate customers, airlines, and non-profit organizations to support the future of sustainable aviation by reducing emissions from flying. SABA’s mission is to accelerate the path to net zero aviation by aggregating investment in high-integrity SAF to catalyze new SAF production, driving the development of a Book-and-Claim system, and supporting member engagement in policy-making efforts.
Enduring Earth
McKinsey is working with Enduring Earth, a collaboration between The Nature Conservancy, The Pew Charitable Trusts, World Wildlife Fund, and ZOMALAB to accelerate ocean, land, and freshwater conservation and support community development worldwide. This effort brings together governments, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and funders to develop accountable, actionable, and science-based conservation plans that create opportunities for sustainable economic growth.
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