McKinsey has implemented an internal carbon fee on all air travel. The carbon fee, in effect since January 1, 2023, will fund the firm’s decarbonization efforts and be invested in green technologies such as carbon removals and sustainable aviation fuels.
Even as McKinsey continues to be committed to new ways of working, spending time on-site with clients remains central to the firm’s ability to deliver impact. The carbon fee adds transparency and accountability to travel decisions and, by funding investments to accelerate the global transition, supports the firm’s aspiration to be the largest private-sector catalyst for decarbonization.
The carbon fee applies to all internal and client-related air travel, which represent more than 80 percent of the firm’s overall carbon footprint.
This initiative follows other major sustainability investments by the firm. Last year, McKinsey co-founded Frontier, a billion dollar advance market commitment to spur future demand for permanent carbon removal technologies. McKinsey has compensated for all its emissions since 2018, has committed to achieving net-zero climate impact by 2030, and has set validated, near-term, science-based targets for 2025. McKinsey aims to reduce its Scope 3 business travel emissions by 30 percent p.c. (vs. 2019) by 2025.
Through its client service, McKinsey is working to speed the transition in all sectors, including clients in hard-to-abate industries like energy, aviation, manufacturing, shipping, and logistics.
To learn more about McKinsey’s progress toward accelerating sustainable and inclusive growth that can be measured in the societies where we live and work, please read our 2022 ESG Report.