GLOBAL infrastructure consulting firm AECOM has launched Sustainable Legacies, its strategy for reaching ambitious environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives.
CEO Troy Rudd said this strategy integrates four key pillars that will embed sustainable development and resilience across the company’s work, improve social outcomes for communities, achieve net-zero carbon emissions and enhance governance.
“As leaders of our industry, we have a responsibility to embed ESG principles into everything we do and partner with our clients and communities to advise on their efforts to advance complex, multi-decade sustainability initiatives,” he said.
“We believe infrastructure creates opportunities for everyone, and directly integrating ESG principles with our technical excellence and capabilities puts us in the best position to deliver sustainable legacies for a better world.”
A key pillar of the company’s Sustainable Legacies strategy is to be operationally net-zero by the end of 2021. It has also committed to reach science-based net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 through setting new 1.5°C-aligned emissions reduction targets, decarbonising fleet vehicles and switching to renewable energy tariffs.
Additionally, it will partner with its suppliers to decarbonise and including carbon considerations into its procurement processes, as well as implementing a 50% reduction in business travel and creating projects centred around using nature-based solutions to offset residual carbon.
AECOM’s other Sustainable Legacies pillars are to embed sustainable development and resilience across its work, improve social outcomes, and enhance governance.
Company President Lara Poloni said their clients have new, evolving priorities focused on sustainability and delivering social impact through their projects and services, “and AECOM stands out as the company that can best advise and execute for them”.
