Mott MacDonald reaffirms commitment to net-zero

Mott MacDonald has announced that it has joined Race To Zero; a United Nations initiative to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, and investors for a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery. Organisations that sign up to Race To Zero commit themselves to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The firm has long been at the forefront of sustainability within the construction and engineering sector and over the last decade has been instrumental in setting the global agenda to reduce carbon emissions in infrastructure asset delivery and management.

Committing to the Race To Zero campaign is the latest in a long list of Mott MacDonald’s low-carbon policies. The global engineering, management and development consultancy has already pledged to reach net-zero by 2040 and set out a detailed 12-point plan on how this is to be achieved. Last year, Mott MacDonald became the first-in-class consultancy to be independently certified as carbon neutral and, having reduced its global carbon footprint by 45% per employee over the last five years, is on track to reduce the absolute figure by a further 25% by 2024.

A founding member of the Net Zero Infrastructure Industry Coalition in the UK, Mott MacDonald also supports industry, the UK government and the devolved administrations on how to deliver the infrastructure needed to reach the UK’s carbon emissions targets.

Mike Haigh, executive chair, Mott MacDonald, said: “The science on climate change is clear: greenhouse gas emissions must be contained, and global warming kept below 1.5C. As a business, we have already pledged to reach net-zero by 2040; an ambitious goal but one we feel is necessary given the scale of the climate challenges we face. Joining the Race To Zero reaffirms this commitment and is an important and visible signal by Mott MacDonald in support of greater ambition on climate change and towards a successful outcome at COP26.”

“We bring solutions that reduce carbon emissions to our clients by default, but we know it’s not enough to show our clients how to reduce their carbon emissions, we must also be part of the solution ourselves. That’s why we are committed to ensuring our colleagues also play a part in creating the climate-stable, sustainable future they and their families deserve. We will provide them with the skills to transition to a net-zero emissions economy – informing and guiding our clients, driving change in our business and adapting as citizens.”

Mott MacDonald joins Race to Zero through the Business Ambition for 1.5oC, a global campaign of industry leaders and businesses that have committed to set ambitious science-based emissions reductions targets. Organisations that join the campaign commit to reach net-zero value chain emissions by no later than 2050 while also setting short-term science-based emissions targets.