Environmental objectives and targets

EY global carbon ambition

In January 2020, we announced a global commitment to become carbon neutral, which we achieved by the following December. And in October 2021, we became carbon negative. But our purpose of ‘building a better working world’ compels us to go further, faster.

To help drive purposeful growth and create long-term value for our stakeholders, the EY organisation will be globally net zero in 2025. We will achieve this by significantly reducing our absolute carbon emissions and continuing to remove or offset more than the remaining amount of our emissions, every year.

We will cut absolute emissions by 40% across Scopes 1, 2 and 3 by FY25, against an FY19 baseline, consistent with a 1.5°C science-based target, approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), enabling the EY organisation to reach net zero in FY25. And we have a seven-point plan to ensure we achieve this ambition. Learn more.

Find out about our progress towards net zero so far and how we are tackling the challenges of emissions reduction. Read about our ambition and progress in our latest EY Value Realized report.

The EY Global Environmental Statement (PDF) sets out the firm’s expectations of member firms around the world on environmental issues beyond emissions reduction.

Our UK Net Zero Strategy 

In response to the EY global carbon ambition, the UK firm has developed country-specific emissions reduction targets and a strategy comprising six key actions critical to achieving net zero:

1. Reduce air travel emissions by 36% by FY25 (versus FY19 baseline).

2. Reduce electricity consumption and ensure 100% of energy is backed by renewables certification.

3. Ensure the UK Virtual Power Purchase Agreement delivers certified renewable energy to cover our consumption and helps to further decarbonise the UK energy sector.

4. Deploy internal tools to enable our people to calculate and reduce CO2e from delivering their work.

5. Ensure 75% of EY suppliers (by spend) set Science Based Targets by no later than FY25.

6. Reduce the environmental impact of internal operations by delivering best-practice initiatives.

For more information, including progress against our emissions targets and actions, please see the latest UK Impact Report.

Wider UK environmental objectives and targets

In addition to emissions reduction targets, the UK firm annually sets supplementary environmental objectives and targets relating to other key environmental impacts and aspects. FY24 objectives and targets: 

  • Energy

    • Objective #1: Demonstrate a reduction in utilities consumption
      • Target #1: Reduce total energy (kWh) consumed in FY24 by 15% per sqm (compared to FY19*).
    • Objective #2: Maximise the procurement of energy from renewable sources
      • Target #2: Continue to ensure 100% of the EY organisation’s UK energy consumption (electricity and gas) is backed by renewable certification.

  • Waste

    • Objective #1: Minimise the volume of waste generated.
      • Target #1: By the end of 2025 reduce waste generated per head by 20% (compared to FY19*).
    • Objective #2: Maximise landfill diversion rates and waste recycling.
      • Target #2: Maintain zero to landfill and maximise waste reuse/recycling.

  • Water

    • Objective #1: Measure and monitor UK water supply/consumption data.
      • Maintain water consumption records and seek ways to improve data accuracy.

  • Other impacts / aspects

    • Objective #1: Seek ways to promote environmental sustainability and encourage lifecycle improvements.

*FY19 is the base year as this was the last reporting period of pre-pandemic (i.e. typical) operating conditions.

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