Following the Paris Agreement at COP21, there is growing momentum for business to adopt more ambitious targets in order to keep global temperature increases below 2°C compared to pre-industrial temperatures.

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) was born out of COP21, with the sole purpose of championing science-based target setting as a powerful way to boost companies’ competitive advantage and transition to a low-carbon economy. Targets are considered science-based if they are in line with the level of decarbonization required to keep global temperature increase to below 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels. 

ERM is committed to reduce our emissions and will be submitting a commitment letter to SBTi to set long-term emission reduction targets, a significant milestone for our company. 

Why is this important?
As we work to demonstrate “the business of sustainability”, ERM is taking a leadership position on key sustainability challenges such as climate change. A science-based emissions reduction target is included in our recent Sustainability Report and we are now delivering on that objective. In making this commitment, we are the early adopters amongst professional services firms to sign up to setting science based targets.

There has been a surge in business response to SBTi, and the challenge has also been laid down to business and groups such as the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) to encourage its members to make the commitment.

ERM helps our clients with their sustainability challenges and the setting of our commitment adds to our experience and understanding as we guide our clients through their own SBTi responses. 

Learn more about ERM’s sustainability services