Buro Happold leads the way with net zero science-based targets validation

Buro Happold has become one of the first companies to achieve validation for our Science-based net zero decarbonisation targets. Science-based targets enable us to work towards our long-term goal to achieve net zero operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2045.

Our new targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), which drives ambitious climate action in the private sector by enabling organisations to set robust and credible emissions reduction targets.  

By setting and securing validation for our own targets, we have developed a set of insights into how to navigate the process, which helps to support our clients to achieve their own emissions reduction targets in both the long and near term.

Like many of our clients, current and prospective Buro Happold employees also look to our commitments and initiatives such as this as evidence for how we are translating commitments into action, maintaining alignment with credible industry standards as the science evolves.

Buro Happold is actively involved with supporting SBTi, widely seen as becoming the industry benchmark, in the development of standards and guidance for the sector. As one of the companies leading the way with validation against the new SBTi corporate net zero standard, we have reset our near-term GHG emissions reduction targets for our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions in line with the new standard. Scope 1 and 2 are those emissions that are owned or controlled by the company, whereas scope 3 emissions are a consequence of the activities of the company from sources not owned or controlled by it.

Driving targets

For Scope 1 and 2, our targets will see the reduction of absolute GHG emissions by 21% by FY2025 compared with FY2020, and the sourcing of 100% renewable electricity by the same year.

In Scope 3 we’re targeting a 52.6% reduction in business and commuter travel GHG emissions intensity per full-time equivalent staff member by FY2028 compared with FY2020.

We have also set a target for 50% of our suppliers by spend to have committed to science-based GHG reduction targets by FY2028. 

These near-term targets support our net-zero target to reduce absolute GHG emissions by 90% by 2045, from a FY2020 base year.

Our Scope 1 and 2 targets have been classified by the SBTi as being consistent with reductions required to keep warming to 1.5C by mid-century and form part of our support for the Race to Zero through the Business Ambition for 1.5C campaign.

Our targets will be challenging to meet as we continue to grow our global business, but Duncan Price, Buro Happold’s global lead for sustainability and climate change, says: “As engineers, designers and advisors, we’re well placed to influence change, and we want to be recognised as a leader in sustainability for the industry. Building a sustainable business presents more opportunities than it does challenges, and we are committed to working together with our clients and collaborators to deliver the triple bottom line of social, economic and environmental outcomes.”

Read more about Buro Happold’s commitments in our Global Sustainability Report.