Global Sustainability Report 2021

This report is being written at a pivotal moment. The publication of the UN IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, the COP26 climate summit and the associated Race to Zero campaign have shifted the political narrative, catalysing client commitments like never before.

Since our last report, Buro Happold reached its first net zero goal for 2020/21 by setting Science Based Targets to reduce carbon emissions and offsetting residual emissions. Key achievements in 2021 include:

• Setting near-term science-based targets covering scope 1, 2, 3
• Setting and embedding ESG targets for clients
• Offset operational emissions for 2019/20 and 2020/21
• Setting a net-zero target in line with a 1.5°C future
• Taking a leading position in the industry.

We are pleased with the progress we have made, but are under no illusion that the challenge ahead is far greater. We must focus on realising a sustainable and equitable built environment, delivered with the power of collective action across our industry.

Now, we aim to:

• Reduce our own operational carbon emissions by 21% by 2025
• Design all new build projects to be net zero carbon in operation by 2030
• Reduce embodied carbon intensity of all new buildings, major retrofits and infrastructure projects by 50% by 2030.