Reducing our environmental impact

Safeguarding the planet and reducing our impact on the environment

Protecting the planet

As a business we acknowledge the global threat posed by climate change and we take our responsibility for environmental stewardship seriously, as in order to empower people and organisations to fulfil their unique potential, we must also protect the planet.

From using renewable energy sources and reducing our emissions, to investing in reforestation initiatives around the world, we are taking a variety of actions to reach our target of net zero by 2040 across Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 

Our ambition is to be an environmentally conscious business which understands and reduces its environmental impact globally.

Our key ESG targets and progress

Target

Net zero

Across Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2040

Progress

39%

Total business emissions reduced by 39% in 2023 against the 2019 base year

UN SDGs

Responsible consumption and production
Climate action

Partnering with the World Land Trust

We’ve partnered with the World Land Trust since 2015, investing in programmes to protect and restore threatened forests to support the protection of carbon-rich habitats in key areas of conservation importance.

Our operations are offset through the World Land Trust Carbon Balanced Programme, which means we invest in carbon offset schemes equivalent to our emissions, as assessed by World Land Trust carbon specialists. Through our partnership with the World Land Trust, we offset more than 3,000 tonnes of our CO₂ emissions in 2023.

Through the World Land Trust we also plant a tree for every permanent candidate placement made by our recruitment service line globally, as well as one tree for every employee in our outsourcing service line – over 16,600 in 2023. We currently support programmes in Armenia, to restore a corridor for leopards and lynx; in Brazil, to replenish critically threatened Atlantic Forest habitats; and India, to reforest a corridor for safe passage of the Asian Elephant and other species.

Reducing our emissions

We’re taking action to reduce our emissions to help us reach our target of net zero by 2040 across Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. When any of our offices renew or take a new lease we choose a renewable energy supplier where available. We’re also focused on reducing our emissions from business travel, with a reduction in business travel emissions per head of 43% compared to the 2019 base line year. And we are moving our company car fleet to hybrid or electric vehicles in the UK and EU, with 47% hybrid or electric in 2023.

Additionally, we are looking at enhancing our Scope 3 emission reporting by including a wider range of categories, with a view to their incorporation into our 2040 net zero target.

Read our Carbon Reduction Plan

A commitment to best practice

To align to industry best practice standards, we have implemented a number of environmental policies and reports, which you can view below:

Green House Gas emissions report

2023 report
Read more
TCFD statement 2023

Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures
Read more
Carbon Reduction Plan

Reaching net zero across Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2040
Read more
Sustainable Procurement Policy Statement

ESG opportunities in our supply chain
Read more
Environmental Policy Statement

Protecting of the environment and evaluating our impact
Read more
Energy Policy Statement

Commitment to continuous improvement of energy management
Read more
Environmental Code of Practice for Suppliers

Working with suppliers and partners
Read more
Sustainability Policy Statement

Our commitment to sound sustainable development
Read more

See how we’re living our purpose

Powering people and organisations to fulfil their unique potential

Find out more

Reducing our environmental impact

Protecting the planet

Our key ESG targets and progress

Target

Progress

UN SDGs

Partnering with the World Land Trust

Reducing our emissions

A commitment to best practice

Green House Gas emissions report

TCFD statement 2023

Carbon Reduction Plan

Sustainable Procurement Policy Statement

Environmental Policy Statement

Energy Policy Statement

Environmental Code of Practice for Suppliers

Sustainability Policy Statement

See how we’re living our purpose