SNC-Lavalin has joined the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) Race to Zero global campaign, alongside joining the business ambition for 1.5°C commitment
SNC-Lavalin also today (28 October) announced it has signed The Climate Pledge – a commitment to achieve the Paris Agreement 10 years early, and be net zero carbon by 2040 or sooner.
A collaborative effort
Ian L. Edwards, president and chief executive officer of SNC-Lavalin Group, said: “Our commitment to climate action goes beyond setting our own net zero targets.
“In line with our purpose to engineer a better future for our planet and its people, we want to leverage the work we do with our clients and continue to play an active role in combatting climate change.
“Implementing long-term sustainable climate solutions requires close collaboration between industries, governments, non-governmental organizations, and multilateral agencies. We welcome and encourage others to join us in this important mission.”
The UN Race to Zero Campaign was launched with the aim to mobilise a coalition of cities, businesses, investors and other stakeholders to achieve net zero commitments ahead of COP26.
Members of the coalition have pledged to reach net zero by 2050, in line with global efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
Similarly, the business ambition for 1.5°C is a campaign led by the Science Based Targets initiative in partnership with the UN Global Compact and the We Mean Business coalition, launched by UN agencies, and global business and industry leaders.
The Climate Pledge is a commitment to reach the Paris Agreement 10 years early and be net zero carbon by 2040.
SNC-Lavalin has taken significant steps in its sustainability journey this year. As signatories to the United Nations Global Compact, it has set high-level goals, including pledging to become net zero carbon by 2030.
SNC-Lavalin’s main commitments include:
- Rationalising its real estate portfolio to minimise the carbon footprint of buildings and facilities.
- Adopt digital communication tools to reduce business travel, and initiate behavioural change to lower energy usage.
- Design buildings and infrastructure that is energy efficient throughout their lifecycle in collaboration with clients.
Companies that join The Climate Pledge agree to three principles:
- To measure and report greenhouse gas emissions on a regular basis.
- Implement decarbonisation strategies in line with the Paris Agreement through business changes and innovations – including efficiency improvements, renewable energy, materials reductions, and other carbon emission elimination strategies.
- Neutralise any remaining emissions with additional, quantifiable, real, permanent, and socially beneficial offsets to achieve net zero annual carbon emissions by 2040.
Earlier this year, SNC-Lavalin launched its Vision for Engineering a Sustainable Society with enhanced environmental, social, and governance (ESG) targets, including a route map to achieving Net Zero Carbon emissions by 2030.
You can view the Engineering Net Zero summary report here.
