Firm signs on to Science Based Targets initiative to help ensure environmental progress

Grant Thornton LLP, the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd., has committed to a science-based goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030. This commitment is part of the global effort to limit the planet’s temperature rise to 1.5 degrees or less.

To ensure it meets its goal, Grant Thornton has formally signed on to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to validate that Grant Thornton’s carbon-reduction goals are in line with scientific recommendations to address climate change.

Grant Thornton plans to achieve its net zero goal by reducing business travel, better using its office space and increasing energy efficiency across its operations. The firm may also use carbon credits and other investments in the future to account for any residual carbon emissions.

The net zero goal complements a range of firmwide sustainability efforts described in Grant Thornton’s 2020 sustainability report. In addition, earlier this year, Grant Thornton committed to an absolute reduction of GHG emissions by 55% by 2030.

“The time for strong and clear action to limit climate change has arrived,” said Brad Preber, CEO of Grant Thornton. “By adopting a net zero emissions goal, Grant Thornton is fully committing to a science-based strategy to sustainably serve our clients and our communities by the end of this decade. We understand the need to act quickly to reduce our environmental footprint in a timeframe that maximizes the benefit.”

According to Beatrix Bernauer, chief risk and compliance officer at Grant Thornton: “In recent years, Grant Thornton has made sustainability central to our operating philosophy and fully integrated it into our growth strategy. Our new net zero emissions goal represents the maturation of this effort.”

Grant Thornton’s efforts are consistent with Grant Thornton International Ltd.’s recent commitment under the Net Zero Financial Service Providers Alliance — an effort linked to the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero, or GFANZ.

About Grant Thornton LLP

Founded in Chicago in 1924, Grant Thornton LLP (Grant Thornton) is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, one of the world’s leading organizations of independent audit, tax and advisory firms. Grant Thornton, which has revenues of $1.97 billion and operates more than 50 offices, works with a broad range of dynamic publicly and privately held companies, government agencies, financial institutions, and civic and religious organizations.

“Grant Thornton” refers to Grant Thornton LLP, the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL). GTIL and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. Services are delivered by the member firms. GTIL and its member firms are not agents of, and do not obligate, one another and are not liable for one another’s acts or omissions. Please see grantthornton.com for further details.

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