Morrison Hershfield is excited to share our 2022 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report. Our expanded ESG strategy and framework is an exciting evolution of our previous Corporate Social Responsibility reporting. Read the full report to learn more about our progress and plans to enhance our ESG performance.
Morrison Hershfield’s Climate Commitment
In 2022, we took steps to formalize our climate commitments through third-party, industry-leading frameworks. We committed to achieving carbon-neutral operations for Scope 1 (natural gas) and Scope 2 (electricity) emissions by 2024 and net-zero GHG emissions across all scopes by 2050.
Since finalizing our report, our letter of commitment to the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) was accepted. We are setting science-backed near-term and long-term reduction targets for all emission scopes to submit for third-party validation in 2024. This augments our current alignment with the Global Reporting Initiative, FIDIC Climate Change Charter and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Morrison Hershfield has also established a Climate Change department with a goal of embedding a climate focus into all our projects. We want to help clients meet their sustainability targets and future-proof their projects. Our Climate Change community of practice was launched in 2022 with the goals of sharing knowledge, developing tools and delivering training to create a team of climate champions.
Carbon Footprint Assessment
Our updated Carbon Footprint Assessment provides a clearer understanding of Morrison Hershfield’s environmental impact and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We partnered with the technology provider AVARNI for tools and guidance in conducting the carbon footprint. We followed established standards, consulted reputable sources, obtained more actual data for our office consumption of natural gas and electricity and took a more rigorous approach to our employee commuting emissions. For the first time, we gathered data on emissions related to our business travel and undertook an analysis of our supply chain emissions in the form of purchased goods and services. The data gathered will help to shape policies as we seek to reduce our emissions. The technology used includes capabilities to forecast carbon reduction pathways which will prove important as we formally commit to reducing our carbon footprint.
Our People, Clients and Communities
Morrison Hershfield continued to advance policies and programs around employee engagement, leading health and safety systems, industry leadership, diversity, equity and inclusion, and community involvement. We became an active member of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and began pursuit of Progressive Aboriginal Relations certification. In 2023 we passed Phase 1 of our certification journey.
Strong Governance
We remain 100% employee owned, governed by our Board of Directors and guided by our 2025 Ambition strategy.
Morrison Hershfield is steadfastly committed to responsible and sustainable operations, and to helping our clients assess climate change vulnerability and risk and reduce embedded and operational carbon emissions in their infrastructure projects.
Together, we will continue to make a difference.
