Kearney, a prominent management consulting firm based in Chicago, has seen a significant increase in the number of client sustainability projects it undertook in 2023, as highlighted in its fifth annual sustainability report.
According to the report, Kearney worked on over 300 sustainability-related engagements last year, marking a notable increase from the 170 projects in 2022. These projects encompassed a wide range of initiatives, including decarbonization strategy, sustainable supply chains, and circularity.
Richard Forrest, a partner at Kearney, expressed satisfaction with the firm’s efforts to enhance sustainability within the communities and environments it operates in. Against the backdrop of global challenges in 2023, Forrest emphasized the crucial role of cross-industry collaboration in fostering a sustainable future.
In a move towards promoting sustainability, Kearney launched the “Center for a Sustainable Future” in 2023, aimed at connecting leaders involved in regenerative businesses with experts and think tanks. Additionally, the firm actively participated in COP28 and New York Climate Week.
Noteworthy achievements in decarbonization were also highlighted in the report, with Kearney successfully reducing scope 1 and 2 emissions by 66% in 2023, surpassing its set target of 50% by 2030.
Moreover, Kearney’s commitment to sustainability was recognized through its inclusion in the CDP Climate A List, ranking within the top 17% of 21,000 companies, and receiving a platinum rating from EcoVadis, placing it among the top 1% of the 100,000 evaluated companies.
Looking ahead, Kearney intends to launch an internal carbon pricing program this year, focusing on air travel to reduce travel-related emissions. The funds generated from this program will be directed towards investing in carbon projects, sustainable aviation fuel, and other eco-friendly initiatives.
Pei Yun Teng, global director for social impact at Kearney, shared his vision for 2024, emphasizing the firm’s commitment to embedding sustainability in all operations. The Internal Carbon Pricing program is poised to drive transparency and accountability, enabling Kearney to make strides towards its target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
Through its continued dedication to sustainability and innovative initiatives, Kearney is poised to further its impact on environmental stewardship and drive positive change in the consulting industry.
