Mott MacDonald's story
As an employee-owned company, our staff locally play a large part in defining the shape and strategy of our business. Long-term sustainability is high on their and our agenda. As a company, we have an obligation to act responsibly, and this includes our impact on the earth and its environment. Therefore, starting our own journey to zero-carbon seemed the obvious thing to do.
From the beginning, we shared details of our carbon footprint openly with our employees via a Power BI dashboard, and this has allowed them all to drill into the data and provide their own suggestions on how to cut our emissions. A lot of our actions are driven by ideas from our staff, and these crowd-sourced ideas can be very location-specific.
It’s important to us that we are consistent in what we say and do. We have a thriving business in carbon management, and it is essential that we have our house in order as the focus shifts from carbon reduction to net-zero. Locally, clients and partners are already talking to us about our carbon neutral journey, and how they may follow suit.
There will also be benefits for those we work with, especially our clients, who need to consider carbon emissions in their supply chain. We have the certification they require when working out their own carbon accounts, helping them to drive down their overall project footprint.
Useful learnings from Mott MacDonald
Get help, support and advice. This is an activity which needs thought, consideration and a strategic plan. It needs to be a mindset, rather than a box to tick. We look at our supply chain to ensure they have strong management principles in place with regard to carbon management and a clear plan to net zero.
Everything we do has a carbon footprint, so view it from that perspective first, rather than lowest price or fastest delivery. It’s a fundamental change to how to run a business, so important that it isn’t underestimated.
Seek accreditation: Certification from external bodies will bolster your credibility within the industry and can also provide guidance if you need support in meeting your carbon neutral goals.
Make the most of technology: Use dashboards and data-based solutions to find out where the carbon is and use technological solutions where possible to mitigate it.
Leadership must come from the top: Embedding large-scale change is only successful if there is buy-in and visible support from senior leaders.
Share responsibility across the company: Once each employee and each department see their carbon footprint, they are empowered and encouraged to find ways to cut it.
Collaborate with other organisations: Ask your suppliers and partners how they can help you reduce your carbon footprint.
Set science-based targets: Make sure you’re playing your fair part in cutting carbon, to reach the global goal of attaining net-zero emissions.
