40
CANADA’S GREENEST EMPLOYERS 2022
KPMG takes action to achieve net zero emissions
I
n 2020, KPMG in Canada committed to becoming a net zero carbon business by 2030. Since this goal was set, it has become a core mission for KPMG people and leaders, which is no small feat in a major national firm with more than 10,000 people in over 40 locations across Canada. “This is a huge priority for KPMG, not just in terms of mitigating our impact at work and at home, but also in terms of employee engagement and really inspiring others outside of KPMG to go green and do more,” says Arundel Gibson, family advisor, philanthropy and impact.
This is a huge priority for KPMG, not just in terms of mitigating our impact at work and at home, but also in terms of employee engagement and really inspiring others outside of KPMG to go green and do more. — Arundel Gibson Family Advisor, Philanthropy and Impact
In order to mobilize the energy and passion of the KPMG community at the grass roots level, the firm has launched several initiatives. “We’ve started a people’s network that connects Green Champions across the regions,” says Alexandra Findlay,
Arundel Gibson, family advisor, philanthropy and impact at KPMG, and her family are committed to land and water conservation for future generations.
sustainability specialist with KPMG social impact. “When we come together, we can build on each other’s learning and really make an impact.” As dedicated volunteers, Green Champions act as the liaison between their local sustainable committee and the KPMG social impact team, enabling successful initiatives to be replicated in other offices, says Gibson, who stepped up to serve as the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Green Champion. Several other promising initiatives have started rolling out, such as the new policy around corporate travel. With COVID-19
restrictions easing and employees returning to the office, the goal of the new policy is to reduce the firm’s total greenhouse gas emissions, including those from travel, to 50 per cent below pre-pandemic levels. Findlay adds that employees will strike a balance between working at home and at the office, reducing commuting and, simultaneously, reducing emissions related to personal travel. As for home offices, she says there are several steps employees can take to make their in-house operations more efficient while still ensuring people fulfil client and
team needs. KPMG is focused on ensuring its teams can move seamlessly across different environments and still continue its green mission. For instance, videoconferencing without video (saves 96 per cent of emissions from a streamed call), and turning off personal computers and monitors when they’re not in use. KPMG is also exploring opportunities to make its offices more energy efficient to actively reduce emissions. This means working with the landlords who own the firm’s corporate locations. “Buildings are a slower transition than travel, but conversations have