The world is approaching a tipping point, beyond which the impact of climate change will be irreversible. At Roland Berger, we are well versed in the climate challenges. It is foreseeable that the first global stocktake since the Paris Agreement to assess progress on climate change will reveal that our current path is not enough to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Indeed, according to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), we are currently heading for global warming of well over two degrees.
Clearly, we need to stop talking about reducing emissions and start actually doing something about it. It’s time to turn climate ambition into climate action. Companies, public institutions, organizations and individuals must act now for the sake of humanity’s future.
At Roland Berger, we take a holistic approach to climate action. Our most impactful role is working with stakeholders to push the sustainability agenda. That means helping our clients decarbonize their operations and transform their businesses for a better future.
We believe that every step we take towards sustainability, no matter how small, contributes to the larger global effort to combat climate change – and so helps create a sustainable future for all.
" Sustainability is anchored deep in the firm, supported by a wide range of actions and full commitment by our managers. We believe in sustainable growth and are convinced that taking care of the planet is not just a trend, but a necessity. "
We take a comprehensive approach to climate action. Besides adjusting our own behavior, we help our clients decarbonize their operations, drawing on our many solutions and extensive decarbonization toolkit. We also help clients develop and implement technical innovations. Furthermore, we contribute to the public debate on climate action – shaping not only the way people think, but the way they act.
Our Global ESG Team is responsible for coordinating company-wide carbon accounting, monitoring and reporting on our ESG performance. This raises climate awareness and drives sustainability issues across the firm. At the same time, our network of Sustainability Ambassadors help us raise awareness about sustainability and environmental protection in all offices, ensuring that the actions we take also meet local needs.
Roland Berger is on a path to achieving net zero emissions in line with our commitment to the Paris Agreement goals. To guide our immediate actions, we have set ourselves short-term targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for all our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.
Our first target is to reduce our absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent by 2028, compared to our 2019 baseline. Our ultimate goal, validated by the SBTi, is to achieve net zero by 2040. In 2023, we achieved a 30 percent reduction in our emission intensity by revenue compared to the baseline.
Currently, our Scope 1 emissions account for four percent of our total footprint, and our Scope 2 emissions for just one percent. Scope 3 emissions – almost three-quarters of them related to business travel – remain our biggest source of emissions. Reducing them is challenging, as business travel is a critical part of how we deliver our services as a strategy consulting firm. We are therefore helping our teams rethink travel and implement flexible arrangements while not compromising the quality of our services for clients.
We believe that reaching the climate targets defined by the Paris Agreement in 2015 requires cooperation and commitment from everyone. Based on our deep industry knowledge and experience in decarbonization, we are expanding our role as knowledge leaders in the area of sustainability. We invest in research on topics including energy transition, smart mobility solutions, emissions reduction, supply chain risks and sustainability. Our insights are based on the latest research findings, expert assessments, future scenarios and associated opportunities for companies. We intend to fuel sustainability debates, drive innovation and catalyze change.
Our continuous research into sustainability and climate action allows us to position ourselves as thought leaders, helping stakeholders worldwide adapt their strategies to the challenges. We collaborate with public institutions, governmental bodies, business leaders, investors and NGOs around the globe.
" We still have a chance to limit the impact of global warming. By adopting bolder climate strategies, we can not only mitigate the damage to our planet but also build stronger economies and fairer societies. "
