GT commits net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030

CHICAGO — Grant Thornton LLP, the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd., has committed to a science-based goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030. This commitment is part of the global effort to limit the planet’s temperature rise to 1.5 degrees or less.

To ensure it meets its goal, Grant Thornton has formally signed on to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to validate that Grant Thornton’s carbon-reduction goals are in line with scientific recommendations to address climate change.

Grant Thornton plans to achieve its net zero goal by reducing business travel, better using its office space and increasing energy efficiency across its operations. The firm may also use carbon credits and other investments in the future to account for any residual carbon emissions.

The net zero goal complements a range of firmwide sustainability efforts described in Grant Thornton’s 2020 sustainability report. In addition, earlier this year, Grant Thornton committed to an absolute reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030.

“The time for strong and clear action to limit climate change has arrived,” said Brad Preber, CEO of Grant Thornton. “By adopting a net zero emissions goal, Grant Thornton is fully committing to a science-based strategy to sustainably serve our clients and our communities by the end of this decade. We understand the need to act quickly to reduce our environmental footprint in a timeframe that maximizes the benefit.”

According to Beatrix Bernauer, chief risk and compliance officer at Grant Thornton: “In recent years, Grant Thornton has made sustainability central to our operating philosophy and fully integrated it into our growth strategy. Our new net zero emissions goal represents the maturation of this effort.”

Grant Thornton’s efforts are consistent with Grant Thornton International Ltd.’s recent commitment under the Net Zero Financial Service Providers Alliance — an effort linked to the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero, or GFANZ.

About Grant Thornton

“Grant Thornton” is the brand for two professional-services entities: Grant Thornton LLP, a licensed, certified public accounting (CPA) firm that provides audit and assurance services ― and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (not a licensed CPA firm), which exclusively provides non-attest offerings, including tax and advisory services. With revenues of $2.4 billion for the fiscal year that ended July 31, 2023, and dozens of offices nationwide, Grant Thornton represents a community of almost 10,000 problem solvers, relationship builders, and industry specialists who know that how we serve matters as much as what we do.

Grant Thornton LLP, Grant Thornton Advisors LLC and their respective subsidiaries operate as an alternative practice structure (APS). The APS conforms with applicable laws, regulations and professional standards, including those from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Grant Thornton LLP and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC serve as the U.S. member firms of the Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL) network. GTIL and its member firms are not a worldwide partnership and all member firms are separate legal entities. Member firms deliver all services; GTIL does not provide services to clients.