100% renewable electricity via EACs; Middle East offices on solar; RE100 member The UK Firm met its target of sourcing 100% of electricity from renewable sources in FY2023, with the majority of office space operating on renewables and remaining coverage via Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs). As a result, market-based Scope 2 electricity emissions are zero. The Middle East business has all offices 100% powered by solar renewable energy, with offices in Egypt, Jordan and UAE RE100 compliant. The PwC Network continues its support for the RE100 initiative to source 100% renewable electricity. Solar panel installation commenced at the Beirut office in June 2023.
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Dependent: Supply chain decarbonisation: engaging suppliers to set SBTi-validated targets The Group's strategy includes engaging with suppliers to make their own SBTi-validated reduction targets, with a commitment that 50% of the Group's suppliers (by emissions) will have set their own science-based target by 2025. The UK Firm's Supply Chain Sustainability programme is designed to drive down carbon emissions through collaboration and innovation to measure, report and set targets. Key suppliers are selected on the basis of spend, sustainability impact, and modern slavery risk. A free SME support programme was offered to over 100 small and medium-sized enterprise suppliers, covering 15% of total spend, providing Net Zero training materials and carbon footprinting tools.
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Primary: Business travel reduction via Thoughtful Travel programme and hybrid working Business travel is the dominant source of Scope 3 emissions for the Group (36,436 tCO2e in FY2023, 51% below 2019 baseline). The UK Firm operates a comprehensive 'Thoughtful Travel' programme to challenge travel-related planning and choices across the business through improving management information. The Group embraces a hybrid way of working with clients, where face-to-face meetings complement virtual engagement. Travel dashboards have been rolled out to senior leadership in each territory, and in the Middle East, the firm engages with suppliers to support lower carbon intensive travel arrangements.
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Acquisition of People Force Consulting Ltd (PwC Digital Technology Services) On 1 April 2023, the Group acquired 100% of People Force Consulting Ltd (renamed PwC Digital Technology Services Limited) for £5m consideration, of which £2m deferred. Generated £0.5m revenue and £0.7m losses in FY2023. Goodwill of £2m recognised.
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SBTi-validated Net Zero by 2030 commitment PwC Group committed to Net Zero by 2030 as part of PwC Network commitment; targets validated by SBTi. Involves halving operational carbon footprint against 2019 baseline, achieving 100% renewable electricity, and maintaining carbon neutrality from 2030 via removal credits.
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Disposal of Regnology TIR UK Ltd (tax software subsidiary) On 1 July 2022, the Group disposed of its investment in Regnology TIR UK Ltd (formerly PwC Tax Information Reporting Limited), which offered specialised tax software for wealth advisors, for consideration of £7m, resulting in a gain on disposal of £4m.
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Business travel emissions rebounded sharply after pandemic easing Following easing of pandemic-related travel restrictions and pent up demand in FY2022, the UK's business travel rose significantly (36,436 tCO2e in FY2023 vs 15,493 tCO2e in FY2022), driving the overall increase in total reported emissions. This is noted as a COVID recovery effect.
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Primary: Office energy efficiency and building optimisation The UK Firm has invested heavily in energy-efficient offices through energy savings projects and refurbishments. Key initiatives include LED lighting upgrades (Newcastle and Edinburgh), temporary office closures over Christmas saving ~230,000 kWh, shifting evening cleaning to daytime to enable earlier lighting shutdown, and a UK-wide heating and cooling optimisation strategy enabling building management systems to run reactively. Together these saved approximately 690,000 kWh of energy per year. The energy management system is certified to ISO 50001 since 2012 and the environmental management system to ISO 14001 since 2008.
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Primary: Fugitive emissions and stationary fuel reduction Scope 1 emissions totalled 376 tCO2e in FY2023, down 55% from the 2019 baseline of 841 tCO2e. This includes fugitive emissions (refrigerant leaks) of 71 tCO2e and natural gas/biogas of 305 tCO2e. Gas consumption increased 14% in FY2023 due to an extended cold spell and running tri-fuel generators to reduce reliance on grid electricity. The Group has transitioned away from biodiesel (0 tCO2e in FY2023 vs 19 tCO2e in 2019 baseline). Heating and cooling optimisation and energy efficiency investment continue to drive down Scope 1 emissions over time.
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Transition to 100% carbon removal credits by 2030; REDD+ and LEAF Coalition offsets used currently The Group has committed to maintaining carbon neutrality and investing in carbon removal from 2030 to compensate for all remaining emissions, transitioning to 100% carbon removal credits by 2030. In the interim (2024–2028), the Group has committed to purchasing high integrity nature-based avoidance carbon credits verified against the ART/TREES standard, as part of the private-public LEAF Coalition. In FY2023, the UK used 3 REDD+ emission avoidance projects in recognised biodiversity hotspots to offset Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, achieving 100% offset of total emissions. The Group offsets residual emissions every year and is transitioning away from avoidance credits toward durable removal credits by 2030.
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