100% renewable electricity target set for 2026 Cognizant committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity sourcing by 2026. Achieved 52% renewable electricity in India in 2023, up from 44% in 2022. Strategy includes PPAs for solar and wind, landlord engagement, green tariffs, and Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs).
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Base year and past years' Scope 3 emissions recalculated due to EEIO factor change Cognizant's base year (2019) and all past years (2019-2022) Scope 3 emissions were recalculated following the switch from Quantis 2016 to EPA EEIO 2023 emission factors. Affects Cat 1, 2, 4, and 6. Policy aligned with SBTi guidelines.
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Annual limited assurance by PwC covering all Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions Cognizant obtained annual limited assurance from PwC for all Scope 1, 2 (both location and market-based), and Scope 3 emissions data under AICPA AT-C Section 105 attestation standards. 100% of reported emissions verified.
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Residual emissions to be neutralised with permanent carbon removals by 2040 Cognizant intends to neutralize residual emissions (the ~10% remaining after 90% absolute reduction) with permanent carbon removals at the end of its 2040 net-zero target. The firm also plans to purchase and cancel carbon credits for neutralization at the end of the target period. Near-term, Cognizant states it will source high-quality, credibly certified carbon offsets as one of its decarbonization levers. No specific removal volumes or technologies (DAC, BECCS, biochar) are named; the firm does not intend to mitigate emissions beyond its value chain through other means.
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Primary: Employee commuting reduction via EV fleet and remote work Cognizant monitors associate commuting as a key Scope 3 Cat 7 source. In 2023, 176 electric vehicles were added to the transport fleet provided for associates commuting outside normal working hours. Commuting emissions fell 72% compared to the 2019 baseline, from 103,139 tCO2e to 28,967 tCO2e in 2023. The firm uses a distance-based methodology to calculate commuting emissions.
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Dependent: Client decarbonisation services (Solving for Sustainability) As companies seek to deliver on their net-zero goals, Cognizant sees growing demand for its decarbonisation services. The firm offers five capabilities: (1) Net zero pathways using machine-learning, digital twins, IoT; (2) Sustainability and ESG reporting; (3) Sustainable products and circular economy; (4) Sustainable manufacturing and operations; (5) Sustainable supply chains. Cognizant uses a proprietary Carbon Calculator Tool aligned to GHG Protocol across all 3 scopes to provide project-level emissions estimates for clients.
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Primary: Business travel reduction through thoughtful travel policy and virtual meetings Cognizant uses its travel booking systems to identify reasons for travel, routes, airlines, and inefficient journeys, providing guidance to associates on avoiding unnecessary travel. In 2023, associates undertook over 11.5 million virtual meetings. Scope 3 Cat 6 business travel emissions were 95,230 tCO2e in 2023 (base year 2019: 251,346 tCO2e), driven by air travel and accommodation spend. The firm tracks both flight-based emissions (distance method) and other business travel (spend-based via ERP).
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100% renewable electricity by 2026 via PPAs, green tariffs, and EACs Cognizant has committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity sourcing by 2026 as part of its SBTi-validated net-zero goal. In 2023, 52% of electricity consumed in India came from renewable sources (up from 44% in 2022). The strategy focuses on: (1) long-term physical PPAs to source solar and wind-generated electricity for owned properties in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra; (2) engagement with landlords to source renewable electricity at leased properties; (3) sourcing electricity on green tariffs; and (4) purchasing Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs). Cognizant is a member of RE100.
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Emission factors changed from Quantis (2016) to US EPA EEIO (2023) for Scope 3 categories 1,2,4,6 In 2023, Cognizant changed Scope 3 emission factors for Categories 1, 2, 4 and 6 from 2016 Quantis factors to 2023 U.S. EPA EEIO factors. This change was retrospectively applied to 2019-2022 data.
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SBTi-validated net-zero target: 90% reduction by 2040, 50% by 2030 Cognizant has an SBTi-validated net-zero target: reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 77% by 2030, reduce absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions 47% by 2030, and reduce absolute Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions 90% by 2040, from a 2019 base year. Net zero across value chain by 2040.
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