Renewable electricity procurement via green tariffs, RECs/EACs, REGOs across all major geographies Stantec's primary strategy to reduce market-based Scope 2 emissions is large-scale renewable electricity procurement through three channels: selecting buildings with on-site renewable energy generation, purchasing green tariffs from utilities (e.g. 100% renewable supply in UK offices backed by REGOs from wind/hydro), and purchasing unbundled energy attribute certificates (US-RECs for wind in USA, RECs for wind in Canada, GOs for hydro in New Zealand and Norway/Italy, REGOs for wind in UK/Netherlands/Germany/Czechia). In 2021, this initiative contributed approximately 17,000 tCO2e in Scope 2 market-based reductions at a cost of CAD $200,000. Total renewable electricity consumed reached 63,148 MWh (approximately 92% of total electricity), reducing market-based Scope 2 from 21,131 tCO2e (location) to 3,161 tCO2e.
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Transition from carbon offsets toward inssets and engineered carbon capture as part of net-zero phased plan Stantec's net-zero plan involves a phased transition: in the near term, residual Scope 1+3 emissions are neutralized through CDP-approved certified carbon offsets (11,710 tCO2e retired in 2021 from forest projects in Peru, Canada, Indonesia, USA, and UK). In 2021, Stantec also piloted engineered carbon capture by purchasing 2 tCO2e of removal credits from Climeworks DAC technology. Longer-term, Stantec plans to progressively replace offsets with insets - actions Stantec takes to create carbon sequestration through ecosystem restoration projects, with the Innovation Office actively piloting new inset concepts. At net-zero target year (2050), unabated residual emissions (max 10% of baseline) will be neutralized through nature-based solutions and engineered carbon capture per SBTi Net Zero Standard.
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Net-zero 2050 commitment disclosed; SBTi validation sought within 2 years Stantec disclosed a phased net-zero commitment with target year 2050 under NZ1. Company considers this science-based and committed to seek SBTi Net Zero Standard validation within 2 years. Neutralization of max 10% baseline using nature-based and engineered carbon capture.
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2019 Scope 3 baseline restated upward as part of SBTi validation Minor adjustments were made to the 2019 Scope 3 baseline as part of SBTi validation - adding hotel emissions to business travel, furniture/mobile phones/computers to purchased goods, updating GWP factors, and adding employee commuting. This increases the baseline and makes the target more rigorous.
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Net zero target by 2050 (NZ1) covering Scope 1, 2 and 3 Stantec set a net zero target by 2050 covering Scope 1, Scope 2 (market-based) and all Scope 3 categories except cat 10 and 11. Linked to near-term SBTs (Abs1 and Abs2). Plan involves 4 phases including renewables, travel reduction, carbon offsets transitioning to inssets.
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SBTi-validated 1.5°C near-term absolute target (Abs 2) - 47% S3 Business Travel by 2030 Stantec set and had approved by the Science Based Targets initiative a 47% absolute reduction target for Scope 3 Category 6 business travel emissions by 2030 from a 2019 baseline of 31,061 tCO2e. This covers >70% of 2019 baseline Scope 3.
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100% renewable electricity target by 2030 Stantec set a target to achieve 100% renewable electricity consumption by 2030 from a 2019 baseline of 0.44% renewable. In 2023, 94.62% achieved through EACs and green tariffs across 13 countries.
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SBTi-validated 1.5°C near-term target (Abs1): 47% reduction in Scope 1+2 by 2030 Stantec set a SBTi-approved absolute emissions target (Abs1) to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 market-based emissions 47% by 2030 from a 2019 base year (42,278 tCO2e baseline). As of 2022, combined Scope 1+2 = 15,485 tCO2e, already exceeding target, though partially attributed to pandemic-related office closures.
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Primary: Fleet electrification and low-carbon purchased goods via supplier engagement Fleet emissions are the largest single Scope 1 source at 7,780 tCO2e in 2021 (55% of Scope 1). Stantec acknowledges the slow pace of EV availability as a market risk impacting fleet decarbonisation, particularly given fieldwork requirements for four-wheel-drive high-clearance vehicles. For purchased goods (Scope 3 Cat 1, 2,301 tCO2e in 2021), Stantec engages 18 centralized suppliers annually to collect activity data, requires EPEAT/Energy Star-certified computers, mandates device take-back programs, centralizes print management to require post-consumer recycled paper, and incorporates sustainability criteria into vendor selection processes.
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SBTi-approved 1.5°C absolute Scope 3 business travel target set (47% reduction by 2030 vs 2019 baseline) In 2021, Stantec received SBTi approval for a 47% absolute reduction in Scope 3 business travel emissions by 2030 against a 2019 baseline of 31,061 tCO2e. This covers >70% of 2019 Scope 3 baseline. Target reference Abs2.
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