DE&I goals for 2025 established Set five key diversity goals to be met by end of fiscal year 2025 (firm's 100th anniversary): 30% new hires Black/Hispanic, 35% NLT diverse, 40% PPMDs diverse, 50% hot-skills training, 50% increase in veterans/disabilities representation.
▾ expand
Net zero by 2050 commitment (real, no offsets); 21% reduction by 2023 Grant Thornton states commitment to reach real net-zero by 2050 without relying on offsetting. Also states a near-term target of reducing emissions by 21% by 2023. Claims to be the first accountancy firm in the world to set science-based targets.
▾ expand
COVID-19 reduced emissions via homeworking and travel restrictions Due to the global pandemic, emissions in 2020 from energy consumption and travel naturally reduced due to the shift to homeworking and travel restrictions. In unoccupied offices, procedures were put in place to ensure minimal energy consumption.
▾ expand
Primary: Business travel reduction — ensuring travel occurs only when necessary The firm identified business travel (road transport, Scope 3: 674 tCO2e in 2020) as a key reduction area. In 2021, Grant Thornton planned to look into the way the firm works going forward to ensure travel occurs when necessary rather than as the norm. COVID-19 travel restrictions naturally reduced travel emissions in 2020.
▾ expand
Wealth Advisory business disposal completed; contingent consideration received in 2020 On 26 June 2019, Grant Thornton UK LLP disposed of its Wealth Advisory business to 1825, Standard Life Aberdeen's financial planning business. An additional £3m contingent consideration was recognised in 2020 along with release of a £0.2m provision.
▾ expand
Primary: Science-based emissions reduction target — 21% by 2023, net zero by 2050 Grant Thornton claims to be the first accountancy firm in the world to set science-based targets, committing to reduce emissions by 21% by 2023 and to reach real net-zero by 2050 without relying on offsetting. The firm tracks Scope 1 (natural gas), Scope 2 (electricity) and Scope 3 (road transport) under the GHG Protocol, externally verified under SECR regulations. Total footprint in 2020 was 2,008 tCO2e.
▾ expand
Primary: Waste, recycling and paper reduction initiatives The firm identifies waste and recycling, and paper as main areas for impact reduction alongside business travel and energy. Teams of environmental champions across the UK help to educate, drive change and encourage positive behaviours, identifying ways to reduce consumption and make small changes to make a big difference.
▾ expand
SECR reporting under GHG Protocol with external verification In accordance with the Companies (Directors' Report) and LLP (Energy and Carbon Report) Regulations 2018, the firm presents energy and carbon data under the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard. Calculations externally verified. Scope 3 covers road transport only.
▾ expand
IFRS 16 Leases adopted from 1 January 2020 The Group adopted IFRS 16 from 1 January 2020 using a modified retrospective approach, recognising right-of-use assets of £56.2m and lease liabilities of £59.4m at transition. Prior period comparatives not restated.
▾ expand
Primary: Office energy reduction — unoccupied offices and homeworking shift During COVID-19 lockdowns, procedures were put in place to ensure minimal energy consumption in unoccupied offices while meeting health and safety requirements. In 2021, Grant Thornton planned to assess the behaviour change and differences in energy use and GHG emissions associated with the shift to home working. Total energy use in 2020 was 7,142,753 kWh, down from prior periods.
▾ expand