WPP — full event log

Refrigerant gases used to cool buildings — immaterial in 2021 when 2025 reduction target was set — have become material based on initial assessment and will be included in updated Scope 1 emissions total disclosed later in 2026.

sustainability_report p.35

In February 2026, WPP announced Elevate28 strategy and simplification into four operating units (WPP Media, WPP Production, WPP Enterprise Solutions, WPP Creative) across four regions. This will trigger a reassessment of operating segments in 2026 reporting and may affect comparability.

sustainability_report p.4

WPP will recalculate its 2019 carbon emissions baseline in line with SBTi guidelines to reflect progress and changes in business model/portfolio, and publish updated emissions reduction targets and net zero commitment in 2026.

sustainability_report p.35

In 2025, WPP will recalculate its baseline carbon emissions in line with SBTi guidelines, as required every five years. WPP will publish its first formal Transition Plan once this exercise is complete.

sustainability_report p.11

WPP achieved its near-term science-based target of 84% absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions reduction by 2025 (vs 2019 baseline), reaching 89% reduction. Will set new long-term commitments in 2026 aligned with SBTi Corporate Net Zero Standard.

sustainability_report p.35

On 4 April 2025, WPP acquired 100% of Cognitive Logic Inc. (InfoSum) for £108 million cash consideration. £91 million goodwill recognised. InfoSum powers the Open Intelligence data layer.

sustainability_report p.174

In 2025, WPP applied RE100 Technical Criteria-aligned exclusions for markets under 100MWh and where renewable electricity not technically feasible — reaching 100% renewable (99.8% without exclusions). This is a methodology change vs prior years.

sustainability_report p.51

Cindy Rose appointed CEO 1 September 2025, succeeding Mark Read who stepped down after 7 years. New leadership led strategic review culminating in Elevate28 plan announced February 2026.

sustainability_report p.4

WPP recognised £641m goodwill impairment in 2025, primarily £393m for Ogilvy CGU (including Grey) and £123m for AKQA, reflecting weaker trading performance, macro pressures, tariffs, and a specific global client loss at AKQA.

sustainability_report p.154

In October 2023 WPP announced the merger of Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R to form VML, effective January 2024.

sustainability_report p.5

WPP expanded its emissions reduction roadmap to include Innovation & AI as a sixth hotspot in 2024, reflecting the growing importance of AI across the business.

sustainability_report p.19

WPP will publish its first formal Transition Plan in 2024, aligned to recommendations of the Transition Plan Taskforce, with decarbonisation roadmaps across six material emissions hotspots.

sustainability_report p.19

On 2 December 2024, WPP completed the disposal of its 50.4% investment in FGS Global to KKR for cash consideration of £613m, generating a £275m gain on disposal before tax. Removes FGS goodwill of £448m from the balance sheet.

sustainability_report p.47

During 2024, WPP reallocated a number of businesses between Global Integrated Agencies, Specialist Agencies and Public Relations, changing the composition of reportable segments. Prior year comparatives restated.

sustainability_report p.14

In January 2024 WPP announced the merger of BCW and Hill & Knowlton to create Burson, effective July 2024.

sustainability_report p.5

Goodwill impairment charge of £237m (2023: £63m, 2022: £38m), with £158m relating to AKQA Group due to underperformance from macroeconomic pressure on project-based work. Recoverable amount calculated on FVLCD basis.

sustainability_report p.22

Air travel emissions increased by 21% in 2024 vs 2023, though remain 25% below pre-pandemic 2019 levels. 68% of total (61,894 tCO2e) was from centrally contracted flights and subject to PwC limited assurance; the remainder is estimated from non-centrally booked flights.

sustainability_report p.11

VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson formally merged into VML effective 1 January 2024. BCW and Hill & Knowlton merged into Burson effective 1 July 2024. Drove £20m accelerated amortisation of C&W brands and reorganisation of CGUs for impairment testing.

sustainability_report p.24

Following a competitive tender process, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was appointed as auditor of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2024, replacing Deloitte LLP. First year of uninterrupted PwC engagement.

sustainability_report p.16

WPP disposed of FGS Global in Q4 2024, with consideration received less cash and cash equivalents disposed of £520 million, and a gain on disposal of £275 million. This affects period-over-period comparisons especially in Public Relations segment.

sustainability_report p.150

2024 business air travel emissions restated due to identification of out-of-scope exchanged flights (19% overstatement of centrally contracted travel, 16% of total). 2024 heat and steam misclassified as natural gas — Scope 2 location-based understated by 1.2%, market-based by 10.7%. Improved data quality work via Watershed.

sustainability_report p.51

Following a competitive tender, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was appointed external auditor from 2024 financial year, replacing Deloitte LLP.

sustainability_report p.148

WPP disposed of FGS Global in December 2024. FGS was one of WPP's public affairs agencies.

sustainability_report p.25

In 2024 WPP conducted its first double materiality assessment in preparation for the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). This updates the climate-related risks and opportunities identified in the TCFD statement.

sustainability_report p.1

In 2023 WPP integrated travel by class into metrics subject to assurance for the first time, improving consistency and coverage of flight emissions data.

sustainability_report p.9

PricewaterhouseCoopers provided independent limited assurance over selected ESG performance metrics for year ending 31 December 2023, in line with ISAE 3000 and ISAE 3410.

sustainability_report p.48

WPP's CDP climate change score in 2023 was B (2022: A-), which the company attributes to changes in CDP's scoring criteria designed to ensure companies continually improve climate ambitions.

sustainability_report p.3

In 2023 WPP simplified reporting to reflect its campus consolidation programme, detailed in the 2023 reporting criteria.

sustainability_report p.9

In 2023 WPP acquired subsidiaries with consideration of £355m (£227m cash + £128m payments due to vendors), generating £298m of goodwill, vs only £55m of consideration and £34m goodwill in 2024.

sustainability_report p.44

In 2023, WPP integrated travel by class into metrics subject to independent limited assurance for the first time, improving accuracy of business air travel emissions reporting.

sustainability_report p.22

An error was identified in 2022 energy consumption due to historic structure complexity, resulting in an 8% restatement of Scope 2 market-based and 6% restatement of Scope 2 location-based emissions.

sustainability_report p.9

WPP simplified emissions reporting across campuses and identified a material error in 2022 energy consumption, resulting in an 8% restatement of Scope 2 market-based emissions and 6% restatement of location-based emissions.

sustainability_report p.21

On 4 March 2022, WPP Board decided to discontinue operations in Russia following invasion of Ukraine, affecting nearly 1,400 employees. Companies being transferred to local ownership.

sustainability_report p.3

In 2021, WPP appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) as independent limited assurance provider over selected ESG metrics. 2022 is the first full year with PwC limited assurance, including selected Scope 1, 2 and Scope 3 air travel metrics.

sustainability_report p.4

In 2022, air travel emissions increased significantly compared to 2020 and 2021 as Covid-19 travel restrictions were lifted. Scope 3 business air travel emissions were 55,662 tCO2e, an increase of 387% versus 2021 and a decrease of 55% versus pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

sustainability_report p.23

In 2022, WPP collected air travel emissions using centrally managed data from three travel management companies for the first time, covering 79% of group air travel (extrapolated for remaining 21%). This improved consistency and accuracy of air travel data compared to prior years.

sustainability_report p.23

In 2022, GroupM developed and released a methodology for calculating emissions from media and launched a coalition of leading advertisers worth $10 billion in global advertising investment. This is the first holding company to account for media emissions in science-based targets.

sustainability_report p.23

WPP introduced a revised Assignment Acceptance Policy and Framework in 2022 with specific principles for working with energy clients, given their central role in the energy transition. Policy is not to take on client work designed to frustrate the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

sustainability_report p.31

In 2022, WPP launched a Green Claims Guide informed by guidance from regulators and underpinned by legal compliance advice, to help agencies ensure environmental claims made on behalf of clients are fair and accurate and avoid greenwashing.

sustainability_report p.30

In April 2021, WPP committed to reach net zero emissions in operations (Scope 1 and 2) by 2025 and across supply chain by 2030, including media buying. Targets verified by SBTi in line with 1.5°C ambition: 84% absolute Scope 1 and 2 reduction by 2025 and 50% absolute Scope 3 reduction by 2030, both from a 2019 base year. Industry-first inclusion of media placement emissions.

sustainability_report p.31

In 2021 WPP set near-term science-based targets verified by SBTi: 84% absolute Scope 1 and 2 reduction by 2025 and 50% absolute Scope 3 reduction by 2030 (from 2019 baseline), including media buying emissions — an industry first.

sustainability_report p.8

In August 2021, the Sustainability Committee participated in selecting PwC as new independent assurance provider for non-financial data. Selected ESG metrics subject to independent limited assurance for the year ended 31 December 2021.

sustainability_report p.7

In November 2021, WPP successfully amended and supplemented its $2.5 billion revolving credit facility to link the margin to specific sustainability measures, embedding carbon-reduction targets into financing arrangements.

sustainability_report p.31

PwC issued a qualified limited assurance conclusion on air travel metrics due to inconsistent application of reporting criteria across multiple territories. WPP working to develop more robust protocols and calculation methodologies.

sustainability_report p.58

WPP committed to sourcing 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025 as a member of RE100. Progressed from 65% in 2020 to 74% in 2021.

sustainability_report p.33

In December 2021, CDP awarded WPP an A- rating (up from B in 2020), reflecting ambition of new net zero strategy, emissions-reduction targets and strengthened governance.

sustainability_report p.35

In 2021, WPP set near-term science-based targets verified by SBTi: 84% absolute Scope 1 and 2 reduction by 2025 and 50% absolute Scope 3 reduction by 2030 (from 2019 base year). These targets include emissions from media buying (more than half of total footprint) - an industry first. Net zero across own operations by 2025 and supply chain by 2030.

sustainability_report p.18

WPP was the first company in its sector to include emissions from media placement and advertising production in its near-term science-based reduction targets, covering approximately two-thirds of its total carbon footprint.

sustainability_report p.10

In 2021, WPP set SBTi-verified near-term targets to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 84% by 2025 and absolute Scope 3 emissions by 50% by 2030 from a 2019 baseline. Notably includes media buying emissions — an industry first.

sustainability_report p.19

In 2021 WPP set near-term SBTi-verified targets: 84% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025 and 50% absolute reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2030, both from a 2019 baseline. WPP was the first company in its sector to include emissions from media placement and advertising production in its near-term targets.

sustainability_report p.10

In 2021, WPP engaged PwC to provide independent third-party limited assurance over selected ESG metrics, including under ISAE 3410 for GHG emissions. Continued in 2024.

sustainability_report p.1

WPP committed to source 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025. In 2024 it reached 93% (2023: 88%).

sustainability_report p.10

In 2020 WPP carried out a full emissions inventory using GHG Protocol standards, beginning measurement of Scope 3 categories including media buying (55% of footprint), production (14%), and other procurement. Media emissions inclusion is an industry first.

sustainability_report p.32

In 2020, WPP assessed its full value chain emissions for the first time using 2019 emissions data, working with Carbon Intelligence. Total scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions were 5.4m tCO2e, with scope 3 representing 98.3% of footprint.

sustainability_report p.30

From January 2021 AKQA and VMLY&R Commerce are reported within Global Integrated Agencies following the alignment of AKQA and Grey, and the creation of VMLY&R Commerce.

sustainability_report p.8

In 2020 WPP updated its greenhouse gas accounting methodology to align with best practice and as a result restated some past year figures, including the 2019 renewable electricity figure (restated upon joining RE100).

sustainability_report p.58

WPP committed to invest $30 million over three years to fund inclusion programmes within WPP and to support external organisations as part of commitments to advance racial equity.

sustainability_report p.18

WPP committed to reach net zero emissions in its operations by 2025 (scope 1 and 2) and across its supply chain by 2030 (scope 3), including emissions from media investment - an industry first. Targets to be verified by SBTi.

sustainability_report p.4

Office closures due to COVID-19 contributed to significant fall in carbon emissions per employee (down 37% YoY) and absolute scope 1+2 market-based emissions fell 41%. Air travel emissions fell 81%. ~95% of staff worked from home at peak. ~7,000 redundancies made. Revenue fell from £13.2bn to £12.0bn.

sustainability_report p.30

For the first time in 2020, company car emissions were included in the scope 1 footprint (18K tCO2e in 2019 baseline data).

sustainability_report p.30

WPP committed to sourcing 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025 and became a member of RE100.

sustainability_report p.32

Bureau Veritas provided independent limited assurance over selected sustainability data including scope 1, 2 and scope 3 business travel emissions, employment data, H&S data, and waste data.

sustainability_report p.60