100% renewable electricity via EACs aligned to RE100 standards since 2020 Since 2020, Bain purchases Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) annually to cover 100% of its electricity consumption. The firm strives to align with RE100 standards for EAC criteria, although it is not an RE100 member. Bain's near-term SBTi target commits to continuing 100% renewable electricity sourcing through 2030, and its long-term target extends this commitment from 2030 through 2050. EAC purchases are approved annually by the Board and GOC as part of the carbon instruments budget.
▾ expand
Switched to well-to-wake (WTW) air travel emissions — increased Scope 3 business travel ~9.8% In 2024, Bain began reporting both direct combustion emissions and upstream production/delivery of aviation fuel (well-to-wake). This increased Scope 3 Business Travel emissions by approximately 9.8%. Prior years were not restated.
▾ expand
Used 2022 BEIS air travel emission factors instead of 2023 factors — decreased Scope 3 business travel ~31% Bain opted to use 2022 BEIS emission factors for air travel in 2024 rather than 2023 factors, because 2023 factors reflected unusually low pandemic-era aircraft occupancy. This decreased Scope 3 Business Travel emissions by approximately 31%. Not retrospectively applied.
▾ expand
Dependent: Client sustainability transformation — embedding sustainability in 100% of client engagements Bain is on a multi-year journey to fully embed sustainability in 100% of client engagements, working across industries to help clients decarbonise, redesign supply chains, and build circular economies. The Sustainability practice — Bain's fastest growing — delivers dedicated solutions across energy, carbon, circularity, food systems, and finance. Bain published over 90 sustainability insights in 2024 and invested in training all consulting staff through programmes such as the MIT 'Sustainability in Action' course available to 100% of employees via Springboard.
▾ expand
SBTi long-term targets approved: 90% Scope 1&2 reduction and 97% Scope 3/FTE by 2050 Bain's long-term SBTi targets were approved in 2024: reduce absolute Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions 90% by 2050 from 2019 base year; source 100% renewable electricity 2030-2050; reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions 97% per FTE by 2050 from 2019 base year.
▾ expand
SBTi near-term targets validated — Bain on track with 52% Scope 1&2 and 60% business travel reduction vs 2019 As of 2024, Bain has reduced Scopes 1 & 2 market-based emissions by 52% against its 2019 baseline (target: 30% by 2026) and achieved a 60% reduction in business travel emissions/FTE (target: 35% by 2026). SBTi near-term targets are considered on track.
▾ expand
Beyond Value Chain Mitigation — offset >100% of annual emissions via carbon removal credits since 2021 Bain has committed to a Beyond Value Chain Mitigation (BVCM) pledge to purchase high-quality carbon removal offset credits exceeding 100% of its annual market-based emissions, achieving this annually since 2021. In 2024, total emissions were 174,200 tCO2e and Bain offset more than this amount. The GOC approves the annual budget for carbon instruments including offsets. Bain also made preliminary investments in engineered carbon removals and sustainable aviation fuel technologies, recognising it will ultimately depend on technological advancements in SAF, renewable natural gas, and engineered carbon removals to reach its net zero Scope 3 target.
▾ expand
Primary: Business travel reduction via carbon budgets, virtual processes and SAF Business travel is Bain's most significant Scope 3 source. Bain has established carbon budgets for internal (non-client) travel to cap and reduce non-client travel emissions, redesigned carbon-intensive functions such as recruiting (all first-round interviews virtual) and global training (locations optimised to minimise flight miles). Bain also purchases Sustainable Aviation Fuel certificates (SAFc): 1,589 tCO2e in 2023 and 1,810 tCO2e in 2024. The SBTi near-term target is a 35% per-FTE reduction in Scope 3 business travel by 2026 vs 2019; as of 2024, a 60% reduction has already been achieved.
▾ expand
Primary: Office energy efficiency and EV fleet conversion Bain's transition plan includes current and planned investments in energy efficiency across its leased offices and EV fleet conversion to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions. The firm targets a 30% absolute reduction in Scope 1 & 2 by 2026 and 90% by 2050 from a 2019 base. As of 2024, Scope 1 & 2 market-based emissions have already been reduced 52% versus 2019. Bain also targets zero-emission real estate and renewable electricity to decarbonise its operational footprint.
▾ expand
Dependent: Supplier engagement and sustainable procurement via EcoVadis platform Bain has identified supplier engagement and sustainable procurement as key levers in its net zero transition plan, with planned investments in tools and resources for procurement to drive decarbonisation with suppliers. Bain has begun assessing suppliers through the EcoVadis Supply Chain platform starting in 2025 and took a minority stake in EcoVadis. CDP-sourced supplier emissions data is used where available to calculate supplier-specific or category-average emissions factors for Purchased Goods & Services and Capital Goods.
▾ expand