Berkshire Partners
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2022, 2023)
Reporting Period: 2022
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:Not disclosed
Scope 1 Emissions:469,531 MT CO2e
Scope 2 Emissions:Not disclosed
Scope 3 Emissions:2,118 MT CO2e
Renewable Energy Share:Not disclosed
Total Energy Consumption:Not disclosed
Water Consumption:Not disclosed
Waste Generated:Not disclosed
Carbon Intensity:32.67 MT CO2e/Millions USD (Scope 1 & 2)
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Employee Ownership
- Governance
- Human Rights
Environmental Achievements
- Supported Teraco in setting a goal to have 50% of its energy consumption from clean sources by 2027 and 100% by 2035, investing $230 million in solar farms and rooftop solar.
- Teraco realized more than 83 million kWh of energy savings and a more than 23% improvement in overall efficiency.
Social Achievements
- Established broad-based equity ownership programs at five portfolio companies, representing approximately 6,750 employees.
- Doubled the percentage of portfolio company directors who are female or racially/ethnically diverse (2017-2021 acquisitions).
- AHEAD's Launch program achieved 70% employee retention from 2020-2022 cohorts (72% diverse in 2023).
Governance Achievements
- Developed asset-class specific responsible investment guidelines and formalized engagement, governance, and reporting processes.
- For each new portfolio company with majority ownership, set a goal that at least one-third of outside director seats within the first year will be filled by diverse directors.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Not disclosed
Medium-term Goals:
- Enable net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 or sooner across investments where Berkshire has effective control.
Short-term Goals:
- Set decarbonization targets by the end of 2027, and within two years of Berkshire’s investment for companies acquired after 2025.
Environmental Challenges
- Gathering baseline emissions data across the portfolio and analyzing how focus industries may be affected by decarbonization.
- Achieving net-zero emissions across investments by 2050 or sooner.
Mitigation Strategies
- Formed a Climate Strategy Steering Committee to develop a net-zero strategy.
- Initiating GHG accounting to establish an emissions baseline, providing tools and resources to support these efforts.
- Setting decarbonization targets by the end of 2027, and within two years of Berkshire’s investment for companies acquired after 2025.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Codes of conduct
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: TCFD
Certifications: Null
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Not disclosed
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:619 MT CO2e (Berkshire operational emissions)
Scope 3 Emissions:2,612 MT CO2e (Berkshire operational emissions)
Carbon Intensity:9.40 MT CO2e/Millions USD (2023)
ESG Focus Areas
- Governance
- Shared Ownership
- Human Capital
- Decarbonization
- Climate Change
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Environmental Achievements
- Set a goal to enable net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 or sooner across in-scope investments.
- 28% of portfolio companies have set climate targets
- 54% of portfolio companies have a 2023 GHG emissions inventory calculated at a more detailed level.
- 47% of Stockbridge invested capital as of December 2023 is in portfolio companies with decarbonization targets
Social Achievements
- 98% of Berkshire Partners employees said they are “proud to work for Berkshire Partners.”
- 94% average annual retention from 2018–2023 for the firm (excluding Associates)
- 5% increase in portfolio company employees in 2023
- Eight portfolio companies have shared ownership plans reaching more than a quarter of their eligible employee bases, supporting more than 12,000 participants.
Governance Achievements
- Adopted asset-class specific policies for Berkshire Partners Private Equity and Stockbridge.
- 57% of private equity portfolio companies improved the diversity of their board directors.
- 59% of all in-scope companies are meeting the goal of achieving more than 20% diversity overall, or 33% diversity among independent directors.
- Implemented a suite of strategies to bolster cybersecurity defenses.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Enable net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 or sooner across in-scope investments.
Short-term Goals:
- Portfolio companies to set decarbonization targets by the end of 2027 or within two years of Berkshire’s investment for companies acquired after 2025.
Environmental Challenges
- Geopolitical uncertainty
- Socioeconomic tensions
- Record-breaking temperatures and extreme weather from climate change
- Dynamic regulatory landscape
Mitigation Strategies
- Commitment to core guiding principles
- Thorough due diligence on material issues
- Engagement with portfolio companies to support effective governance
- Embedding climate change-related considerations into workstreams across the firm.
Supply Chain Management
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather
- Supply disruptions
Transition Risks
- Rising costs
- Litigation
Opportunities
- Resource efficiency
- Lower emissions technologies
- Adaptation measures
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: TCFD