Robert Walters plc
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2023)
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:3101 tCO2e
Scope 1 Emissions:641 tCO2e
Scope 2 Emissions:1132 tCO2e
Scope 3 Emissions:1328 tCO2e
Total Energy Consumption:6,158,722 kWh
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Workforce Engagement
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Environmental
- Social
- Governance
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced energy use by 5% in London head office lighting through LED lighting and better system control.
- Reduced energy use by 35% in London head office server room by replacing air conditioning equipment.
Social Achievements
- Developed an award-winning ESG for HR Audit to support clients in achieving their ESG objectives.
- Planning to establish a framework for classifying sustainable jobs within their new CRM system (Zenith).
Governance Achievements
- Established an ESG Committee in 2021 that meets at least quarterly.
- Incorporated ESG targets into Executive Directors’ KPIs.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Reach net zero by 2040 across scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions
Medium-term Goals:
- Achieve 100% renewable energy by 2035 in offices where we have control over our energy supply.
- Continue to progress against GHG emissions reduction targets (by 2040)
Short-term Goals:
- Helping stakeholders adapt to climate change and the transition to a sustainable economy (by 2025)
Environmental Challenges
- Rising energy costs
- Talent attraction and retention (related to climate change)
- Enhanced carbon reporting obligations
- Acute asset damage from extreme weather
- Climate impact on physical work conditions
- Climate-related cost of living crisis
- Green skills gap
- Client pressure to decarbonize operations
- Climate migration and brain drain
Mitigation Strategies
- Commitment to 100% renewable energy by 2035 in offices under operational control.
- Commitment to reducing total energy consumption.
- Communicating the Group’s contribution to ESG to improve employee awareness and provide a sense of purpose.
- Competitive remuneration and employee benefits.
- Use of Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
- Support for gender pay equality.
- Regular review of climate-related corporate reporting and disclosures.
- Geographically diversified operations and disaster recovery processes.
- Provision of remote working capabilities (Microsoft Surface Pros).
- Management and HR support for employee wellbeing.
- Developing a ‘sustainable’ recruitment division.
Supply Chain Management
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather events (floods)
- Impact on physical work conditions (heat)
Transition Risks
- Rising energy costs
- Enhanced carbon reporting obligations
- Green skills gap
- Client pressure to decarbonize operations
- Climate-related cost of living crisis
Opportunities
- Increased demand for green skills
- Support clients in achieving their ESG objectives
- Growth in sustainable and ESG-aligned investment and skills
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: TCFD