RSK continues to invest in net zero with Science Based Targets validation

The RSK Group has succeeded in having its near-term (2030) emissions reduction targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), representing an important milestone in its net zero by 2040 commitment.

The group is maintaining this strong momentum by developing its climate transition plan and engaging group companies on how they can contribute to the achievement of these near-term targets.

RSK Group’s Chief Scientist Lucy Thomas said that having RSK’s near-term emissions reduction targets validated by the SBTi is one way that demonstrates RSK’s commitment to embedding sustainability at the core of its operations, while supporting clients across the water, energy, infrastructure and built & natural environment sectors in navigating complex challenges and delivering positive impact.

“This is integral to our overarching commitment to doing the right thing and ensuring RSK is a business that people want to be part of. Having the SBTi framework to direct our focus is incredibly useful on a practical level and, as the initiative advises, this can help keep companies on track to specific timelines. It is important to RSK to engage and help enable our businesses to achieve our near-term decarbonisation targets, while at the same time agreeing long-term targets to meet our 2040 net zero goal.”

Lucy said the RSK near-term (2030) targets verified by SBTi at the end of 2024 included the following commitments:

• Reducing absolute scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by FY2030 from an FY2020 base year
  In FY24, we continued to build RSK’s electric vehicle charging network, with over 50 charge points now installed across our UK offices. The central fleet team continues to advise on and manage the procurement of electric vehicles across the group, with 70 electric vehicles procured by group in FY24, while some group companies have adopted alternative fuels, such as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) to reduce plant emissions. Other emission reduction opportunities we continue to explore include replacing diesel-fuelled tools with eco and battery-powered equipment and replacing diesel generators with a gradual shift to hybrid generators or renewable-energy-powered generators.
• Increasing active annual sourcing of renewable electricity from 57.1% in FY2020 to 100% by FY2030
  As of end FY24, of the 135 sites in the UK for which RSK has direct control over sourcing the electricity supply, 88% were covered by a green energy tariff, compared to 62% the previous year. RSK continues to explore equivalent renewable tariff opportunities in its locations outside the UK. The company is also pursuing on-site renewable energy generation, led by renewable energy specialists within the group. In FY24, this included the transition from gas to air source heat pump at our Swindon, UK, premises with the support of Calibrate, and the installation of solar panels to reduce the reliance on oil-powered heating for the greenhouses at our Boxworth, UK, premises, led by Virtus Energy. Our team in the Netherlands has installed solar panels, which generate enough electricity to export a portion to the local grid, while using a heat pump in the winter to replace gas. Meanwhile, our Pensar team in Australia has developed a solar trailer to provide power to some of its smaller, more remote projects.
• Reducing absolute scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions from fuel-and-energy-related activities, business travel and employee commuting by 42% by FY2030 from a FY2020 base year
  Through our annual carbon footprinting process, fuel and energy-related activities, business travel and employee commuting have been identified as RSK’s material scope 3 emissions categories. Employees are encouraged to apply the business travel hierarchy to limit non-essential business travel and make the most sustainable travel choices where feasible, including limiting air travel, using public transport, electric car hire and car sharing. Our electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme for UK employees experienced notable uptake in FY24, with 119 new contracts during the year, a 153% increase from the previous year.
• Our top 80% of suppliers (by emissions) covering purchased goods and services will have science-based targets by March 2027
  Many of our clients have net zero targets and look to us to align with and support in the delivery of these, so we need our suppliers to commit to decarbonising too. With a network of over 17,000 global suppliers, we have a significant opportunity to collaborate for greater impact. With the Achilles information platform to support our supplier evaluation process and our in-house supplier management portal, we continue to enhance our engagement with suppliers on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, among many other important topics.

Lucy said that next steps included developing a climate transition plan, detailing RSK’s route to net zero by 2040 and working with group companies to continue driving decarbonisation activities.

“It’s critical that we empower RSK Group companies and help them to understand their roles and opportunities to decarbonise. We are fortunate at RSK that we have so many sustainability experts within the group who can advise and support us on our own sustainability journey, as well as those of our clients. For example, RSK businesses are able to draw on the expertise of specialist teams within the renewable energy and EV charger installation sectors and the central fleet team is well placed to advise on and manage the procurement of EVs across the group.

“We also strongly believe that our annual ESG plan carbon reduction KPIs are a key mechanism that businesses can use to contribute to the group’s decarbonisation journey and report quarterly on progress. RSK asks group businesses to select two carbon reduction KPIs. The options include reducing scope 1 fuel emissions, upgrading offices with energy-saving initiatives, adopting a green energy tariff with certification, reducing business travel emissions, reducing employee commuting emissions, pursuing carbon literacy training, completing third-party eco-driving training and completing an employee commuting survey.”