Avison Young pledges net-zero emissions by 2040
Commercial real estate services firm Avison Young has committed to reduce the carbon impact from its workplaces globally to net-zero by 2040.
The Toronto-headquartered firm also pledged to reduce its carbon impact by half by 2030.
The sustainability commitments build on the firm’s March 2020 promise to go net-zero in its UK offices by 2030.
Avison Young has more than 5,000 professionals across 100+ offices in North America, Europe, South Africa, Israel, and South Korea.
“As we face the consequences of the ongoing climate crisis and emerge from a global pandemic, it’s imperative that we take immediate and impactful action, putting people and the planet first,” said Mark Rose, chair and CEO of Avison Young.
The firm’s action plan includes prioritizing leasing retrofitted and sustainably refurbished spaces, implementing energy efficiency plans, and maximizing renewable energy procurement and investments.
Avison Young has assembled a unified of global team of ESG and sustainability experts to help deliver the strategy. The team is led by Jon Gibson, principal and global director of ESG at the firm.
“Our strategy is guided by the unwavering belief that the economic, environmental, and social value we create meets the needs of our most important stakeholders; our people, clients, and communities, whilst adding value to our business,” Gibson said.
The net-zero pledge coincides with the release of the Avison Young’s 2021 ESG report. Highlights include joining the World Economic Forum (WEF) and adopting its 10 Green Building Principles, as well as donating 60,000 hours of employee time in the last five years to support communities though the company’s annual Day of Giving event.
Rival firm CBRE has also made a net-zero carbon emission pledge for 2040. Colliers, meanwhile, has made a net-zero 2030 commitment – placing it in line with the Big Four professional services firms and other consultancies.
