Global Communities has two specific areas of focus:
education and climate change. That climate change matters to us only makes sense. PwC serves many of the world’s largest business organisations—and business is correctly seen as central to both the climate change problem and its remedy. PwC’s
sustainability services practice, has, in fact, become a leader in helping companies assess the challenges and opportunities associated with a reduction of their carbon footprint.
But PwC also practices what it preaches. For example, our US firm has recently completed an inventory of its carbon emissions and established energy reduction goals based on sourcing sustainable paper, transportation, and technology products and services. In the Netherlands, PwC has introduced a new car leasing plan that gives PwC staff the option to choose particularly fuel-efficient models. And our Polish firm has promoted environmental awareness through an educational campaign called “Green Week”.
The enthusiasm with which “Green Week” was met is reflective of the interest that our workforce as a whole takes in environmental issues. Our people consistently tell us that they want to be part of the solution to the problem of climate change—and expect PwC to feel likewise. By making environmentally responsibly decisions regarding our day-to-day operations, and providing our people with environmentally responsible options in terms of their own daily routines, PwC is living up to that expectation.
In order to build on the environmental initiatives that are being sponsored by individual PwC member firms, Global Communities has established the Global Climate Change Response Group. The Climate Change Response Group—comprising representatives of PwC’s largest firms—serves as a forum for sharing insights and best practices on environmental matters and acts as a decision-making body responsible for the development of a long-term, unified approach to environmental issues.
“We are acutely aware that we have a responsibility to address climate change both through our own actions and by helping our clients.” — Tony Harrington, PwC’s Global Communities Chairman
