CGI announces verified science-based targets and ambitious net zero plans for its UK operations
CGI (TSX: GIB.A) (NYSE: GIB) announces that, as part of its global net zero commitment, its UK business has received validation for its science-based targets (SBTs) and commits to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2026. This goal will include both GHG emissions under its direct and indirect control.
The net zero goal of CGI’s UK business is defined by scope 1 and 2, as well as business travel in scope 3, of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. As part of its net zero strategy, CGI has received validation from the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) for its SBTs. These are to reduce GHG emissions, in absolute terms, by 46% for its own operations (scope 1 and 2) and by 46% for business travel (scope 3) by 2026 from a 2019 base year.
The targets are consistent with reductions required to keep global warming to 1.5°C—the most ambitious goal of the United Nations Paris Agreement. In addition, CGI will engage with and support all of its UK suppliers to ensure they are on a net zero journey and commits to ensuring that a minimum of 50% of its suppliers by spend, covering purchased goods and services & capital goods, will have set their own science-based targets for reducing their climate impact by 2026.
Tara McGeehan, President of CGI in the UK and Australia, said: “Climate change is a serious focus for our members and our operations here at CGI, and we are on this net zero journey not just because we have to be, but because we want to be. We are fully committed to achieving a 46% reduction in absolute emissions from our operations and business travel by 2026 from a 2019 base year. Achieving net zero might not be a typical business goal, but it is the only goal that makes sense when it comes to emissions. The climate crisis is affecting all of us now, and the sooner our emissions are net zero, the better, which is why we aim to meet this goal 26 years earlier than the Paris Agreement suggests.
“We are doing everything we can to ensure these goals are met. As well as looking at our own operations, we will work with our suppliers, through our supplier engagement SBT, to ensure that they also are on a science-based net zero journey, as we are fully aware that our impact as an organisation extends beyond the walls we work within.”
As part of its net zero strategy, CGI will remain transparent throughout the journey by publishing its progress annually. Further, it will set absolute reduction targets for its full value chain emissions, including its supply chain, to ensure it is making the most impactful changes possible in response to the climate crisis.
Globally, CGI already has reduced its emissions by 50% since 2014 through environmentally-oriented operating practices.