Inside McKinsey & Company’s SBTi-Validated Climate Goals
McKinsey & Company is known for advising clients on navigating sustainability and climate challenges.
Now, the global consultancy is reinforcing its own environmental credentials by committing to a science-aligned net zero future.
Backed and validated by the Science Based Target initiatives (SBTi), McKinsey is taking meaningful action to reduce GHG emissions across its global operations, while supporting broader climate solutions through collaboration and innovation.
Incorporating science-based targets to reach net zero
McKinsey’s climate strategy solidified clear, ambitious goals that align with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target.
The firm’s emissions reduction plan spans near-term and long-term targets, with milestones set for 2025, 2030 and 2050.
“Our 2030 emissions reduction targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative, the industry’s most rigorous scientific standard,” Alizé Perrot, Environmental Sustainability Specialist at McKinsey, shared on LinkedIn.
“These targets set a clear path for our rapid, science-aligned progress, which is driven by a three part strategy – cutting emissions, compensating for remaining emissions and catalysing climate action beyond our firm.”
By 2025, the firm aims to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 25% and Scope 3 business travel emissions per employee by 35% – from a 2019 baseline.
By 2030, McKinsey has set a target of a 64.5% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and a 55% reduction in per-employee travel emissions.
By 2050, the company plans to reach net zero by cutting Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 90% and business travel emissions by 97%.
By the end of 2024 McKinsey had already achieved significant progress:
- A 62% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions, surpassing its 2025 goal.
- A 50% cut in business travel emissions per employee – exceeding the initial 35% reduction target.
These achievements stem from decisive operational changes, including:
- Electrification of company vehicles
- Energy-efficient office upgrades
- Transition to 100% renewable electricity since 2023
- Promotion of sustainable travel practices and uptake of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF).
“I’m proud of the team for the hard and continuous work to decarbonise our own operations,” wrote Isabelle Schuhmann, Global Director of Environmental Sustainability at McKinsey, on LinkedIn.
“From fleet electrification, green building certifications, train travel, green hotels and electric taxis to signing long-term offtake agreements for sustainable aviation fuel to help decarbonise our air travel emissions.
“Being with our clients remains core to our business – at the same time our travel emissions per colleague remain 50% down compared to pre-COVID levels.”
How to address Scope 3 emissions
Scope 3 emissions account for 98% of McKinsey’s footprint which is why the company is working to influence travel behaviours and market conditions.
A carbon fee on business travel, SAF procurement and staff engagement have already been key levers in reducing aviation-related emissions.
Where emissions cannot be eliminated, McKinsey is supporting certified carbon removal and avoidance projects.
The firm has pledged to shift its offset strategy to 100% carbon removals by 2030, emphasising nature and technology based solutions.
Climate solutions through collaboration
Beyond internal action, McKinsey is leveraging its position to accelerate wider change through a number of initiatives and projects including:
- Frontier: An advance market commitment of more than US$1bn to support permanent carbon removal technologies.
- LEAF Coalition: A multi-stakeholder initiative protecting tropical forests through large-scale financing.
- SABA: The Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance, co-founded by McKinsey, is helping scale SAF to decarbonise the aviation sector.
- Symbiosis: A commitment to support up to 20 million tonnes of nature-based carbon removal projects by 2030.
While its own footprint is shrinking, stakeholders continue to call for more clarity around the environmental impact of its client work – especially in high-emitting industries.
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