Stantec’s 2024 Report Aligns Purpose with Performance
Stantec’s 2024 Sustainability Report marks the company’s 70th anniversary and its 18th annual report..
As a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture and environmental consulting, Stantec is guided by the belief that sustainability is not just part of what it does but central to what it is.
Climate action and environmental leadership
A significant highlight from the report is that 62% of Stantec’s US$7.5bn gross revenue is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), translating to US$4.63bn in sustainability-focused work.
The firm maintained operational carbon neutrality for the third consecutive year, advanced its science-based emissions reduction targets and continued progress under Canada's Net Zero Challenge.
The company saw a 47% absolute emissions reduction achieved for Scope 1, 2 and business travel since 2019 (aligned with science-based targets).
Stantec also saw that just under 90% of electricity consumed was renewable, for the third consecutive year.
“Stantec’s integrated approach to sustainability delivers long-term value and underpins our continued strong financial performance. In 2024, we celebrated our 70th anniversary and have delivered tremendous growth since our founding,” says Gord Johnston, President and Chief Executive Officer of Stantec.
“Our current Strategic Plan, which is focused on purpose-driven growth, identifies key imperatives the world and our communities face. At Stantec, through doing what is right, we continue to help communities meet their challenges while driving our own success.”
Nature-based solutions (NbS) also feature prominently within the company.
Through projects like Dartmoor National Park’s flood management and Italy’s agrivoltaic developments, Stantec integrates biodiversity and climate resilience into infrastructure design, reinforcing its commitment to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
Through these initiatives, more than 880,000 native plants and 72,575kg of native seed has been produced and shipped in the US, covering more than 4,500 acres.
Social impact
Stantec has shown a clear focus on equity and diversity, with 44% of its board and 40% of its C-suite being women.
It conducted fair-pay analyses across its operations and ranked as a top employer for people with disabilities.
Notably, its Persons with Disabilities employee group and SocioEconomic Equity Network (SEEN) help embed accessibility and justice into project design and delivery.
The company also deepens its impact through philanthropic and community engagement, having donated US$54.9m toward its US$60m commitment (2007–2030).
Stantec has also donated more than US$10.8m to organisations alone, furthering its commitment to sustainable communities.
Its support for Indigenous-led climate action across Canada, the US, Australia and New Zealand demonstrates a thoughtful approach to reconciliation and equity.
Governance and accountability
Stantec ties executive compensation and sustainability-linked loans to ESG performance, incentivising climate and social impact across the organisation.
The company has a US$1.1bn sustainability-linked loan tied to ESG KPIs, with savings donated to Indigenous-led climate action groups.
Independent assurance of its greenhouse gas reporting and alignment with frameworks like the GRI, SASB and ISSB also add to its credibility.
The company boasts a 97% employee completion of its annually required cybersecurity training and 100% completion from C-Suite and Board members with 98% of employees completing ethics training.
With awards from CDP, Corporate Knights, Disability Equality Index and Reconciliation Australia, the firm continues to earn international recognition for its sustainability efforts.
Stantec’s 2024 Sustainability Report exemplifies how a large engineering and consulting firm can align profitability with purpose.
By embedding climate action, equity and innovation into every project, it not only helps communities adapt and thrive but also sets a high bar for industry peers.
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