Key moments
We are committing to a net-zero climate impact by 2030 and 100% renewable energy in our offices by 2025. |
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Emissions in 2021 dropped 70% from 2019 and an additional 8% from 2020. |
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We have more than 120 social impact initiatives. |
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Our employees logged more than 800 Days of Action in pursuit of social and racial justice, inclusion, and equity work. |
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We contributed $500,000 in donations and matched funding to impact organizations. |
Driving positive impact
Inspired by our founder, Tom Kearney, and his principle of “essential rightness,” Kearney is dedicated to making a positive impact. We seek to be the difference by embedding environmental, social, and governance best practices, and sustainability, in all that we do: as a business, with our clients, our people, our planet, and our community.
Read more about our Global Sustainability Policy here.
Our planet
Kearney has pledged to achieve a net-zero climate impact by 2030. We also commit to Science Based Target initiative’s (SBTi) Corporate Net Zero Standard—we will focus on rapid and deep emission cuts, set near- and long-term targets, and take action beyond our value chain.
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As a consulting firm, the biggest sustainability impact we can create is by helping our clients with their opportunities and challenges in the transition to a low-carbon future. We also want to hold ourselves to the highest standards and reduce the environmental impact of our own business.
In 2010, Kearney became the first management consulting firm to become carbon neutral, and we strive to do even better each year. We are part of Business Ambition for 1.5°C, a global coalition of UN agencies, business, and industry leaders calling for ambitious climate action. Going forward, we commit to meeting ambitious targets in line with the SBTi Corporate Net Zero Standard, where we are currently undergoing validation of these targets. From a 2019 base year:
- Near-term target: We commit to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50 percent by 2030, aligned with the 1.5°C pathway. We also commit to reduce absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions by 30 percent by 2030 and pledge to reach 100 percent renewable energy in our offices by 2025.
- Long-term target: We commit to reduce absolute Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions by 90 percent by 2050. We commit to reach net-zero GHG emissions across the value chain by 2050.
By 2030, we will achieve a net-zero climate impact by removing all of the carbon we emit by investing in innovative carbon removal projects with proven environmental, social, and economic benefits. In 2021, we were certified Climate Neutral by South Pole. We removed 100 percent of our Scope 1 and 2 emissions and 10 percent of our Scope 3 emissions, and we purchased avoidance offsets for the balance. By 2030, we will step up to removing 100 percent of our total Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.
Our people
Social impact, including sustainability, is vital for our people—more than 90 percent of our colleagues around the world say it is important to them. We are dedicated to creating opportunities for everyone to engage with sustainability through our clients, our local office initiatives, social impact externships, volunteering, and beyond. Not only is social impact and sustainability a core component of our expertise and skill set, but it is also a central path to joy for our people.
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Our social impact and sustainability efforts are led by a global director of social impact, together with local social impact teams across more than 30 offices. Local social impact teams have a variety of responsibilities and can shape their activities to the needs of their communities.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Kearney is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to nurturing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce by providing benefits, training, and career development and progression support for our employees. Kearney is regularly recognized by esteemed organizations and publications for our supportive culture, inclusive programs and networks, and diverse talent. Our culture is strengthened by a breadth of active diversity networks, including our Proud, [email protected], and Women’s networks, which provide a space for our people to discuss and celebrate their unique backgrounds and identities.
We actively measure progress against our DEI goals and aspirations. Learn more here.
Social Impact Externships
Kearney’s Social Impact Externship Program pairs colleagues passionate about creating a positive impact with social entrepreneurs, NGOs, or other innovative impact organizations. Externs can spend up to three months working directly with these organizations, providing an opportunity to contribute professionally to a meaningful cause, build new skills in a dynamic entrepreneurial environment, and gain firsthand experience in the social impact sector. Learn more about our externship program.
Social Impact Catalyst Fund
Kearney’s Social Impact Catalyst Fund provides seed funding for employee-led initiatives that create positive impact around the world—from within Kearney to our communities at large. We want to nourish ideas that take on important global and local challenges, create positive impact for local communities, foster global collaboration, and offer personal and professional growth opportunities.
Our community
We create positive impact in our communities on both a global and local level.
We are a strategic partner of Ashoka, the world’s largest network of social entrepreneurs and institutional change leaders. Kearney’s partnership with Ashoka aims to create and deliver innovative programs across multi-stakeholder groups to scale social innovation and create positive system change. This combines Ashoka’s strengths in social entrepreneurship with Kearney’s track record in being the difference for clients, employees, and society at large. For example:
- With Ashoka, we co-led a study with 30+ business and education leaders re-imagining the future of work and empowering youth.
- We partnered on Fabric of Change, a global initiative by Ashoka and the C&A Foundation, to drive co-creation between businesses and social innovators in the apparel industry.
We also partner with local organizations, through pro bono consulting, mentoring, volunteering, philanthropy, and more. For example:
- We partnered with Civic Consulting Alliance to help Cook County create a more effective system for bond court, which currently leaves many poor people stuck in jail for minor crimes until they can post bond.
- We supported an African wildlife park management NGO to scale its operating model up from 10 to 20 wildlife parks.
- We worked with a Ministry of Education to create a 10-year strategy for implementing learning best practices.