Stantec plans to be carbon neutral next year and net-zero operationally by the end of the decade as the Edmonton-based engineering-design firm retools to pursue growing business opportunities in the energy transition sector.
“We are making this commitment to do our part in protecting communities from the worst impacts of climate change,” said CEO Gord Johnston in announcing the company is committed to help limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
“Our team members apply sustainable best practices to projects around the world daily. By making this pledge we demonstrate that Stantec applies the same passion to address our own impact.”
Stantec, which has 350 locations on six continents, plans to reach its 2022 carbon-neutral goal through internal emission-reduction projects and the purchase of renewable energy certificates and carbon offsets. It will draw “on a combination of traditional and innovative pathways” to hit net-zero by 2030.
At the same time, the company is rebranding its sustainability and building performance office into a carbon impact team and its Innovation Office will fund projects to lower emissions.
Stantec is working on the solar farm array for the Gull Bay First Nations diesel offset microgrid in Ontario. (Supplied)
Morgan Stanley Research estimates that reducing energy-related carbon emissions to net-zero will require US$50 trillion in investment by 2050 in renewables, electric vehicles, hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, and biofuels.
Stantec has grown from a one-engineer firm in 1954 to the eighth largest global design firm with 22,000 employees and projects ranging from providing solar power to First Nations communities to sustainable energy consulting for the European Union.