ACE has joined sister organisation Environmental Industries Commission (EIC), as well as members AECOM and WSP, in becoming the first signatories of Pledge to Net Zero.

As governments around the world grapple with their own response to the climate and environmental emergency, the industry campaign is encouraging all organisations who work in the environmental services sector to show leadership and take demonstrable steps towards a carbon free future.

Other organisations on board with the campaign include the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) and the Society for the Environment (SocEnv).

All signatories have committed to three pledges:

• Set and commit to delivering a science-based greenhouse gas reduction target in support of the transition to a net zero carbon economy;
• Publicly report greenhouse gas emissions and progress against this target each year; and
• Publish one piece of research or thought-leadership piece each year on practical steps to deliver a net zero greenhouse gas economy.

Members interested in the initiative can sign up by filling out an online form on the campaign website which also has information packs and advice on how best to achieve the public pledges.

The pledge is open until 31 January 2020, with organisations asked to report back performance on their commitment by the end of December 2020.

Matthew Farrow, executive director, EIC, said: “All organisations have to step up and take responsibility for their emissions if we are to reach net zero and the environmental consultancy sector is no exception. As well as being a huge force for good in the work consultancies do with their clients they should lead by example and EIC is delighted to be supporting Pledge Net Zero – we will be encouraging our member firms to sign up.”

David Symons, UK director of sustainability at WSP, said: “The environmental services sector is at the heart of delivering a sustainable and prosperous economy through its advice. It’s tremendously exciting that the sector has now come together to take action on its own greenhouse gas emissions.”

David Barwell, chief executive, UK & Ireland at AECOM, said: “The environmental services industry is home to many of the individuals who will make the road to net zero emissions a reality. It will be the defining work of our careers. But if we are to be convincing champions for our clients, then we must lead from the front and that is why AECOM is kicking the carbon habit and joining hands with our peers and professional institutions to galvanise this effort.”