WSP launches UK Annual Sustainability Report as steadfast commitment to 2025 net zero target continues

The report reiterates the commitments set out by the business towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2025, an ambition for which the firm won the Global Good Company of the Year award in 2019.

WSP prides itself on leading the industry towards a sustainable, low carbon future. In 2019, we helped found the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Net Zero and co-founded the environmental services sector’s Pledge To Net Zero initiative.

Within our own business, WSP achieved a 17% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2019 and has introduced a £200 levy on all staff domestic air travel to accelerate our transition.

Other success from the report reveal that in 2019, WSP:

• Reduced electrical consumption across our UK office portfolio by 7% since 2018
• Won Company of the Year at the Global Good Awards for its Future Ready and carbon neutral programmes
• Was accredited with the National Equality Standard (NES), a government-backed and industry-recognised UK standard for equality, diversity and inclusion
• Had two flagship office projects from 2018 in Birmingham and Manchester accredited to Fitwel status in 2019
• Re-launched THRIVE, WSP’s Wellbeing programme, which focuses on physical, mental, nutritional, social and financial health
• Hosted a Low Carbon Day online and across four UK offices to mark the UN’s World Environment Day
• Recruited a total of 71 apprentices, 210 graduates and increased our number of partnership universities for the scholarship schemes from 11 to 16.
• Employees contributed 1,830 days to our local communities

As part of the continued efforts towards identifying opportunities for improvement in sustainable procurement practices and providing greener options to suppliers, WSP’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Procurement teams will play a key role.

WSP is pleased to announce the appointment of Deepa Nair as Social Value Lead for the UK businesses. Deepa will be responsible for developing the processes to deliver the WSP UK Social Value strategy and manage its development.

Deepa Nair, Corporate Social Responsibility and Social Value Lead, said: “Our report shows that much progress was made in 2019 and I’m excited to contribute to the growing programme of social value at WSP. With the focus now on a resilient economic and social recovery from COVID-19, and making our recovery as sustainable as possible, I look forward to ensuring we create a lasting, positive impact on the communities WSP proudly serves.”