Arup Australasia to be carbon neutral by 2020
14 January 2019
Arup: Arup in Australasia will be carbon neutral by 2020, the firm’s Regional Chair, Peter Chamley announced today. He said Arup has deliberately set an aggressive deadline for the initiative, which is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. “This is a staff-driven initiative and we are making it a priority. Our operations will be carbon neutral by 2020,” Mr Chamley said. “Arup aims to shape a better world through our work for clients: this is a way to show industry leadership through our own actions.”
A leading consultancy in the built environment, Arup has 2,400 staff and 13 offices in the Region. “Our new offices in Melbourne and Sydney are 6 Star Green Star rated, use 100% renewable energy and are targeting high NABERS ratings for energy and water. We have the perfect platforms to continue our carbon neutral initiatives,” he said. “We will seek to avoid and reduce carbon emissions, and offset.” Arup’s plans include improving videoconferencing facilities and reducing air travel, using less paper, having hybrid and/or electric cars in the fleet and encouraging active travel for commuting.“
As a firm and as individuals, we want to seek to reduce carbon emissions in all we do. With better amenities and greater awareness, we will move from good intentions to ‘business as usual’ practices. We are ready to take responsibility and change our behaviours to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.” - Peter Chamley Chair, Australasia Region
All Australasia offices offset client project-related flights through a partnership with the South Pole Group which provides carbon offsets through renewable energy projects and biodiversity conservation by EcoAustralia. South Pole Group’s projects operate under the Gold Standard certification.
Globally, Arup offsets corporate air travel through a joint project with ClimateCare. This provides energy efficient cook stoves to 100,000 people in Kenya which release fewer carbon emissions with benefits for air quality and health.
Arup will seek formal certification for achieving a carbon neutrality as an organisation.
Arup in Australia was recently recognised with the Best Corporate Organisation Leading Through Shared Value and for the past eight years, has been in the Top 10 in the Annual Review for Corporate Social Responsibility by the Australian Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility.
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