David Widger

The firm’s emissions reduction targets were submitted to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) earlier this year and have now been approved.

The targets, using 2019 as the base year, cover the three scopes of emissions — representing direct and indirect emissions.

The firm commits to reducing scope 1 and 2 emissions by 66 per cent by 2030, reducing scope 3 emissions by 46 per cent by 2030, using 100 per cent renewable energy for its Dublin, Belfast and London offices by 2030, and ensuring 83 per cent of its suppliers commit to science-based targets to reduce emissions by 2028.

To achieve these targets, the firm’s carbon reduction programme will focus on reducing its use of gas for heating, reducing its use of paper, reducing waste, using more sustainable transport for commuting, reducing business travel and using wholly renewable energy, such as solar or wind, to power its offices.

Next year, ALG will return to its new HQ building in Dublin, which it says will be Ireland’s first net-zero carbon office building, currently being developed by IPUT. It will be a low-energy building using 100 per cent renewable energy.

“Our ultimate goal is to achieve carbon neutrality by at the latest 2050, and these targets are the first step towards that,” the firm said.

David Widger, ALG managing partner, added: “Committing to reduce our carbon footprint by 50 per cent is a significant milestone in our strategy to limit the impact we have on our planet.

“Through the Low Carbon Pledge and science-based targets, we will report on and be held accountable for our progress up to 2030 and beyond. It’s right for our business, it’s right for our people and it’s right for our environment.”