MHA sets out aims for 2030 net zero journey

National accountancy and business advisory firm MHA has outlined its strategy to become net zero by 2030. The UK member of the Baker Tilly International network has spent the last year trying to upgrade the sustainability credentials of its buildings, among other policies to improve its long-term emissions data.

Mark Lumsdon-Taylor, partner and head of sustainability ESG, said, “Over the past year, we have undertaken several projects which have impacted our short-term indirect carbon emissions figures but will significantly benefit our long-term roadmap. This includes building and construction work which will improve the long-term efficiency of our workplaces.”

The announcements from MHA come as the firm commits to a wide range of plans via its Sustainability ESG Report 2024. The report, which will be published voluntarily on an annual basis, is MHA’s first since its merger with MHA Moore and Smalley in April this year, creating a nationwide accountancy group with a turnover of more than £180 million and over 1,820 staff across 23 offices.

Becoming net zero by 2030 is one the report’s key ambitions and MHA has worked with an independent carbon accounting firm to voluntarily provide a data-backed analysis of its carbon emissions and carbon reduction efforts as part of this journey. At present, the firm’s Scope 1 (direct) emissions reduced from 357.842 tonnes of carbon dioxide, equivalent  in the year to March 2023 to 218.084 tonnes in the year to March 2024. However, the Scope 2 and 3 (indirect) emissions rose from 175.049 to 209.166 tCO2e and 3850.674 to 5822.29 tCO2e respectively – due in part to those office changes.

Looking ahead, key net zero policies introduced include appointing 34 ‘net zero heroes’ across the firm’s UK offices to identify and implement strategies for carbon reduction and planting a tree for every new member of staff through MHA’s Virtual Forest with climate change action platform Ecologi. MHA will also focus on key firm-wide carbon reduction policies, including reducing reliance on petrol cars, minimising plane travel and hotel stays and adopting a near total paperless approach.

Taylor added, “The publication of our carbon emissions represents transitional alignment with the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), established by international finance body Financial Stability Board (FSB). Only the world’s largest organisations are required to disclose this information, but we decided to do so voluntarily, giving us real clarity about the areas of carbon reduction which will have the biggest impact on our net zero ambitions and allowing us to approach carbon reduction as a real opportunity.”