The effects of climate change are threatening the lives and well-being of everyone on the planet.
Researchers warn that global warming must be limited to 1.5 C above preindustrial levels in order to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change. But emissions continue to rise, and the world is warming faster than ever. To keep global warming under 1.5 C, greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and be as close to zero as possible by 2050 — or “net-zero.”
FHI 360 is committed to achieving net-zero by 2050 or sooner.
Explore FHI 360’s carbon reduction plan.
Taking action for people and planet
At FHI 360, we’re applying the latest scientific research to address the climate crisis and work toward a more resilient future — implementing solutions that benefit people and planet alike.
This work includes taking action to reduce our own carbon footprint.
We know that to be truly accountable to our global team, societies around the world, and our planet, we must examine our own contributions to climate change and adapt how we operate to help avert the worsening effects of climate change.
Taking inventory of our global emissions
In 2022, FHI 360 completed its first company-wide greenhouse gas inventory for its U.S. and international business operations. This will be the first of many recurring global assessments in an effort to understand the scope of our footprint and initiate carbon reduction toward achieving net-zero.
Our first inventory included carbon emissions data on our U.S.-based offices and 10 overseas offices, as well as analysis on areas of high emissions. We assessed three categories of emissions: scopes 1, 2 and 3. The inventory for scope 1 included measurement of greenhouse gas emissions from mobile and stationary fuel usage and refrigerants for all of our facilities. Scope 2 included data on emissions that arise with the generation of electricity purchased for all relevant facilities, and scope 3 included data on indirect emissions from across the value chain.
Through the audit, we learned that the majority of our emissions come from scope 3. This includes business travel, purchased goods and services, fuel and energy-related activities, and employee commuting. Of the 11 countries assessed, our offices in the U.S. had the highest contribution to our organization’s footprint — by far.
Taking action with the results: Our next steps on the path toward net-zero
Measuring our carbon footprint is only the first step on the path toward reducing emissions. Now it’s time to take action and make changes based on the results. Beginning in 2023, FHI 360 will develop and launch a global carbon reduction plan that includes reduction strategies, targets and timelines.
We’ll be looking for ways to engage our global staff in identifying and implementing carbon reduction strategies. As we’re developing our reduction strategies, we will produce a carbon inventory for the calendar year 2022. Its and subsequent years’ data will be used to measure progress against our baseline and carbon reduction targets on our path to net-zero.
We believe everyone has a responsibility to stop the damage to our planet by reducing emissions, and we are committed to playing our part.