KPMG Cuts Carbon Footprint 26% in 2 Years

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KPMG, LLP, the U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm, today announced it achieved a 26 percent reduction in its carbon footprint from 2007 through 2009, exceeding the firm's stated three-year commitment of a 25 percent reduction, according to a company press release.

In 2008, KPMG embarked on an environmental program in the United States called "Living Green," designed to reduce the amount of waste it generates, the volume of natural resources it consumes, and to reduce its carbon footprint. The program targeted a 25 percent reduction in the U.S. firm's overall carbon footprint by 2010.

The firm's 26 percent reduction from 2007 through 2009 is based on the results of a recent analysis by KPMG's Climate Change and Sustainability Services group that shows KPMG reduced its carbon footprint by 20 percent between 2008 and 2009, and 7 percent between 2007 and 2008.

During the course of the program, the firm said it has reduced its electricity consumption by 9 percent and reduced paper consumption by 33 percent, while having increased the percentage of recycled paper used by 85 percent.

The firm said it is pursuing a variety of initiatives as part of its “Green Living” plan, including the completion of a data technology center that uses multiple sources of electrical power, but features gas micro-turbines as its centerpiece. The natural gas-powered units provide significant energy efficiency, helping generate more than 70 percent of the power needed to run the facility while producing low carbon dioxide and particulate emissions, according to KPMG.

The firm is also recycling its laptops, monitors and printers, for both reuse and disposal of toxic materials, while implementing server virtualization, which involves using one computer server to do the work of many. Server virtualization has prevented the emission of over 1,000 tons of carbon dioxide.

Meanwhile, in 2009, KPMG's new Nashville office became the first firm office to be LEED certified by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), followed by offices in San Diego and Orange County, California. Recently, firm offices in Boston and Charlotte received gold-level LEED certification.

KPMG recently earned the Platinum Plus rating in this year’s Business in the Community Corporate Responsibility (CR) Index in recognition of incorporating long-term sustainability into its business strategies.

Environment + Energy Leader