KPMG Australia has reported a 27% reduction in carbon emissions against a 2019 baseline, however emissions were up slightly (+4%) in 2024 on a year-on-year basis, due to increased air travel.
The Australian arm of the consultancy giant announced its emissions performance in its 2024 impact report, in which it said that it remains committed to achieving a 50% emissions reduction by 2030.
Among its ESG achievements last year were the incorporating of sustainability as a core principle in its AI strategy, as well as the purchase of renewable energy to cover electricity emissions from its use of data centres.
It received a ‘record’ number of applications for its annual KPMG Nature Positive Challenge: with ethical oil startup, Levur, taking the top prize, and Native Botanical Brewery winning the inaugural First Nations category, it added.
Elsewhere, an Internal Pulse Survey taken by the group among its workforce noted a 5% uplift in staff perceptions of sustainable workload across the firm, however KPMG admitted ‘there is still more work to be done’.
‘Making good progress’
“We are making good progress in delivering on our commitments,” commented KPMG Australia CEO Andrew Yates. “And we continue to demonstrate that we are holding ourselves to the same high reporting standards to which many of our stakeholders and clients are held.
“I’m pleased with the firmwide focus on these important benchmarks. It’s a team effort that reflects strong leadership from our partners and the energy and dedication of our people.”
2024 performance
KPMG Australia reported revenue of AU$2.315 billion last year, a small decline on the previous year. Its mid-market Enterprise business reported a 13% increase in revenue, while its Audit & Assurance (+7%), Tax & Legal (+8%), and Deal Advisory & Infrastructure (+2%) arms also saw revenue rise. Revenue was down by 18% in its Consulting business, however, due to a ‘significant reduction’ in the government use of consultants.
Last year, KPMG Australia published its second Climate Risk Report, incorporating KPMG Fiji and KPMG PNG analysis for the first time, as it seeks to improve transparency around its sustainability efforts. Read more here.
