Impact of key growth priorities

Sustainability

At PwC, sustainability is more than a buzzword—it’s a core principle guiding our operations and strategies across Africa. In the past financial year, our sustainability team has guided clients at various stages of their sustainability journey. We have also kept our clients informed about global and local changes that will impact them.

By leveraging our extensive global network of experts and centres of excellence, advanced technology solutions, data insights and years of experience, PwC is well-positioned to assist clients in identifying the most effective actions relating to sustainability and climate. This approach not only protects their bottom line but also maximises value creation.

PwC has developed digital tools and accelerators to help deliver efficient, reliable, impactful outcomes. Our human-led, tech-powered approach addresses all stages of the sustainability journey: Net zero and decarbonisation strategies, sustainability reporting and disclosures, climate risk assessments and more. Harnessing technology and AI for sustainability is revolutionising our approach to environmental challenges.

Our clients often face a challenging balance between economic pressures and sustainability goals. While some companies are leading the way with innovative sustainable practices, many others struggle due to financial constraints, a lack of resources and expertise to implement strategic sustainability goals and a lack of regulatory incentives.

PwC offers a range of services to help clients prepare for the impacts of climate disruption. These services are designed to help businesses not only mitigate the effects of climate change but also capitalise on new opportunities for innovation and growth.

We understand that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. So, we offer targeted, tailored strategies that are practical, measurable, and sustainable strategies. PwC in Africa is well positioned to co-create cohesive and impactful strategies for clients to succeed despite their unique business challenges.

The impact of climate change cannot be overstated

Climate change poses significant challenges for our clients in Africa, affecting many industries, including agriculture, mining and energy. Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns and the increased frequency of extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, disrupt operations and supply chains.

The energy sector faces pressure to transition to renewable sources as the country reduces its reliance on coal, while companies across all sectors are increasingly required to adopt sustainable practices. Additionally, insurance premiums are rising due to heightened climate risks, and companies risk losing access to international markets that prioritise sustainability.

To mitigate these risks, businesses in Africa must adapt through resilience strategies, invest in sustainable technologies, reduce their carbon footprint and position themselves for long-term growth.

These environmental factors are rapidly transforming how we live and work, compelling organisations to rethink their business models while transparently reporting their progress. PwC’s sustainability efforts centre around two main areas:

We prioritise the seven SDGs most relevant to our organisation. This focus guides our interactions with stakeholders and drives our impact assessments, including job creation, economic contributions and fiscal impacts. We also analyse the effects of our bursary programme and community projects.

Our commitment to reducing our climate impact is dynamic. We continuously adapt and expand our initiatives to address emerging challenges and leverage new opportunities. This ensures our strategies and projects are regularly updated to reflect the latest advancements and insights in sustainable development. By staying flexible and responsive, we ensure our actions remain effective and impactful.

We set new goals each year, form new partnerships and develop innovative solutions to empower our clients and communities.

We are committed to achieving net zero

Achieving net zero is crucial as it aligns with our strategic intent of positively impacting the environment and society. By prioritising these goals, we are not only reducing our carbon footprint but also helping our clients and communities transition to more sustainable practices. We continue implementing various initiatives to integrate environmentally responsible practices within the organisation. This dedication enhances our brand value, fosters trust and loyalty among stakeholders and ensures that we contribute to creating a healthier planet for future generations. By integrating these initiatives, PwC aims to create an organisation that inspires others to follow.

Switch to 100% renewable electricity in all PwC firms
Drive energy efficiency improvements in all our offices
Reduce air travel, which accounts for a third of our global carbon emissions
Reshape our client-service model to balance remote and on-site working
Engage with our supplies to tackle their climate impact
From 2030, invest in carbon removal projects to eliminate our remaining operational emissions.

Achieving our net zero commitment

We have made progress towards our global commitment of reaching net zero by 2030 with some notable initiatives:

37%

We have achieved a 37% reduction in combined overall carbon footprint from our baseline year.

Overall reduction

50%

We implemented a carbon recharge policy to manage travel and maintain a 50% reduction in travel emissions from our baseline.

Travel management

50%

We are engaging suppliers in carbon reduction programmes, with 70 suppliers signed up to science-based targets (SBTs), representing around 15,000 tCO2e and 50% of our target.

Supply chain engagement