Committed to creating a healthy and sustainable environment

In January 2008, L.E.K. became the first global management consulting firm to become carbon neutral across its global operations. L.E.K.'s carbon management strategy follows the framework of "reduce, replace, then offset" as defined by the Carbon Trust, a British government organization that helps businesses reduce their carbon emissions.

Reducing direct carbon emissions

L.E.K.'s carbon management strategy targets a 20% reduction in emissions in the next three years. To meet this target, L.E.K. has engaged staff to drive local initiatives to reduce carbon emissions:

• Building management – Reduce emissions from each L.E.K. office by reviewing energy suppliers, switching to low-power light bulbs, and optimizing heating and cooling cycles.
• IT management – Encourage responsible use of personal computers and IT equipment. This includes very simple steps like turning off computers overnight and defaulting to double-sided printing.
• Business travel – Encourage the use of greener travel modes.
• Administration – Reduce office supplies consumption through increased recycling, the use of recycled and sustainable sourced paper, and working with like-minded suppliers.
• Staff initiatives – Ensure reduction initiatives are implemented by establishing staff groups to lead initiatives within each office.
• Supplier initiatives – Reduce indirect carbon emissions by working with suppliers who support the same environmental initiatives.

Offsetting

To achieve carbon neutral status, L.E.K. purchases voluntary offsets through a partnership with Climate Care, the U.K.-based carbon offset company owned by JP Morgan Chase, and also invests in a portfolio of climate-protecting projects.

All of Climate Care's projects meet the highest international quality standards for verification, additionality, double counting and permanence, all key factors in achieving carbon neutral status.