Pledge To Net Zero, the initiative tackling carbon emissions within the UK’s environmental services sector, now has 157 members, the founding organisations, including EIC, announced today.

The Pledge has gained an additional 57 signatories since May 2021, including the recent addition of EIC members Arcadis and Waterman Group, as well as the Royal Meteorological Society and the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).

The initiative is also gaining momentum in Ireland, as eleven organisations including consulting engineering firm Ryan Hanley, join as part of the new Irish hub, along with hub coordinators the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland (ACEI).

Launched in late 2019 to mobilise fast climate action within the UK’s environmental industry, Pledge To Net Zero requires signatories to commit to deliver a greenhouse gas target in line with either a 1.5°C climate change scenario (encouraged), or well below 2°C.

The initiative’s growth over the last six months mirrored the heightened activity around COP26 in Glasgow. During the conference, Pledge To Net Zero hosted a webinar titled ‘Creating the Business Case For Fast Climate Action’, reinforcing the importance of industry collaboration in tackling the climate crisis.

Commenting on the milestone, Guto Davies, Head of Policy at EIC said: "It's great to see the initiative reach 150 signatories - a significant milestone for any campaign. It's clear that the environmental services sector is leading the way on Net Zero and we're delighted to be an active part of it. We'd encourage all EIC members still not signed up to join us."

Neil Humphrey, chief operating officer at Waterman, said: “Pledge to Net Zero has become a critical component of leadership in the built environment sector and is indicative of the collaborative approach required to help secure a Net Zero society for generations to come.

“Since signing in 2021, the Pledge has become a cornerstone for Waterman’s strategy underpinning our business operations, and we have since committed to reduce our carbon emissions by setting science-based targets in line with the requirements for keeping global temperature rise under 1.5°C.”

Alexis Haass, chief sustainability officer at Arcadis, said: “The next decade will be pivotal in ensuring an effective response to the threat of climate change and mitigating its impact. Arcadis hopes to accelerate our industry’s transition to Net Zero through the solutions we bring to market and the example we set.

“A Net Zero world is about creating a future that is so much better than today - healthier lives; thriving nature; effortless transport; enjoyable places. By joining Pledge to Net Zero, we are committing to working alongside our peers in the environmental industry to make this future a reality.”

One year ago, the Pledge officially joined the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) Race to Zero campaign, a move which was welcomed by UN High Level Climate Action Champion for COP26, Nigel Topping.

Find out more about the Pledge to Net Zero.