Climate change is widely regarded as one of the biggest challenge humanity faces. Droughts, floods, hurricanes, tornados, heat waves, rising food and oil prices and an array of other problems are exacerbated by climate change phenomena.
Political leaders of the 192 United Nations’ member countries (U.N.) unanimously agree that there is need for deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change.
In response to the environmental challenges of our time, we as global citizens seek to lead by example. Thus, in 2008 KPMG International and KPMG member firms launched the Global Green Initiative which, amongst other progressive strategies, includes the ambition to reduce our global carbon footprint, as follows:
Reducing our global carbon footprint by 25 percent by 2010 (as compared to 2007);
Having our professionals reduce individual carbon footprints by 10 percent by 2010 (as compared to 2007) through awareness actions.
In Brazil we are also committed to having a wider positive impact on the environment and addressing local environmental challenges, for which purpose we understand coordinated actions will be required for reductions of carbon footprint, of consumption of natural resources and waste generation.
To attain these goals, KPMG in Brazil will continue to invest in and improve on environmentally responsible practices and business processes, educating and supporting our people in making sustainable decisions, and joining forces with leadership groups, clients and providers to address impacts.
The first step of launching the Global Green Initiative in 2008, as announced by the chairman of KPMG International, followed by a diagnosis of the carbon footprint of KPMG in Brazil, and its announcement:
KPMG Brazil carbon footprint (base year 2007)
Description
ton CO 2
per capita ton CO 2
Electricity
747,14
0,359
Heating and/or air conditioning
324,45
0,156
Public transportation
902,32
0,434
Transportation of goods and documents
450,48
0,216
Car trips (clients and routes to and from office)
1,746,72
0,840
Air trips
1,439,51
0,692
Total KPMG in Brazil
5,610,65
2,698
Starting from the measurement of the carbon footprint of KPMG in Brazil, we established an Environmental Policy and set new goals for reduction of particular metrics, in addition to establishing practices and engagement actions, which include the following:
KPMG professionals’ awareness campaigns, along with identification of environmentally responsible actions by the “Living Green” seal;
Distribution of a responsible consumption manual;
Responsible consumption warning alerts in computer screen savers and common office areas;
Launch of the selective waste collection program;
Reduced use of paper materials and paper provided in internal and external training sessions;
Support to government pro-environmental actions, such as the Mutirão do Lixo Eletrônico (electronic waste self-help action) organized by the São Paulo state government and the Neutralização de Carbono (carbon footprint neutralization) implemented at the Porto Alegre Book Fair, which contemplating the planting of native tree seedlings to make up for the production of books that will be autographed at the fair.
Starting from the measurement of the carbon footprint of KPMG in Brazil, we established an 
