News

SOM Becomes a “Science-Based Targets Initiative” Validated Organization

SOM is now a Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validated organization.

SBTi validated SOM’s targets to reduce Scopes 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 67 percent in absolute terms from 2019 levels by 2033 in line with a 1.5-degree scenario. We have also committed to reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions from the use of sold products 64 percent per M2 of building floor area within the same timeframe.

With this approach, which aligns to SBTi’s highest ambition level, SOM commits to decarbonizing how we operate and how our projects are realized. This builds upon SOM’s ambitious climate commitments set out in our annual Climate Action Report, spanning both our business operations and design work. 

In 2022, SOM became a carbon-neutral business through emissions reductions and carbon offsets. By 2030, we are targeting net-zero operational carbon for 100 percent of our active work, and by 2040, we are targeting net-zero, whole-life carbon for all active work. 

The SBTi is a partnership between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, the We Mean Business Coalition, the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The initiative drives ambitious climate action in the private sector by enabling organizations to set science-based emissions reduction targets.