With the pressing need to tackle climate change, it’s crucial for corporations to step up and take responsibility for their environmental impact. ZS is rising to that challenge—setting bold emissions targets and embedding sustainability into our operations. By collaborating with clients, suppliers and ZSers, we’re part of a global ecosystem working to get it right for the planet.

At ZS, the journey toward mitigating our climate impact is a collective endeavor embraced by ZSers worldwide. Our culture of collaboration and innovation is a catalyst for meaningful sustainability progress, often going beyond client expectations. What started as a grassroots movement has evolved into a formal firmwide strategy aimed at maximizing our collective impact.

Where passion changes lives

To achieve our net-zero target by 2045 (a goal approved by the Science-Based Target Initiative), ZS is actively reducing Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions. Scope 3 emissions, as defined by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, include all indirect emissions resulting from a company’s activities—like those from suppliers, customers and transportation. These emissions make up a large share of our footprint and are a key focus in our sustainability strategy due to their complexity.

Going green, one commute at a time

The first step to effectively reduce emissions from commuting is to understand how our employees travel. In 2023, ZS launched a commuting survey across select offices to collect real-world travel data directly from ZSers. This effort enables more accurate emissions measurement and helps shape our next steps.

Survey insights continue to inform how we improve office access to low-emission travel alternatives. We prioritize sites near public transportation and encourage carpooling, walking, biking and the use of hybrid or electric vehicles.

For example, our 2023 results showed that 62% of ZSers already use low-emission transportation modes. That includes public transit, hybrid and electric vehicles, carpooling, walking and biking. It’s a strong foundation, but we know there’s more work to do—especially as we scale efforts globally.

In India, we’ve expanded support for low-emissions commuting. Offices in Pune and New Delhi offer transportation services, and we encourage ZSers to choose EVs or hybrid vehicles for airport transfers and interoffice travel. Since 2022, Pune-based ZSers have logged roughly 250,000 EV miles, avoiding about 99.84 metric tons of carbon dioxide—the annual electricity use of over 17 homes. We’re aiming for 100% EV usage at both offices by 2030.

Jet-setting greener—and smarter

As a professional services firm, we value in-person collaboration. But we’re also mindful of the environmental impact of business travel. ZS is taking steps to reduce that footprint by planning meetings closer to our offices and optimizing travel logistics for sustainability.

At a recent Americas leadership meeting, we coordinated shuttle service for over 1,000 attendees—reducing 1,390 individual transfers and saving 7.05 metric tons of CO₂ emissions, equivalent to nearly 800 gallons of gasoline. Similarly, our upcoming European leadership meeting will be held in a central location accessible by train, enabling 60% of attendees to travel more sustainably.

“By strategically selecting venues closer to transportation hubs and encouraging the use of sustainable travel, we can make a tangible difference,” says Alice Bartram, meetings lead in London. “This shift helps minimize emissions and sets a new standard for responsible event planning.”

Building bridges to a sustainable future: one supplier at a time

ZS is also advancing sustainability through procurement. We ask suppliers to align with our Supplier Code of Conduct and prioritize vendors who demonstrate environmental stewardship—such as those offering sustainable meals or using sustainable aviation fuel.

To track and improve progress, ZS participates in CDP’s annual reporting (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), which scores companies on environmental disclosure and performance. Our 2024 Supplier Engagement Rating improved to an “A”, up from a “D” in 2022—showing clear momentum in our supply chain efforts.

“ZS’s sustainability efforts are being driven from every direction—bottom-up, top-down and side-to-side,” says Adam Loraine, administrative specialist in San Francisco. “In our office, we’ve rolled out waste diversion programs, promoted green commuting and piloted sustainable catering. These ‘small’ efforts, when multiplied across our offices, can drive big change.”

Environmental sustainability is not just a corporate responsibility at ZS—it’s a commitment to creating a better world. It’s also a natural extension of our mission to improve life and how we live it. Through education, awareness campaigns and employee-led initiatives, ZS empowers our people to take an active role in shaping a more sustainable future.

Follow ZS on social media to learn how we’re building a healthier planet—one initiative at a time.

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