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Solving the climate challenge

Climate change is truly one of the greatest challenges and opportunities of our generation. There isn’t an area of the world, a business or government, a community or individual that won’t be impacted.

three panels of climate and sustainability related images with greenery, water and a child holding a globe

How we collectively respond will determine the ultimate success in building a healthier, safer, more sustainable and resilient future for all people and our planet.

Acting on climate change requires all of us to work together – governments, businesses, communities and individuals – in developing a sustainable future for generations to come.

As a Global Strategic Partner of the World Climate Forum, we are helping our industries, clients and communities transform commitments into actions that support a net zero future and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We continue to draw on our global experience and advise on resilient solutions, innovative partnerships and sustainable policy and investment frameworks to help accelerate action for the transformative change needed. At Jacobs, we see every day as an opportunity to make the world better.

  • 2030

    Our target date to become carbon negative for our operations and business travel

  • 100 %

    Renewable energy in 2020 for our operations

  • 2020

    When we hit net zero carbon for our operations and business travel

  • 6

    Environmental Business Journal Awards in 2022

“At Jacobs, we recognize the critical role we play – both in how we operate our business and in the climate action, decarbonization and sustainability solutions we implement in partnership with our clients to – benefit people and the planet.”

Steve Demetriou

Steve Demetriou

Jacobs Executive Chair

How we can help

2021 is a "make or break” year for action on climate change, according to the United Nations. If we don't reach net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 and see strong reductions in other greenhouse gas emissions, we will likely see global warming in excess of 1.5 degrees centigrade and 2ºC, leading to potentially catastrophic climate change. Each of us has a role to play in this urgent mission for a climate-resilient world. So, what are we doing and how can we do more?

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report was a stark reminder that without immediate and meaningful action the world is heading to some potentially irreversible consequences of climate change, even with the rapid decarbonization required to limit the worst impacts.

These impacts are occurring now and include greater frequency and intensity of extreme heatwaves, droughts, tropical cyclones, wildfires, rainfall and flooding, while glaciers shrink further by mid-century, and a key temperature limit of 1.5 degrees centigrade being broken in just over a decade if action is not taken now.

At Jacobs, we’re fully committed to the 1.5ºC scenario, both in how we operate our business and in the climate action, decarbonization and sustainability solutions we implement in partnership with our clients.

Decarbonization

Red car traveling through colorful fall foliage

Decarbonization is our overarching path to a net zero future and this “race to zero” comprises two complementary pathways. The first pathway is about reducing the carbon footprint produced across every industry – from water and transport, to manufacturing and city precincts. The second is by decarbonizing the fossil-based systems of energy that power them, which is commonly referred to as “the energy transition”. Both pathways must progress with urgency if we are to limit significant climate change and offer a net zero future.

Explore our decarbonization solutions

Powering the future

iStock-964949996

Decarbonizing our energy systems and sources is one critical pathway to reaching net zero and getting there by 2050 will require monumental global effort. A leader in renewable energy for over 50 years, we provide complete end-to-end services from grid connection studies, electricity market assessments, environmental and social impact assessments, business case development and more. We’re also supporting clients across electricity transmission and distribution networks, energy storage solutions, transition to lower emission base load alternatives, carbon capture solutions and the future with hydrogen.

While investment in cleaner, renewable fuels will continue to grow, there’s an emerging opportunity for data, technology and innovation to push even further.

Explore our power & energy services

Your net zero journey

Green trees amongst a blue sky

We understand that your journey to net zero can be complex with multifaceted governance, infrastructure and operational aspects to navigate. At Jacobs, we help you to set and deliver emission reduction targets systematically and tactically through our customized Net Zero Lab approach.

Our Evolve tool, for example, converts high level sustainability themes and issues into tangible, practical commitments that can be applied on any project or initiative and maps progress against these commitments against the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

We also partnered with the Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS) to help create a comprehensive learning resource, the Climate Solutions Accelerator, which we are offering to our entire global workforce to help employees understand the role they can play in climate change action. It’s one of two courses RSGS offers to help individuals and businesses better understand climate change, climate science, relevant policies, and the solutions and tools available for businesses to use.

Find out more

The role of nuclear

Purple nuclear fusion facility

For a climate-resilient future, nuclear offers a clean, reliable energy source and across the nuclear lifecycle we're helping solve the world’s most complex nuclear challenges safely and effectively.  We are at the forefront of new nuclear power programs in Europe such as at Hinkley Point C in the U.K. and in Poland, as well as developing new technologies for advanced modular reactors.  

One of the most transformational future energy sources could be fusion, which will replicate the nuclear reaction that takes place in the sun and stars. If this can be harnessed, it will create almost limitless carbon-free energy without leaving behind long-lived waste materials. This technology is in development as a potential future energy source.

Explore our nuclear lifecycle services

Climate adaptation & resiliency

Cityscape with purple overcast sky and lightning striking over water

While reducing emissions is critical, it is equally important to adapt to changes that have already occurred and to proactively implement resiliency strategies for potential future climate change scenarios. At the forefront of climate adaptation and resiliency is maintaining public health and wellbeing and protecting vulnerable communities and ecosystems in the face of ever-increasing extreme climate events.

Planning and adapting ahead of potential threats can help minimize the impacts of climate change; strengthen and safeguard communities; protect energy, water and transportation assets; reduce costs; secure supply chains; enhance sustainability; fuel economic growth; and ensure a more vibrant, prosperous future for generations to come.

At Jacobs, we provide comprehensive, end-to-end strategic consulting, infrastructure, technology, and emergency management solutions to help governments, cities and communities adapt and thrive. Across natural and built environments our adaptation and resiliency experts engage with clients and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle, assisting in early hazard definition, evaluation, strategy development, and solution design and implementation, including operations and maintenance of utility and infrastructure assets.

Explore our resiliency solutions

Our Climate Action Plan

Partner with a company that walks the talk

As we boldly move forward with channeling our expansive capabilities in climate response, we have re-focused our efforts on how we can build a net zero future not only within our own operations, but across the client solutions we deliver. As an industry-leading global solutions provider, our greatest opportunity to address climate change comes through the sustainable, resilient and nature-positive solutions we co-create with our public and private sector clients around the world. 

Find out more about our Climate Action Plan

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