SUSTAINABILITY

OUR COMMITMENTS AND OUR ACTION

Oliver Wyman Group, along with all the businesses of Marsh McLennan, is certified as a CarbonNeutral® company through Climate Impact Partners’ CarbonNeutral Protocol. On March 31, 2022, Marsh McLennan announced a commitment to be net zero across its operations by 2050, and to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030. We have committed to set a science-based target through the Science Based Targets initiative. Read the ESG Report to learn more.

Oliver Wyman strives to deepen our commitment to the environment through additional actions such as the integration of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in carbon offset portfolio management and social impact work, our endorsement of the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, and our investment in the Green Champions of Oliver Wyman Reforestation Program (GROWTrees). Our global colleague sustainability network, Green Champions of Oliver Wyman (GROW), helps integrate sustainable best practices, enhance local office greening efforts, and promote environmental volunteer efforts through our Oliver Wyman for Society Community program.

Responding to the climate challenge is a transformational journey that is crucial to companies everywhere

CARBON OFFSET PROJECT PORTFOLIO

While we work to reduce our emissions to achieve our net zero goal, Oliver Wyman remains committed to being a carbon neutral company. Each year we offset the emissions we were unable to reduce in the previous year. We work with Marsh McLennan and Climate Impact Partners to carefully select offset projects to support, such as those below.

Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve, Indonesia

REDD+ project helping to halt deforestation of roughly 47,000 hectares of forest originally slated for conversion to palm oil plantations.

SDG: No Poverty

1

SDG: Zero Hunger

2

SDG: Good Health and Well-Being

3

SDG: Quality Education

4

SDG: Gender Equality

5

SDG: Clean Water and Sanitation

6

SDG: Affordable and Clean Energy

7

SDG: Decent Work and Economic Growth

8

SDG: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

9

SDG: Reduced Inequalities

10

SDG: Sustainable Cities And Communities

11

SDG: Responsible Consumption and Production

12

SDG: Climate Action

13

SDG: Life Below Water

14

SDG: Life On Land

15

SDG: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

16

SDG: Partnership For the Goals

17

Bondhu Chula Stoves, Bangladesh

The Bondhu Chula is a health and environment-friendly stove that cuts carbon emissions by 50%, and saves families money on fuel costs.

SDG: No Poverty

1

SDG: Good Health and Well-Being

3

SDG: Gender Equality

5

SDG: Decent Work and Economic Growth

8

SDG: Climate Action

13

SDG: Life On Land

15

Mississippi Valley Restoration, US

The Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley Restoration Fund aims to restore and maintain bottomland hardwood forests, and improve wildlife habitat and water quality.

SDG: Decent Work and Economic Growth

8

SDG: Climate Action

13

SDG: Life Below Water

14

SDG: Life On Land

15

Seneca Meadows Landfill Gas

The project captures methane leakage, which has 20 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide.

SDG: Affordable and Clean Energy

7

SDG: Climate Action

13

SDG: Life On Land

15

Gyapa Fuel-Efficient Cookstoves, Ghana

Introducing families in Ghana to an efficient stove that cooks food more quickly, requires nearly 50% less fuel, and is less smoky.

SDG: No Poverty

1

SDG: Good Health and Well-Being

3

SDG: Quality Education

4

SDG: Gender Equality

5

SDG: Affordable and Clean Energy

7

SDG: Decent Work and Economic Growth

8

SDG: Climate Action

13

SDG: Life On Land

15

Water Filtration and Improved Cookstoves, Guatemala

Distributing water filters and stoves that enable access to clean water and improve cooking conditions.

SDG: No Poverty

1

SDG: Good Health and Well-Being

3

SDG: Gender Equality

5

SDG: Clean Water and Sanitation

6

SDG: Affordable and Clean Energy

7

SDG: Decent Work and Economic Growth

8

SDG: Reduced Inequalities

10

SDG: Responsible Consumption and Production

12

SDG: Climate Action

13

SDG: Life On Land

15

Our latest Initiatives

Green Champions of Oliver Wyman (GROW)

GROW is a global community of colleagues who seek to make real impact through supporting Oliver Wyman’s commitment to sustainability, particularly at the local office level. GROW and Oliver Wyman for Society often join efforts to sponsor hands-on and skills-based volunteering focused on the environment. 

Introducing GROWTrees

In December 2021 we announced our reforestation program, GROWTrees. Since then, we have worked with the nonprofit, One Tree Planted, to give our colleagues the opportunity to have a voice in supporting seven reforestation projects throughout the globe that focus on not just planting, but growing trees over time. These projects also provide co-benefits that protect wildlife, promote food and water security, support indigenous communities, and improve long-term climate resilience. We also recently joined the Million Mangroves Program with Climate Impact Partners, and continue to find opportunities to volunteer for urban tree planting in our communities.

Climate Academy

Oliver Wyman’s Climate Academy is a learning and training curriculum designed to give all consulting staff the tools they need to execute high impact strategies for our clients through the climate transition. Our program expands upon the Climate Risks Online Academy developed in 2019 with the European University Institute (EUI), with curriculum built in partnership with top tier external providers and internal experts.

Antarctica Ambassadors 

In 2022 we revived a special tradition and sent a colleague on an expedition to Antarctica with Sir Robert Swan and the 2041 foundation. Our ambassador, New York-based Principal, Kaja Pergar, was the winner of a blind essay contest and joined others from 35 nations to witness the effects of climate change on Earth’s southernmost continent. Her work will continue as she tells her story to colleagues, clients, and others to raise awareness of the challenges we face together.  

OUR VOICES

In our #OWGreenlight videos, colleagues from around the globe share ways they are committing to sustainability through their work, their volunteer efforts, and in their daily lives.

Q&A WITH GLOBAL HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY, LAUREN WYLIE

Why is sustainability important at Oliver Wyman?

As consultants who work with clients across myriad climate and sustainability-issues, it is important that we “walk the talk”. Oliver Wyman doesn’t have a huge carbon footprint since we don’t manufacture products, but we do have opportunities for improvement. For example, there is a lot we can do to reduce non-essential travel. We especially love working on this challenge with our clients who also have net zero goals. It benefits us both to be thinking more about how to travel more purposefully, and we can have more impact if we team together.

Do we report sustainability metrics externally?

Yes. As a business of Marsh McLennan, we report our carbon emissions and other sustainability-related activities annually to CDP and via the Marsh McLennan ESG Report, which aligns with TCFD, GRI, and SASB frameworks. Oliver Wyman is proud to have become a CarbonNeutral® company in 2020, and in 2022 Marsh McLennan announced a commitment to be net zero across its operations by 2050, and to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030. The commitment will include a science-based target through the Science Based Targets initiative.

What was the inspiration behind GROWTrees?

Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond our net zero commitment. For example, our Oliver Wyman for Society work through Social Impact consulting, volunteering, and fundraising includes “climate and sustainability” as a core focus area. When launching the philanthropic GROWTrees program, our aim was to offer our colleagues a chance to engage directly with, and learn about, the importance of reforestation. For example, colleagues can donate to support our GROWTrees forest directly and plant trees on behalf of others, and every Oliver Wyman new hire is welcomed with the gift of a tree.

Who are the Green Champions?

The implementation of sustainable best practices and the encouragement of behavior change requires on-the-ground action. Our Green Champions of Oliver Wyman (known as GROW) are volunteers who serve as the ambassadors of our commitment to each office and respond to whatever the local needs may be, from improving signage, to arranging speakers for education programs, or organizing community clean-up events. As we implement our plan to reduce emissions to achieve our net zero goals, GROW will be integral to success at the local level.

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Oliver Wyman and our parent company, Marsh McLennan, recognize our responsibility to conduct business in a way that protects and improves the state of the environment for future generations. As a global firm, we understand that the long-term well-being of society and our employees, the strength of the global economy, and the continuing success of our own business depend on our commitment to a sustainable environment. Marsh McLennan is certified as a CarbonNeutral company throughout its global operations for Scope 1, 2, and select Scope 3 emissions.

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