2022 Sustainability Report

We view sustainability as an investment in the strength of our culture, the resilience of our business and the future of our planet. That’s why we’re continuing to integrate sustainable practices into our operations and have made commitments that will help us ensure that our planet and its people thrive.

At BDO, we have made sustainability and ESG one of the five strategic imperatives that drive our business strategy. The publication of this report not only shares the foundational work we have done to date, but also details our efforts to define the kind of organization we want to be in the future. We are building a business that lasts – a business that fulfills our firm’s purpose of helping people thrive, every day.
Wayne Berson
CEO, BDO USA

Fiscal Year 2022 Sustainability Highlights

Center of Excellence icon

Launched a Center of Excellence dedicated to Sustainability and ESG, and formalized an ESG Leadership team to oversee our sustainability strategies

Engaged our stakeholders through a materiality assessment and completed a full greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory including Scopes 1, 2 and 3

Signed the United Nations (U.N.) Global Compact

Goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and halve emissions by 2030

BDO professionals served in leadership roles for nearly 500 nonprofit organizations 

Fed nearly 50,000 community members during BDO’s semiannual Weeks of Service across the U.S.

Hosted 200+ inclusion activities with more than 10,500 participants 

Sustainability is about doing our part to make a positive impact and be a force for change — leading with purpose, holding ourselves accountable, and prioritizing long-term stability over short-term financial rewards.

While we know our journey is still unfolding, I’m proud of the work we’ve done at BDO to advance our own sustainability efforts. We’re holding ourselves to a higher standard, making new commitments, setting data-driven goals and taking action.

Christopher Tower
Sustainability & ESG Managing Principal

Our Goals and Commitments

Investing in the future through sustainable initiatives isn’t just about our future. It’s about the future of all our stakeholders. 

As we work to advance sustainability across the firm, learn more about our goals, commitments and actions.

ENVIRONMENTAL

Each of us has a role to play in protecting, preserving and renewing our planet’s resources to ensure the way we live today does not compromise tomorrow. That is why we have made climate action a critical priority—taking steps to more fully understand how our business activities impact the environment—and how best to minimize that impact.  

BDO is committed to acting as a steward of the environment and to the continued integration of sustainability into our business practices. We are holding ourselves accountable and have set goals to help us advance and measure progress against these commitments. 

Net-Zero
Goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and halve emissions by 2030  

100%
Pledge to source all renewable energy by our fiscal year 2025 

1.5C
Committed to setting near-term company-wide emission reductions in line with climate science with the Science-Based Targets initiative  

SOCIAL

Now, more than ever, the strength of our people-first culture is helping lead the way. Whether it’s building stronger relationships with our professionals and clients, delivering an exceptional people experience for our stakeholders, or prioritizing strategic ESG commitments for the betterment of our communities, we’re invested in helping people thrive, every day.  

UNGC
Joined the U.N. Global Compact as a signatory 

Human Rights 
Joined the Human Rights Campaign’s Business Coalition for the Equality Act

LGBTQ+
Expanded healthcare coverage for the LGBTQ+ community

92%
of employees reported feeling they belong and are a part of the BDO family and culture  

GOVERNANCE

We simply believe responsible business is good business. Our commitment to the principles of ethical business conduct and corporate responsibility is an essential element of our professional responsibility, business strategy and the long-term resilience of the firm.  

Our core purpose and values guide us in everything we do and help to establish a set of standards embodied by our work, our relationships, and our professionals. Our governance structure and ethics and compliance programs are rooted in these values and serve as the foundation for our strategic business decisions.  

Learn more about:

  • Our emissions footprint and the actions we’re taking to combat climate change
  • Our people and culture, social programs and commitments
  • Our commitment to quality, integrity and corporate governance