Sustainability
Whakapūmautanga2024 Integrated Report
We are pleased to share our first comprehensive formal report on the environmental, social & cultural, and governance (ESG) aspects of our business. This report tracks the progress of our Sustainable Business Strategy including carbon reductions, resource efficiency, supporting our people’s wellbeing and learning, bettering our communities, and applying our skills to enhance sustainable outcomes from our project work.
Click here to read the full report.
Carbon Conscious Certification
Climate-related Risk and Opportunities Statement
June 2024
PDP has undertaken a high-level risk and opportunity assessment for our business to identify the nature and level of climate change related risks, and any opportunities for our business.
Our evaluations conclude that there are currently no significant climate-related risks that are likely to directly impact our business. We have identified how we can respond to and reduce other identified risks to help build resilience into our operations. Through identifying opportunities, we are positioned to support our clients with their own climate risks and to create new work streams for PDP.
Our initial assessment is partially aligned with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework for companies to disclose to stakeholders. Our assessment includes transition risks, physical risks and opportunities to inform strategic planning and risk management.
Our transition risks relate to technology availability and affordability to achieve low carbon transport in our fleet and the availability of clean energy to support electrification. In our markets, we are likely to see a shift in our services and client requirements as they adapt and respond to the impacts of climate change on them. We are responding to the risks from a potential loss of markets by investing in building our capacity and capability to deliver climate change services, developing systems to integrate climate change throughout our project work and diversifying to new markets where relevant.
PDP could face reputational loss if we overstate our claims about climate action or undertake work that is counter to our stated commitments. PDP will undertake regular review of our markets and services with strategic and group directors to evaluate climate change risks and opportunities including reputational risks associated with our projects.
Physical risks are those such as extreme weather, increased fire risk and sea level rise. PDP may experience business interruption and loss of time such as commuting delays, and inability to undertake fieldwork or increased working from home reducing the cohesiveness and effectiveness of our teams. Should our people not be able to reach the office, we already have in place systems and processes to enable business continuity through working from home. We will undertake further office specific quantitative evaluations to better understand the physical risks.
We will undertake regular reviews of financial climate risks and opportunities to inform whether we should adapt our management and strategy to mitigate risks or take advantage of opportunities.
PDP could face reputational loss if we overstate our claims about climate action or undertake work that is counter to our stated commitments. PDP will undertake regular review of our markets and services with strategic and group directors to evaluate climate change risks and opportunities including reputational risks associated with our projects.
Physical risks are those such as extreme weather, increased fire risk and sea level rise. PDP may experience business interruption and loss of time such as commuting delays, and inability to undertake fieldwork or increased working from home reducing the cohesiveness and effectiveness of our teams. Should our people not be able to reach the office, we already have in place systems and processes to enable business continuity through working from home. We will undertake further office specific quantitative evaluations to better understand the physical risks.
We will undertake regular reviews of financial climate risks and opportunities to inform whether we should adapt our management and strategy to mitigate risks or take advantage of opportunities.
Our Greenhouse Gas Measurement
November 2025
We are committed to continuing to measure and report our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions annually to track progress and inform action.
As shown in the table, our FY25 total estimated emissions (Scopes 1 to 3) were 647 tonnes of CO₂-e, compared with 632 tonnes in FY23, our base year for reporting. Our FY23 base year was externally verified to ISO standards by McHugh & Shaw Limited1 earning us the Carbon Conscious Certification from EKOS. The FY25 inventory is currently undergoing verification.
Note: FY24 was not verified due to financial systems changing during the reporting year.
Aligned with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), we set a near term target to reduce our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% by 2030, and we will continue to measure and report our Scope 3 emissions.
Inventory Insights
- Scope 1 and 2 emissions have risen in line with growth in our business activity, including vehicle fleet and office footprint.
- Scope 3 emissions remain the largest contributor, with commuting and flights making up 68% of FY25 emissions.
- Road transport contributes 21% of emissions, combining Scope 1 (fleet) and Scope 3 (private vehicles, rentals, taxis, car share).
- Our average FTEs increased from 216 to 260 over the three years.
- Emissions per FTE in FY25 are 15% lower than in FY23.
1The assurance level achieved is: Reasonable Assurance ISO Categories 1-2 ; and Limited Assurance ISO Categories 3-6.
Emissions Reduction Strategy
Our Emissions Reduction Strategy (ERS, 2024) provides a pathway to meet our 2030 reduction targets. While we currently have limited control over office energy use, we’re prioritising energy efficiency in future office spaces as leases expire. Our new office in Auckland’s Fonterra Centre has a 5-star NZGBC rating, featuring all-electric heating, an energy-efficient thermal envelope, and rainwater harvesting. Our Whangarei office will also include solar power reducing purchased electricity.
The most significant reductions will come from us transitioning to a lower-carbon vehicle fleet. Our ERS plans a shift to lower-carbon vehicles, considering replacements and new vehicles based on business needs. There is a period where emissions are projected to increase until the fleet transition offsets the growth, then emissions will decrease as we approach 2030.
In addition to fleet changes, we’ll promote more efficient travel planning and behavioural shifts. We’ll integrate sustainability into our travel policies over the next year. We’re also assessing the impact of commuting, with an annual commuter survey.