Sharing news and insights from BDO’s sustainability experts around the world.
Net-zero at a professional services firm: challenging perceptions and building a case for action
Anna Skopets, Net-Zero Lead, BDO
It is easy to assume that prioritising net-zero matters most for high-emitting sectors such as manufacturing, construction and logistics. Professional services firms, by comparison, typically have a much smaller carbon footprint. But focusing solely on emissions misses the bigger picture: the role these firms play in shaping business decisions, driving innovation and supporting long-term economic resilience.
Sustainability isn’t just what we say – it’s how precisely we say it
Ashley Truscott, Senior Manager Global Sustainability
Standing in my local supermarket, I picked up a pack of vegan sausages with a label claiming it was an ‘earth friendly, healthy’ choice. I felt frustration: turn the package over, and you’ll see a list of ingredients that, if probed into a little more deeply, would tell a different story. As a communications professional, moments like this drive home how easy it is for well-intentioned messaging to cross the line into greenwashing - whether by accident or design.
Why preparing a voluntary VSME report is worth it
At BDO, our firms work with businesses of all sizes and we understand that sustainability reporting can feel daunting – especially for smaller companies. Having just completed a report for the BDO Global Office using the EU’s Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for non-listed SMEs (VSME), it's recommended as a practical, accessible standard, written in plain English. This makes it a great starting point for businesses because it’s far less intimidating than many other frameworks. So why should your company consider preparing a voluntary VSME report?
