A Process for Critical Reflection - Perkins&Will Releases First ESG Report
This year, Perkins&Will released their first ESG report, Building Momentum, based on data collected across the company’s more than 30 studios worldwide, including Schmidt Hammer Lassen. The report tells the story of Perkins&Will’s sustainability journey, discloses the firm’s operational performance data across key metrics, and assesses its strengths and opportunities.
Drawing from 2022 data across 10 performance indicators as defined by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)—an internationally recognised framework for ESG disclosure—Building Momentum covers areas such as energy, emissions, diversity and inclusion, local community engagement, and economic performance. Highlights of the report include Decarbonization Policy, Diversifying the Design Profession, Community Investment, and Diversity in Leadership.
As we celebrate these recent sustainability accolades, including Perkins&Will being named Best Sustainable Firm by Architizer in 2023, we reflect not only on our achievements but also on the inherent challenges in navigating the complexities of transparency and impact within a large and diverse organisation. While our adherence to GRI standards and our zero carbon commitments mark significant steps toward transparency, we recognise that the journey is far from straightforward.
As part of a large organisation, where multiple specialisations intersect, creating a consistent and meaningful ESG reporting framework is inherently complex. We have invested heavily in measuring and reporting on key areas such as energy usage, diversity metrics and embodied carbon, although there remain significant aspects of our operations—such as biodiversity impact—where we have yet to find a satisfactory system to operate with.
The lack of industry-wide standardisation in ESG reporting complicates this endeavour. No current framework provides a fully comprehensive picture, but our ongoing efforts to reflect and report highlight our commitment to addressing the gaps that exist in reporting frameworks.
Transparency, in this context, is not just about disclosing what we know; it’s about being clear about what we seek to understand. Our commitment to holistic positive impact is anchored in the recognition that this is a process of continuous learning and adaptation. In our organisation, both locally and globally, ESG reporting is not simply a communication exercise, but a process we utilise for critical reflection.
