In a rapidly changing world – where evolving legislation, escalating climate conditions and geopolitical tensions reshape the landscape daily – it often feels like we’re playing catch up. A strong sense of purpose is key to keeping businesses grounded and resilient amid these shifts. The choices we make today to address environmental, social, technological and economic challenges will echo across decades, even if they may not be the exact choices we would make next year, or even next week.
How can we stay a step ahead of this pace of change, both for our clients and ourselves? And more importantly, how can we make sustainable choices that don’t just sound right, but are the right thing to do?
A strong purpose that inspires action
Purpose isn’t just about a commitment or a vision – it’s about taking real, measurable action. In 2022, CDP, a non-profit platform for environmental impact disclosure, surveyed more than 18,600 companies on their climate transition plans. Despite a proliferation of corporate targets, only 0.4% provided sufficiently detailed responses to indicate credible plans. In the rush to say the right thing, companies can lose focus on actually doing the right thing, particularly when faced with long-term goals. More often than not, the path to achieving lofty goals and commitments may seem unclear.
So how do we make sure we’re walking the talk? At Arcadis, we are committed to accelerating a planet positive future. While that can seem like a broad stroke, it is supported by verified data and transparent reporting against goals we set during Capital Markets Day in November 2023. In fact, we’ve committed to net zero across our operations by 2035. Using science-based frameworks, we’ve set bold emissions targets that shape not only our operations but every project we undertake.
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This is not just about internal corporate strategies; it influences every project. We are all exploring these challenges together, and our actions are inextricably linked – our scope 1-3 carbon emissions become our clients’ scope 3. So, it is not enough to have an authentic purpose ourselves. We also need to understand what motivates our clients, ecosystem partners, and stakeholders, so we can use expertise to help them meet their goals. Our own experience allows us to help clients on their own decarbonization and net zero journeys – and the steps they can take to realize the greatest value.
Sustainable transformation partners: Bringing purpose to every project
This is not about telling clients what to do or about ‘good optics’. We recognize that not everyone is on the same journey. Whether they’re a city authority, a hospital or an industrial manufacturer, different organizations have unique needs and must balance priorities. When it comes to decarbonization, each has different levers, innovative approaches, and a pace at which they can realistically move considering available resources.
For example, in New York, we worked with city authorities to strengthen the city’s coastline against hurricane damage, enhancing climate resilience while ensuring community safety. Meanwhile, in Sydney, Arcadis partnered to revolutionize urban transit with the Sydney Metro, transforming transportation to meet growing demand sustainably. And for the Paris Olympics 2024, we’re creating a lasting sustainable legacy that will serve the city long after the games, demonstrating how decarbonization can align with economic and social goals.
Looking to the future to unlock new advantages
Looking to the future means listening closely to our clients and providing insights that help them plan proactively. It’s about becoming a trusted partner and adviser, equipping them with insights in the long run, not just responding to the here and now. At Arcadis, we bring together the best minds from around the world to deliver intelligent products and solutions that help anticipate future needs. We have so much knowledge across the business, why wouldn’t we want our clients to use that?
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This approach is vital in sectors with complex sectors, such as real estate and city administrations, where decarbonization and risk management span multiple assets or geographies. It often requires in-depth sustainability, digital analysis and regulatory expertise.
For instance, in Washington D.C., our Enterprise Decision Analytics (EDA) technology helps the city create an accurate of its assets, forecast costs, and plan capital investments to optimize its decisions and support sustainable growth.
Similarly, our Net Zero Catalyst tool empowers clients to plug the gap between stated carbon targets and credible transition plans. It evaluates decarbonization efforts through precise metrics that guide realistic, data-driven pathways to net zero. Intelligent tools like these keep organizations on track with commitments and distinguish true purpose from purpose-washing.
Progress: the fourth P
Purpose is about progress, not success or failure. Not every organization or city has the means to make a step change in areas such as decarbonization, but with clear metrics and data analysis, we can see whether they are moving in the right direction.
This year, we introduced “progress” as a new pillar in our Sustainable Cities Index alongside planet, people and profit. While top rankings matter, it’s equally important to spotlight cities delivering transformative change. Cities like Jakarta and Kinshasa, often overlooked, are making significant strides in areas like sanitation and air quality – underscoring that progress can happen anywhere. And, by championing this, we’re able to drive real conversations on sustainable transformation.
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In a recent conversation with a US city administrator, they asked: what comes after net zero? It was a really interesting question and demonstrated focus beyond a short-term goal. They wanted a holistic view of what a resilient future could look like.
At Arcadis, that’s the approach we want to inspire in every client: purpose with progress, flexibility with focus. It again highlights how everyone is at different stages of the journey. And shows how a strong sense of purpose – not necessarily defined by a timeframe – is sometimes more important than a set target with an end point.
The power of curiosity
Being a purpose-led organization means continually asking questions and exploring all aspects of sustainability. After all, improving quality of life for our communities is central to our work, and carbon targets are only one piece of that.
Social equity is another vital part of this conversation. How do we balance the need to cut carbon emissions with the economic aspirations of developing societies? For us, a planet positive future must address the urgent challenges posed by rapid urbanization, and what this means for the living conditions of some of the world’s most vulnerable populations. This includes initiatives that foster opportunity and learning for the next generation, especially young people eager to make an impact.
In Leeds, for example, I’ve had the opportunity to support local programs focused on inspiring young girls to pursue STEM careers. Programs like this remind us that purpose isn’t just a corporate goal - it’s personal, and all leaders have a role in nurturing talent and building pathways for future innovators. This commitment to the next generation is part of what makes Arcadis a purpose-driven organization, where building a sustainable future is everyone’s responsibility.
As a purpose-led organization, Arcadians are naturally driven by curiosity. In every conversation, I see a genuine passion for engaging with all aspects of environmental and social sustainability. This curiosity enables us to be proactive, responsive, and engage in more meaningful conversations with our clients. It’s what drives us to stay ahead in our knowledge and deliver better solutions. Supporting this, is the Lovinklaan Foundation, with programs like Sustain Abilities, our central sustainability training hub that upskills our people; and our Energy Transition Academy, where we partner with universities to offer curated courses on subjects like hydrogen, offshore wind and urban energy systems. Together, these initiatives build the capability and capacity needed for the critical challenges facing our industry.
A planet positive future is everyone’s business
We’re all learning as we go, tackling these challenges together. The future is undefined, but a clear, authentic purpose creates a strong foundation for conversations that matter, creating real progress.
