Five Years On: Capgemini Takes Stock of Net Zero Progress

Five years into its decarbonisation journey, Capgemini, the technology and consulting firm, has published a comprehensive review of its progress to date as it eyes its target of achieving net zero by 2040.

James Robey, Global Head of Environmental Sustainability at Capgemini, is helping to lead this process.

“The ambition to become a net zero business by 2040, aligned to the SBTi Corporate Net‑Zero Standard, has shaped how we operate across all areas of our business,” he explains.

“We have taken clear action across travel, sites, supply chain, technology and governance to embed sustainability at scale.

“The review brings together the lessons learned and highlights the key shifts that have enabled transformation. It provides transparency on the structural changes and operational decisions required to deliver emissions reduction across all scopes.

“I am pleased that this review supports continued learning across our organisation and our wider ecosystem. It reinforces our long-term commitment to decarbonisation and sustainable growth.”

Science-led strategy for climate impact

Capgemini first pledged in 2020 to become a net zero business and promptly aligned its decarbonisation strategy with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Corporate Net‑Zero Standard. But what exactly is Capgemini aiming for?

Most importantly, the company is aiming to cut 90% of its Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions from a 2019 baseline by 2040, while the remaining 10% will be balanced with a portfolio of verified carbon removals.

In the interim, the firm is looking to slash 80% of its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, halving its supply chain emissions and reducing business travel emissions per employee by 55%.

To achieve these ambitious goals, Capgemini wants to be powered by 100% renewable electricity (something which it expects to achieve soon) and is looking to possess a fully electric fleet of company vehicles by 2030.

“Five years ago, we set out on an ambitious journey to become a net zero organization,” says Sarika Naik, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer at Capgemini.

“Today, I’m proud to say we’ve made significant progress, not just in reducing emissions, but in transforming how we run as a business.

“A transformation at this scale is challenging. We’ve had to rethink our way of operating and how we deliver our core services as well as navigate evolving regulations. We’ve learned that progress is not linear. It requires agility and a willingness to adapt.

“As we look ahead, we remain committed to reaching net zero, guided by science, driven by innovation and grounded in accountability. The next phase will be even more transformative.”

Renewable energy powers emissions cuts

In Capgemini's progress review, the company highlights the fact that it has already exceeded its 2040 Scope 1 and 2 targets by achieving a 93% reduction in related emissions in 2024 compared with 2019.

Renewable electricity now accounts for 98% of the firm's total energy use, which is up an impressive 28% from 2020. This shift has been helped along by some large-scale solar generation projects in India and long-term renewable power procurement deals elsewhere around the world.

While its pursuit of Scope 3 reductions are a far more complex affair, the consultancy has registered a 26% overall drop in these emissions, even as the business itself has expanded.

With Scope 3 decarbonisation widely regarded as the most difficult aspect of a company's sustainability journey, these figures make for promising reading.

In the report, Capgemini details how its travel and commuting emissions per employee fell 62% and 49% respectively, supported by digital collaboration, energy-efficient mobility schemes and growing EV adoption.

Data-driven energy efficiency

A central part of Capgemini’s strategy is digital data management for energy use. Its centralised carbon accounting platform now processes over a million data points monthly, covering more than 99.8% of global operations by headcount. Real-time dashboards allow local teams to manage energy performance in line with global targets.

This is reinforced by a strong governance network, from the executive‑level Net Zero Board to ISO 14001‑certified environmental management systems operating across 98% of the business. The model balances global science‑based standards with local energy realities, from solar installations in India to sustainable commuting programmes in Europe.

Lessons for energy resilience

From this five-year review, Capgemini identifies seven organisational lessons for managing energy and emissions effectively:

1. High-quality data
2. Local activation
3. Cross-functional integration
4. Embracing complexity and incremental change to accelerate momentum and innovation 
5. Holistic perspective
6. Going beyond compliance
7. Transparency and communication.

Client collaboration driving low-carbon innovation

Capgemini recognises that its largest energy and climate impact comes through helping clients decarbonise. Its 300‑strong sustainability team worked on more than 5,000 projects with 700 clients in 2024. Its services cover sustainable IT, low‑carbon supply chains, renewable energy strategy and data‑driven energy management – including solutions pioneered internally, such as the Energy Command Center.

Looking ahead: energy systems of the future

The company’s next challenge lies in refining Scope 3 data, managing the energy intensity of emerging technologies and ensuring that carbon removals remain credible and scalable. The coming five years will focus less on communication and more on implementation – turning plans into measurable, system‑wide change.

“Since becoming CEO in 2020, I’ve made climate action a strategic imperative for Capgemini,” says Aiman Ezzat, CEO, Capgemini.

“Our commitment to reach net zero by 2040 is more than a pledge, it’s a commitment to a complete transformation of our business, our culture and our impact. We’ve embedded sustainability into the very fabric of our operations and our services, enabling us to help clients decarbonise and innovate responsibly. We’ve made strong progress.

“The road ahead will demand even greater collaboration, transparency and bold thinking.”