Our aim is to be net zero by 2030. The IFoA strategy on carbon reduction follows Science Based Targets guidance. This focuses on reduction to fall in line with the Paris Agreement objective to limit global warming to well below two degrees.
For the IFoA, this means:
We are committed to an ongoing programme of action to reach these targets, with progress reported annually.
The information on this page details our progress from 2019 to 2024.
To date, with the help of independent reviewers, we have re-baselined the 2019 data (pre-pandemic), and updated our recent 2023 and 2024 data. Data collection methods have been improved over time, increasing our data quality and accuracy. This includes the use of updated methodology from new providers which has highlighted differences in comparisons with previous data. Like many organisations, we are part of a wider learning curve to include as much of Scope 3 as possible with increasing accuracy.
Each year, data will be gathered under Scopes 1, 2 and 3 and calculated and reviewed by a third-party supplier, and our carbon management plan will be managed on a regular basis.
We are currently refreshing our transition plan and, in future years, carbon offsetting will be used sparingly for reductions that we anticipate we cannot reduce further.
We have an expected uptick in emissions with the return to hosting in-person events following the pandemic. Our events team are committed to reducing emissions and single-use plastics where possible. We use venues easily accessible by public transport and still run many events online.
We are aware that emission reductions are not always linear. In 2025 ours will increase due to most of our exams being delivered in-person in exam centres.
As well as Scope 1 and 2, we calculated Scope 3 which includes:
Scope 3 accounts for about 98% of our emissions and we are reliant on industry changes to help lower our emissions in some of this area.
Investments are to be reviewed separately as part of our investment strategy and will be managed separately in the short term. The figures are not included in the table below. Our investment policy includes our net zero agenda, and will be working towards our net zero goals.
The IFoA recognises that environmental issues are fundamental to a responsible business strategy. As an action-oriented, forward-looking global organisation we are committed to adopting sustainable business practices for the benefit of society and to secure the future of the planet.
We want to play our part in reducing our emissions within our supply chains and have an agreed strategy to take this forward and educate our suppliers.
The following details our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, and per capita emissions.
| Scope | 2019* (tCO2e) | 2020 (tCO2e) | 2021 (tCO2e) |
2022 (tCO2e) |
2023 (tCO2e) |
2024 (tCO2e) |
Reduction 2019 to 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1: direct emissions | 59 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 30 | 30 | -49% |
| Scope 2: indirect emissions (location based) | 80 | 125 | 45 | 52 | 40 | 40 | -50% |
| Scope 3: other indirect emissions (excluding investments) | 15,180 | 1,508 | 1,383 | 1,670 | 3,467 | 4,507 | -70% |
| Total (excluding investments) | 15,319 | 1,644 | 1,444 | 1,738 | 3,537 | 4,577 | -70% |
Calculations are based on the .
*2019 rebaselined in 2025.
| Average | 2019 (tCO2e) re-baselined | 2020 (tCO2e) |
2021 (tCO2e) |
2022 (tCO2e |
2023 (tCO2e |
2024 (tCO2e |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average number of members | 32,470 | 31,937 | 32,984 | 33,407 | 33,558 | 34,374 |
| Average (TCO2e) per member | 0.47 | 0.05 | 0.04 | 0.05 | 0.10 | 0.13 |
| Average number of employees | 174 | 172 | 167 | 164 | 172 | 187 |
| Average (TCO2e) per employee | 88.04 | 9.55 | 8.64 | 10.59 | 20.56 | 24.47 |
From 2019 to 2024, our emissions fell from 15,319 to 4,577 tCO2e, a drop of 70%
were adopted by all UN member states in 2015 to work towards peace and prosperity for people and the planet. Through our net zero ambitions we have contributed towards the following SDGs:
We work with the IFoA Board, the IFoA Executive, the IFoA’s Sustainability Board and Professional Bodies Climate Action Charter to support the IFoA’s continued work towards net zero.
A net zero strategy was developed to embed sustainability across the IFoA to encourage sustainable behaviour change and to educate the workforce. In 2025, we shall be working with our new partner to refresh this following five years’ worth of data and data collection improvements.
Reporting is on an annual basis, working with our third-party suppliers with actions agreed by senior managers. Our Sustainability Board and senior leadership review our reporting and get regular updates.
Tracking emissions year on year and forecasting emissions will be part of our carbon management approach. This will be reflected in our data collection as well as additional sustainability changes that impact practices less visible within the data collection process.
Climate-related risks are monitored and reported on through our risk management framework and impacts are woven into our business continuity planning process.