Cushman & Wakefield, one of the world’s leading commercial real estate services firms, has announced a renewed set of science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets, signaling a major increase in its climate ambition across both its corporate operations and the client properties it manages globally. These updated targets build on the company’s progress since first setting science-based goals in 2021 and its subsequent adoption of a net-zero commitment under the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Corporate Net-Zero Standard in 2022.
The new objectives raise the bar significantly. For its corporate operations (Scopes 1 and 2), Cushman & Wakefield now aims to reduce absolute GHG emissions by 73.1% by 2034—a notable jump from its original 50% reduction goal set for 2030. For Scope 3 emissions, which make up the vast majority of the firm’s value chain impact, the company has transitioned from a client engagement metric to a robust emissions intensity target. Specifically, it now targets a 66.3% reduction in emissions per square foot of managed area for client properties by 2034. This marks a strategic shift toward aligning measurable decarbonization efforts with the firm’s operational influence in the built environment.
Cushman & Wakefield has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions across its entire value chain—Scopes 1, 2, and 3—by 2050. According to Jessica Francisco, Chief Sustainability Officer, this renewed framework is not only a reflection of past achievements but also a response to growing client demand for data-driven, actionable sustainability strategies. “Our clients are asking for data-driven pathways to net zero,” Francisco said. “By expanding our Scope 3 target from an engagement metric to an emissions intensity target, we’re aligning our services and accountability with what matters most—real decarbonization in the built environment.”
The company has been actively investing in renewable electricity procurement, enhancing its data management capabilities, and working closely with clients to implement sustainable practices at the property level. Cushman & Wakefield plans to report annually on its progress toward the 2034 targets through its Sustainability Report and other relevant disclosures. These updated targets underscore the company’s leadership role in shaping a more sustainable future for commercial real estate and demonstrate a serious commitment to tackling the climate crisis with measurable, science-aligned action.
