Consulting isn’t exactly a low-carbon business. Constant flights, massive global operations, and carbon-heavy supply chains make the industry a quiet contributor to the climate crisis. Four years ago, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) set out to change that. No roadmap, no precedent—just a commitment to cut emissions, rethink business travel, and invest in breakthrough climate tech. Today, that bet is paying off.

BCG is on track to neutralize 100% of its carbon footprint by 2030. Beyond then, the firm will go climate-positive, removing more carbon than they emit. With their purchase of 50,250 tonnes of certified carbon dioxide removals (CDRs) through ClimeFi in December 2024—the second largest to date for BCG—they secured a position among the top ten global purchasers of durable carbon removal and took another stride toward their goals.

Companies that take decisive climate action see tangible financial returns, and the broader economic case for climate action is perhaps even more compelling. Research released this month by BCG and the University of Cambridge shows that investing 1-2% of GDP to keep global temperature rise below 2°C could result in returns of 5 to 14 times the original investment in mitigation, while inaction could slash global GDP by 11-27%. Yet despite the data, BCG’s leadership comes at a critical time as the broader corporate world may be losing momentum toward a greener future. While progress is happening, it’s not fast enough. The World Economic Forum warns that net-zero goals remain at risk without significantly greater investment. 

The future of business isn’t about choosing between profit and sustainability—it’s about recognizing that the two are inseparable. With a strong Climate & Sustainability practice, BCG is not only driving its own transformation but also helping clients turn ambitious net-zero goals into real impact. The growing financial benefits of climate action, contrasted with the significant economic risks of inaction, make the path clear.