Grant Thornton releases 2025 ESG report highlighting progress in sustainability, people and governance

Report highlights coordinated multinational ESG approach and measurable progress

CHICAGO — Grant Thornton has released its 2025 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report (PDF - 15.98MB), outlining progress and priorities across sustainability, people, governance and responsible growth.

Titled Building with Intention, this marks Grant Thornton’s first ESG report that includes details related to ESG alignment and progress from firms across its multinational platform. The report reflects efforts to bring ESG priorities and goals together across the multinational platform, while preserving the individual cultures, identities and regulatory requirements of each firm.

“2025 was a defining year as we continued building a multinational platform of firms stretching from the Americas across Europe and the Middle East to the Asia Pacific region,” said Jim Peko, CEO of Grant Thornton Advisors LLC and CEO of the Americas. “This report represents an important step in strengthening cross-border consistency in our ESG approach and long-term value creation.”

Across the platform, Grant Thornton’s aligned firms now include nearly 25,000 professionals across 18 firms, operating in more than 150 offices and 20 time zones. 

In the US, Grant Thornton continued advancing its ESG priorities through targeted investments in environmental stewardship, workforce development and strong governance.

In 2025, the firm made progress toward its approved science-based targets, including a 2030 goal to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 90% and Scope 3 emissions by more than 50%, targeting an overall reduction of 55% from its 2019 baseline.

Through actions including the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs) covering 100% of electricity use in the US and India, reducing business travel and operationalizing even more sustainability initiatives, the firm achieved an overall emissions reduction of nearly 44% from its 2019 baseline.

“ESG is not separate from how we run our business — it’s embedded in how we make decisions and deliver for our clients and our teammates,” added Peko. “Our progress in 2025 reflects the strength of our people and our continued focus on building a resilient, responsible firm.”

Culture and inclusion remain central to Grant Thornton’s ESG strategy, with continued focus on creating workplaces where people feel valued, supported and empowered to grow. The report highlights ongoing efforts to foster a supportive workplace through learning and well-being initiatives designed to strengthen engagement and performance across the platform. In 2025, Grant Thornton US was recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Employers for Company Culture and one of America’s Best Employers for Women, and for the ninth consecutive year received a 100% score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index.

“Our culture is how we show up for our people, our clients and our communities,” said Rashada Whitehead, chief communications, culture & inclusion officer at Grant Thornton Advisors LLC. “As we align our firms, we are doing so thoughtfully – honoring local cultures and creating consistency where it matters. By investing in the development and wellbeing of our teammates, we’re building an environment where our people can thrive and deliver meaningful impact.”

The report also highlights the firm’s investments in technology, including AI, and development opportunities to support professional growth and high-quality service delivery. In 2025, Grant Thornton US received multiple Brandon Hall Group awards recognizing its learning and development programs, underscoring the firm’s continued investment in building future-ready skills across its workforce.

Additional details about the U.S. firm’s progress, including indexes referencing the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards and Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standards for the professional and commercial services industry, can be found in the U.S.-specific ESG Report Appendix.

To learn more about Grant Thornton’s efforts and to download the 2025 ESG Report and U.S.-specific Appendix, visit here (PDF - 362.27KB).

About Grant Thornton

Grant Thornton delivers professional services in the US through two specialized entities: Grant Thornton LLP, a licensed, certified public accounting (CPA) firm that provides audit and assurance services — and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (not a licensed CPA firm), which exclusively provides non-attest offerings, including tax and advisory services. 

In January 2025, Grant Thornton Advisors LLC formed a multinational, multidisciplinary platform. The platform offers a premier advisory and tax practice, as well as independent audit practices. With offices across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia Pacific region, the platform delivers a singular client experience that includes enhanced solutions and capabilities, backed by powerful technologies and a roster of almost 25,000 quality-driven professionals enjoying exceptional career-growth opportunities and a distinctive cross-border culture.

Grant Thornton is part of the Grant Thornton International Limited network, which provides access to its member firms in more than 150 global markets. 

Grant Thornton LLP, Grant Thornton Advisors LLC and their respective subsidiaries operate as an alternative practice structure (APS). The APS conforms with applicable laws, regulations and professional standards, including those from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

“Grant Thornton” refers to the brand under which the member firms in the Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL) network provide services to their clients and/or refers to one or more member firms. Grant Thornton LLP and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC serve as the U.S. member firms of the GTIL network. GTIL and its member firms are not a worldwide partnership and all member firms are separate legal entities. Member firms deliver all services; GTIL does not provide services to clients.