Global architecture and design firm, Corgan, has announced that it has achieved carbon neutrality across all Scopes 1, 2 and 3 emissions, marking a major step in its sustainability journey. The achievement reflects the company’s continued commitment to measure, report and offset carbon emissions across its worldwide operations.

“Achieving carbon neutrality is a significant milestone in Corgan’s evolution. We’ve worked to create a sustainability practice that aligns with our values and with our clients’ aspirations. This milestone reflects our commitment to operate our firm as responsible stewards of the environment,” said Scott Ruch, Principal and Chief Executive Officer at Corgan.

The initiative was led by Corgan’s in-house sustainability team, Echo, which collected emissions data with the support of external carbon management technology firms. The company began its emissions tracking in 2023, initially covering Scopes 1 and 2 across its 14 offices. In 2024, Corgan expanded its reporting to include five additional offices and more than 200 new employees. Alongside Scopes 1 and 2, the firm also began accounting for Scope 3 emissions, which included business travel and employee commuting.

This process has provided Corgan with a baseline to help guide future reductions in energy use and emissions.

To balance its 2024 footprint, Corgan partnered with CEEZER, offsetting its emissions through a portfolio of carbon credit projects that align with its priorities for the built environment. These included:

• Appalachian Mountain Club Maine Woods Initiative – Supporting conservation and climate resilience in Maine’s 100-Mile Wilderness.
  
• Advance Refrigeration Systems – Funding Publix’s adoption of climate-friendly refrigeration systems.
  
• IsoHemp – Expanding production of hemp concrete blocks in Belgium, offering low-carbon construction alternatives.
  
• Igloo Cellulose – A France-based project producing high-performance cellulose fibre insulation from recycled paper.
  
• Solar Water Pump Project in Kenya – Supporting SunCulture’s solar-powered pumps to replace fossil fuel-driven systems.

Earlier in the year, Corgan introduced the Corgan Climate Action Plan (CCAP), outlining a framework to drive decarbonisation, conserve resources and build climate resilience across both its operations and project work. As part of the World Green Building Council’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment, the firm has pledged to publish its reporting results annually to ensure transparency and accountability.

“We believe in putting sustainability at the core of everything we do from daily operations to the projects we design and the services we provide,” said Varun Kohli, Principal and Director of Sustainability at Corgan. “We are committed to empowering our designers and our clients to achieve exemplary projects that strive to create built environments in harmony with the natural environment through collaboration, consistency and transparency.”

Through Echo, Corgan also aims to embed climate, sustainability and wellness practices into its design services while equipping its teams and clients with the tools to deliver environmentally responsible projects.

For further details on Corgan’s sustainability commitments, visit Climate and Sustainability | Corgan and ECHO | Corgan.