Serco Signs UAE Climate-Responsible Companies Pledge in Support of Government’s UAE Net Zero 2050 Initiative

28 February 2023, Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Serco joined the UAE Climate-Responsible Companies Pledge in support of the private sector’s contribution to the country’s decarbonisation drive.

The pledge was made in the presence of Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment at the 9th National Dialogue for Climate Ambition (NDCA) event, a monthly stakeholder assembly aimed at advancing the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative.

In signing the UAE Climate-Responsible Companies Pledge, Serco is continuing to further its proactive stance of supporting the UAE Year of Sustainability and bringing the government’s net zero vision to life.

The pledge commitments include organisations working to support efforts to combat climate change through plans to reduce carbon footprints, transparent reporting on emissions and ensuring climate change mitigation and adaptation measures as core principles of businesses and operational models.

As a public-services company, Serco is uniquely placed to support organisations on their own ESG strategies, through the transfer of knowledge, skills and resources from Serco’s experts who specialise in sustainable, socially responsible advisory services both globally and in the region. To accelerate this further, Serco recently launched their Advisory with Purpose division that aims to embed the latest global best practices into local organisations and government entities, from concept to implementation.

In addition to signing the UAE Climate-Responsible Companies Pledge, Serco has also become a member of the UAE Alliance for Climate Action (UACA), established by Emirates Nature-WWF, acting as the implementing partner to the Climate Responsible Pledge. UACA aims for stakeholders to collaborate to increase momentum of science-based targets, enable policy solutions and achieve the Paris Agreement. UACA is the first UAE tailored alliance for climate action in the region dedicated to driving ambitious climate action, increasing support for addressing the climate crisis, and engaging policymakers. The project’s vision is to create a multi-stakeholder alliance to increase momentum of near-and-long-term net zero targets that progress over time.

Phil Malem, CEO at Serco Middle East said:

“It is becoming increasingly clear that the time we must act on climate change is now, we need to commit to change. Private sector companies coming together, working as one with the UAE government and other stakeholders such as non-profits like the Emirates Nature-WWF, will give us the best possible chance to tackle the serious threats of climate change and its adverse impacts, to ensure future generations enjoy a healthy planet. In signing the pledge, and becoming a member of the UACA, Serco is committing to doing all we can to tackle climate change and its adverse effects and support others to do so – sharing knowledge and learnings in open, collaborative approach.”

Paul Bogan, Chef Digital Offer at Serco, who also leads the sustainability efforts for the region adds:

“As a company, Serco is committed to delivering long lasting, meaningful and purposefully led essential public services, and is uniquely placed to contribute to the government’s UAE net zero 2050 targets.  We work across many different sectors that contribute in their own impactful way. We must lead by example. We welcome being part of the UAE Climate-Responsible Companies Pledge as it will help us measure and evaluate our own progress, whilst contributing to the overall success of the UAE government.”