Our approach to ESG

Driving long-term sustainable value

ESG considerations are embedded in our strategy. As a specialist STEM recruiter we are at the forefront of delivering the skills needed to build a sustainable future, while our diversity, equality and inclusion policies ensure that we are putting people first.

By delivering against ambitious environmental and social targets we can demonstrate how we are leading our industry in defining what it means to be a responsible and sustainable employer, both for our staff and in society.

Environmental responsibilities

Companies are increasingly looking for environmental responsibility in their partners. We are no different. Many of our clients are either in the renewables energy sector or navigating the low carbon transition themselves.

We contribute to addressing climate change in two significant ways: by reducing our own carbon emissions and ensuring our clients have access to the talent they need to transition to a low carbon economy.

Addressing climate change

We take our role in tackling the climate emergency seriously. By actively working to reduce our own emissions targets we can make positive long-term commitments to the environment and society.

We are delighted to be recognised as a climate leader by the Financial Times in its inaugural listing of European Climate Leaders, which details the top 300 companies that achieved the greatest reduction in their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity between 2014 and 2019. We are the only staffing sector company to achieve that distinction, placing 69th.

Supplying sought-after specialists

Every business and value chain will be disrupted by the transition to a low carbon economy. As a specialist STEM recruiter we actively seek renewable energy clients that are at the forefront of delivering the innovation the world needs, supplying them with sought-after specialists to tackle the climate emergency.

We're delivering positive outcomes for our stakeholders and contributing towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals where we can have the most impact, placing us at the forefront of our industry in defining what it means to be a responsible employer.

Our Impact Report

Our ESG Committee needs accurate impact data to ensure we have credible action and accountability. Explore our first Impact Report, which includes key targets.

Read our Impact Report

Putting people first

We are building a future that works for all of us by putting people first. By investing in new business opportunities and talent growth within our markets we are delivering economic growth and employment opportunities. Through this we aim to have a positive impact on society beyond simply what our clients and candidates achieve.

Our role in society

Our diversity, equality and inclusion policies are critical to attract and retain talent and help people perform at the top of their game. We set challenging targets for gender balance, aspiring to increase representation at leadership levels to 50/50 by 2024. Although we reduced turnover of females by 3% and maintained levels of women represented across leadership roles, there is plenty more to achieve.

In November 2021, SThree was awarded Company of the Year at the 2021 European Diversity Awards. Again, we were the only staffing sector company to be recognised. Local initiatives in Japan have been recoginsed by being awarded as Best CSR Initiative at Recruitment International Awards Japan 2019.

Read more about our initiative towards gender representation balance in Japan office below.

Green skills insight programme

Not enough young people are choosing STEM subjects at school, pursuing STEM careers or aware of green careers. Building the future talent pipeline to meet the growing needs of the market is one of the core objectives of our community outreach programmes. We spark the possibility of a green career for young people, from the renewable energy sector to building a career in green tech.

In 2021, 87 young people attended our interactive Green Careers insight events. As a result of our outreach, 86% of young people said they are now exploring green career opportunities.

Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures

We recognise that ensuring long-term sustainability through concerted and transparent climate and environmental action is key to our resilience and continued success.

As an early adopter of the robust Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (‘TCFD’) reporting standard, we have carefully analysed our response to the changing market and environment in which we operate.

In order to align to the recommendations of TCFD we have:

Implemented a climate-related scenario analysis framework.
Integrated climate change as an emerging risk.
Strengthened our ESG Committee to improve governance and Board oversight.

Use the icons below to read a summary of our approach and progress.

Read our full TCFD report >

Governance

Strategy

Risks and opportunities

Metrics and targets

Governance

We have appointed a Group Environmental, Social and Governance (‘ESG’) Committee to identify, mitigate and strategically manage climate-related risks and opportunities to the Group. The ESG Committee is responsible for oversight of climate-related risks and opportunities including scenario analysis, risk mitigation, strategic alignment and the Groups Sustainability Strategy, targets and carbon reduction plan.

In 2021 the ESG Committee established a workstream focused on implementing a climate-related scenario analysis framework and a secondary workstream focused on understanding net-zero transition planning.

Strategy

We identified three key scenarios by which we assess the implications of climate change on our business:

Scenario 1: Renewable-led growth (orderly, 1.5 -2C).
Scenario 2: Disruptive change (disorderly).
Scenario 3: Fossil fuelled future (hot house world).

We tested the resilience of our business and strategy using research and data modelling. Details on how each of the three scenarios impacts our business, strategy and financial planning is detailed in our full TCFD report.

Risks and opportunities

Climate-related risks are identified through our scenario analysis, using the frameworks and modelling data alongside internal and external data and stakeholder insights. The ESG Committee is responsible for implementing climate-related scenario analysis and the risks identified are analysed carefully, with clear measures, mitigation, controls and governance assigned to each risk.

Climate change has been categorised as an emerging risk for the business. As such, climate-related risks and controls are reviewed quarterly, with escalation to the ESG Committee as required, reviewed annually by the Group Risk Committee.

Metrics and targets

We report annually on Scenario 1, Scenario 2 and Scenario 3 outcomes, as outlined under our Strategy.

Our emissions are calculated in line with the GHG Protocol methodology to allow for aggregation and comparability across organisations. Our emissions performance for the previous reporting period are also included in our Annual Report for comparison.

Our carbon reduction plan has seen a YoY reduction in carbon emissions which includes 44% reduction in 2021 from our 2019 baseline year.