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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.

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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.

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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.

Diversity

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 Career

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
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Read our latest insights

How companies can capitalise on the global megatrends
27 April 2023

How companies can capitalise on the global megatrends

There are three key areas of focus that can make firms victorious in the war for talent, find out what they are

Five global megatrends fuelling STEM recruitment
25 April 2023

Five global megatrends fuelling STEM recruitment

Demand for STEM talent is on the rise, but what is driving the increase?

What will developers do with 40% more time?
20 April 2023

What will developers do with 40% more time?

Developers are set to get a lot of time back when AI writes the boring and repetitive code

Will the rise of contracting continue?
07 February 2023

Will the rise of contracting continue?

Our research shows that contracting continues to grow in popularity, but will temporary roles soon outnumber permanent ones? Explore what...

Flexible staffing solutions for challenging times
26 January 2023

Flexible staffing solutions for challenging times

Companies increasingly want to staff projects with on-demand and agile STEM skills, during tough times employers want flexible options. F...

How contractors can thrive in a recession
24 January 2023

How contractors can thrive in a recession

A new generation of STEM professionals are turning their backs on permanent positions as contracting becomes more popular. Find out why...

Break the bias: how we can empower more women in STEM
08 March 2022

Break the bias: how we can empower more women in STEM

Women in Tech founder discusses how bias against women in STEM fields can be countered by increasing levels of female participation.

Nine women leading the way in science and technology
22 February 2022

Nine women leading the way in science and technology

Celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science with pioneers making a difference.

 Placing specialist life science skills with a global leader in Covid-19 vaccine development
13 January 2022

Placing specialist life science skills with a global leader in Covid-19 vaccine development

Seeking people with extensive experience for roles that were essential for the development and delivery of a Covid-19 vaccine.

Read our latest ESG news

How companies can capitalise on the global megatrends
27 April 2023

How companies can capitalise on the global megatrends

There are three key areas of focus that can make firms victorious in the war for talent, find out what they are

Five global megatrends fuelling STEM recruitment
25 April 2023

Five global megatrends fuelling STEM recruitment

Demand for STEM talent is on the rise, but what is driving the increase?

12 April 2023

SThree announces SBTi-verified net-zero target and publishes 2022 Impact Report

The Group announces its ambitious SBTi1-verified net-zero target and transition plan, alongside it's annual review of it's ESG strategy.

Being a climate conscious business
26 October 2021

Being a climate conscious business

How climate change is affecting our business and the STEM markets we operate in with independent sustainability consultancy Avieco.

Encouraging students to save the planet by choosing a career in the green sector
25 October 2021

Encouraging students to save the planet by choosing a career in the green sector

Inspiring young people to turn their passion for the environment into a career.

Empowering our colleagues to help the environment
22 October 2021

Empowering our colleagues to help the environment

Everyone at SThree gets 40 paid volunteering hours a year. Read about how our teams around the world are helping the environment.

Finding niche STEM talent teams to help renewable energy clients grow fast
21 October 2021

Finding niche STEM talent teams to help renewable energy clients grow fast

Infinis required niche electrical and engineering skills to help them focus on their expansion into a new solar energy division.

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Our stories

Discover the stories behind how we are working to change lives for the better by tackling climate change, developing vaccines and providing the technology used to educate the next generation.

People and planet

The talented people we place are solving some of the most complex challenges the world faces today. Find out how we are bringing skilled people together to build the future.