Environment, Social & Governance
Engineering a Sustainable Future
BG&E has the responsibility and opportunity to have a positive impact on the communities and environments we operate in, and we integrate this mission into our everyday operations, corporate culture and global strategy.
Our ESG Goals
Thoughtfully determined ESG objectives are the framework for BG&E to effectively manage our impact on the environment and society while ensuring robust governance practices.
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ESG
The Path to Carbon Neutrality
BG&E has the responsibility and opportunity to make a sustainable difference, which we integrate into our everyday operations, corporate culture and international strategy.
Journey to Net Zero
Internal Operational Actions
We are dedicated to minimising the impact of our operations, moving beyond business-as, usual to accelerate our efforts in responding to the rapidly evolving climate crisis, societal changes, technological advances and natural resource constraints.
Our internal initiatives to reduce carbon emissions include:
Understanding our corporate carbon footprint, including Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, to identify effective measures and targets for reduction.
Sustainable Procurement – choosing suppliers with strong environmental credentials and prioritising locally sourced materials to minimise
Reviewing our electricity contracts to explore the purchase of renewable energy sources, thereby directly reducing our Scope 2 emissions.
Educating employees on embodied carbon and sustainable design innovations.
Internal reward and recognition programme established for sustainability innovations.
Provision of recycling bins in communal office spaces to promote recycling.
Implementing digital processes to transition to a paperless office environment.
Researching options for the implementation of LED lights in all offices.
Gifting keep cups to employees to reduce use of single-use cups.
Sustainable Design Practice
Project-Focused Actions
As an engineering consultancy, BG&E leverages our technical command to identify strategic risks and opportunities related to climate change, carbon emissions and social and environmental project legacies.
Taking a customised sustainability approach, we recognise the uniqueness of each project and the value of taking a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to integrating Net Zero and regenerative development initiatives.
Our external actions, in partnership with Clients and stakeholders, to support the transition to Net Zero include:
Materials and embodied energy considerations to guide future ESG initiatives and targets.
Performing early-stage carbon calculations to inform the identification of improvement opportunities.
Assessing embodied carbon in designs against benchmark ratings.
Contributing to achieving sustainability rating schemes across geographies and sectors.
Exploring alternative material solutions and maximising material and energy efficiency.
Prioritising environmentally sustainable design practices like recycling, waste reduction, durability, adaptive design, and water-sensitive urban planning.
Maintaining industry memberships to contribute to the development of sustainability tools and ratings, including the Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC).
Contributing to the scientific and engineering research for the concrete industry with a formalised partnership with SmartCrete Cooperative Research Centres (CRC).
We consciously focus on the ESG aspects of our work in a systematic way, understanding how they are related to our core business, and to the positive impacts we are able to make as engineers.
Gaye McMath
ESG Chairperson
Our Social Commitment
BG&E and its people have been actively involved in engaging with local communities and supporting social causes in the countries we operate in. However, in the last decade, we have significantly increased our efforts to formalise and accelerate our social obligations.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We foster a ‘people-first’ culture and promoting a fair, enjoyable and inclusive work environment. Achieving diversity, equity and inclusion demands a sustained commitment and we hold ourselves accountable for ongoing progress.
Diversity & Inclusion:
We embrace differences and encourage employees to be their authentic selves at work.
Gender Equality
We’ve established a Gender and Diversity Strategy, aimed at attracting more women to join BG&E, and nurturing the next generation of female leaders from within our company.
Community Engagement
Worldwide, our teams strive to make a positive impact by tackling technical project challenges and engaging with local communities through grassroots programs. We champion communities where our teams live and work to build strong local partnerships and support various meaningful charities, appeals and STEM programs close to our hearts.
Health, Safety & Wellbeing
We acknowledge our shared responsibility for the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees, supply chain, Clients, subcontractors, stakeholders, visitors and the local communities where we operate.
That's why we prioritise a safe, healthy and eco-conscious workplace, on and off-site. These collective values drive our continuous improvements, adherence to best practices and fortify our dedication to minimising risks across all business operations.
BG&E maintains external certification to various ISO Accreditations for risk management system framework.
Human Rights & Ethical Supply Chain
As BG&E’s business is a professional services organisation, the risks of human rights violations occurring within our workforce are considered low. However, we acknowledge there may be risks of established modern slavery practices within our global supply chains, and we therefore take appropriate action to mitigate these risks.
Training & Development
Technical excellence forms the bedrock of our company. We continually add to our talent and capability programs to help build stronger career and learning pathways for our valued team. Our collective wisdom and expertise set us apart, fostering the proactive pursuit of ongoing professional development through in-house sessions, knowledge sharing and external programs.
Indigenous Participation
Currently, BG&E’s Indigenous reconciliation and participation efforts are focused within Australia. We have a formalised Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) which encourages opportunities to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Our focus is directed towards education and employment pathways, as well as to procurement practices, as these sustain economic development in Indigenous communities.
Governance Excellence
Strong and transparent corporate governance practices are crucial to the success of BG&E's operations. Our corporate governance guidelines reflect our dedication to these practices.
Ethical Business & Responsible Business Conduct
Our commitment to integrity ensures that all our operations are conducted transparently, responsibly, and in full compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Our Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy and Whistleblower Policy support this ethos.
Risk Management Oversight
We have defined our Risk and implemented Risk Management Frameworks to expect, understand and manage uncertainty effectively - providing resilience and confidence across the organisation.
Risk Management Frameworks
To achieve desirable outcomes, BG&E integrates several management strategies into our business activities - including global standards, procedures, review processes, management plans, authority limits, codes of conduct, safety systems, checklists, and reporting processes.
Risk Apetite
BG&E’s Board has defined its Risk Appetite across strategy, financial performance, people, operations and governance. To ensure adherence to this Risk Appetite, the Board has created the Safety, Quality, and Risk Committee (SQRC), which provides oversight and ensures that operations align with risk parameters.
Compliance & Policy
BG&E complies with its legislative obligations and uphold legal and ethical standards by maintaining policies that address legal requirements and satisfy ethical standards and providing continual internal education and training via its online courses.
Board & Committees
Our Board of Directors play a crucial role in guiding our company toward socially and ethically responsible practices through the establishment of policies concerning DEI, Corporate Social Responsibility, Community Engagement, Modern Slavery, Health and Safety and a host of other initiatives regarding the respect and care of our people.
Additionally, the Board monitors our performance in these areas and ensures that management remains accountable for achieving set goals.
BG&E’s Board has five direct Committees that assist and advise in decision-making and risk management.
Executive Leadership Team (ELT)
The ELT implement the strategies and policies set by the Board. They are responsible for managing day-to-day operations and ensuring alignment with the Board’s vision, as well as providing regular updates to the Board on performance.
Management Systems
BG&E maintains and implements independently audited management systems.
This standard verifies certification to the internationally recognised QMS standard. Compliance lifts our outcomes and customer satisfaction by advancing business performance and strategic decision-making.
This widely recognised and utilised standard details optimised EMS requirements. It strengthens our environmental sustainability and cost efficiency by reducing waste and energy use.
This standard fortifies our proactive risk management. Finding and addressing potential hazards boosts morale and safeguards employee wellbeing by reducing accidents, injuries and illnesses and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
This globally recognised standard pertains to the entire lifecycle of a built asset, from initial design to decommissioning. Our adherence establishes the benchmark for effective information management across the lifecycle of a built asset using BIM.
Our comprehensive supplier assurance for GB Rail ensures open, fair and transparent recognition of our rail engineering design services.
Our attainment of this certificate gives Clients peace of mind by safeguarding against common cyber threats.
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FAQs
ESG stands for Environmental, Social and Governance.
Embracing ESG principles is crucial for BG&E as it not only aligns with our commitment to responsible business practices - but also enhances our long-term sustainability, fosters stakeholder trust, and positions us as a socially and ethically conscious organisation in today’s dynamic business landscape.
Protecting and preserving our natural environment is critical to managing the impact of climate change. BG&E is committed to monitoring energy consumption within our workplace(s) and aim to minimise emissions from direct business activities or identification of improvements within nominated supply chains. BG&E’s engineering and technical teams continue to collaborate with Clients, relevant stakeholders or other interested parties to design sustainable built environments.
BG&E has recently begun our ESG journey, and while we are in the early stages, we are committed to proactive engagement with local communities, external stakeholders or other interested parties that are influenced by BG&E business activities or services.
We're in the process of developing our ESG reporting framework to spotlight our current performance in key areas of interest and impact, prioritising effective consultation within key areas. BG&E’s geographical regions aim to identify potential social impacts or opportunities for improvement locally, for escalation to Senior Management and/or appropriate Committee. This initiative aims to provide transparency regarding our strengths and areas for improvement. Additionally, our ESG Committee analyse our performance against external regional and industry trends to gain valuable insights.
BG&E is committed to developing a robust social initiative framework to identify meaningful, achievable targets that maximise value and consideration of local communities, external stakeholders or other interested parties influenced by our business activities, products or services.
Gender Equality is important to us, and we are continually working on attracting more women, not just to BG&E, but to the civil and structural engineering sector.
Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Committee actively works alongside Board and ELT members, as well as our People & Culture team to improve the DE&I Landscape.
Every BG&E office also has a local Social Committee that work along-side the DE&I Committee and P&C Teams to organise internal events such as Harmony Day, Ramadan & Eid, Lunar New Year, International Women’s Day, Pride Month, and NAIDOC Week to name a few.
We have recently formed an LGBT Community at BG&E. This community is a safe and empowering space for our LGBT employees to connect, share experiences, and champion an inclusive work environment – whether they identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, or an ally. Through this community, we also hope to support a feeling of solidarity and support our employees your personal growth.
All our offices support local community initiatives to make a positive impact to people lives. These include STEM program, volunteering and raising funds for worthy causes - e.g. Engineers Without Borders and Dress for Success.
BG&E's formalised Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) prioritises Indigenous Australian education, employment and procurement - fostering economic development in First Nation communities.
Our Board of Directors plays a crucial role in guiding and steering our company toward socially responsible and ethical practices. They are responsible for establishing policies concerning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Corporate Social Responsibility; Community Engagement; Modern Slavery; Health and Safety; and a host of other initiatives regarding the safety, respect, and care of our people. Additionally, the Board monitors our performance in these areas and ensures that management remains accountable for achieving set goals.
BG&E’s board has five direct subcommittees that assist and advise the board in decision-making and risk management.
BG&E’s Executive Leadership team’s role in corporate governance is to implement the strategies and policies set by the board effectively. They are responsible for the day-to-day management of the company and making decisions that align with the board's vision and objectives.
The executive team also provides regular updates to the board on the company's performance and seeks guidance or approval on major decisions when necessary.
In developing our 20-25 business strategy, five themes became apparent in helping shape the strategy, two of these themes are relevant to our ESG initiatives – Inclusiveness and Excellence.
ESG matters are increasingly important considerations in our “business as usual” activities, We do this by consciously focusing on the ESG aspects of our work in a systematic way, and understanding how they are related to our core business and to the positive impacts we can make as engineers.
BG&E’s approach to sustainability draws on our technical expertise, and how this can inform real-world solutions for better outcomes. Our technical depth allows us to go beyond high level targets to identify strategic risks and opportunities for issues such as climate change, carbon emissions, and the social and environmental legacies of our projects. Our tailored approach to sustainability recognises the unique needs of each project to enhance overall project success. Planning for net zero and regenerative development is built into the design process, considering how to achieve these as project objectives from the outset. With this in mind, our growing Sustainability Team has helped to integrate sustainability into civil and buildings projects including:
- Carbon calculations and net zero transition plans
- Managing ISC and other rating schemes requirements
- Integrating sustainability into design through climate change risk and resilience planning, options assessment and developing partnerships for improved project outcomes.
Our technical command enables us to identify strategic risks and opportunities related to climate change, carbon emissions and social and environmental project legacies. Taking a customised sustainability approach, we recognise the uniqueness of each project and the value of taking a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to integrating Net Zero and regenerative development initiatives. At the design level of a project, we can enhance overall success by consciously implementing core sustainability objectives.
We have a Modern Slavery statement across the BG&E Group, reflecting our continued opposition to exploitative practices.
BG&E remains an employee-owned engineering consultancy, fostering a ‘people-first’ culture and promoting a fair, enjoyable and inclusive work environment.
At the heart of BG&E is clever engineering. We are continually pushing the boundaries through new technology and innovations. Some of our recent innovations have included the use of mass timber within structural design, partnering with SmartCrete academic institutions, and the recent addition of the The Helen Alguire Innovation Award.
Timber: We have continued to develop our capabilities in mass timber use in structural design. Over the past two years we have been proactively working with Timber Design Studios and have since formally merged. As a result, a new Timber emerging discipline has formally commenced from July 2023 and offers international timber building design specialities services. There are multiple benefits to using timber - including aesthetics, biophilic design, renewable resource, reduced weight and carbon footprint. Our experiences have enabled us to utilise timber where and when appropriate to enhance the overall design.
SmartCrete is an Australian Government funded cooperative research centre (CRC) where $21 million has been allocated towards supporting industry led research into concrete over eight years. The funds are available to industry and academic groups on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Through SmartCrete, academic institutions are matched with companies on research projects to produce sustainable outcomes. SmartCrete is industry driven and companies have a large say in what research gets done. As concrete is the most widely used material in construction, BG&E has reflected their focus in that area of our Clients need. This is a cost-effective approach for BG&E to address technical issues it faces, become more competitive and help our Clients technically.
The Helen Alguire Innovation Award has been established as an annual tribute to Helen, a treasured member of the BG&E family that was taken before her time. This award is to celebrate our staff’s technical excellence, exceptional ability to solve the myriad of challenges, engineering prowess, innovative thinking and BG&E’s purpose.
Our Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Committee manages business-wide improvements, compliance and transparency.
BG&E comply to various international standards and implements independently audited management systems.
Some of our recent community initiatives include:
- Donating computers to schools in disadvantaged countries.
- Supporting the Indigenous Australian Engineering Summer School Program in Western Australia, to inspire and encourage young Indigenous Australians to pursue engineering and science careers.
- Actively participating in STEM programs, and participating in Careers Day at universities, offering inspiration and information to young students interested in engineering careers.
- Donating Corporate clothing towards Dress for Success, an organisation that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
- Support of the podcast ‘You Don’t Look Like an Engineer’- a production by BG&E employees that champions diversity in engineering.
Buildings impact the environment - so we prioritise eco-efficiency and sustainable design as pivotal factors in creating low-carbon structures. Our expertise empowers Clients and partners to pursue sustainable built environments and innovative designs through embedded sustainable practices. Learn about our Adaptive Reuse Projects.