How Data is Driving McCarthy's Sustainability Transformation

McCarthy, one of the largest employee-owned construction firms in the US, has released its updated 2024 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Report.

McCarthy provides the foundational business infrastructure for its subsidiary, McCarthy Building Companies, and its related businesses, and is the oldest privately held national construction company in America.

Its companies focus on solving complex construction challenges on behalf of clients in a variety of markets across America, while providing great experiences for everyone.

Partnering for measurable impact

The report was developed in partnership with Gravity, a leading enterprise carbon accounting and energy management platform. Gravity helps organisations move beyond emissions reporting to actionable cost-saving solutions and measurable impact, supporting McCarthy's ongoing efforts to build more responsibly.

The report provides a detailed view of McCarthy's carbon footprint across its operations and subsidiaries using 2024 data, covering Scope 1, Scope 2 and key categories of Scope 3 emissions. Scopes 1 and 2 have been independently audited and awarded limited assurance, reinforcing the firm's focus on transparency and accountability – core values central to McCarthy's mission to be the best builder in America.

"McCarthy is one of America's largest construction companies, but at heart we are a community builder, strengthening our local communities for not only today but future generations," says Ian Pope, Senior Director of Sustainability at McCarthy.

"In publishing our updated report, we looked across more than 300 jobsites, offices and supply chain activities to identify where emissions occurred and evaluate opportunities to reduce them.

"As an employee-owned company, this important effort is in line with our core values and provides our teams with the practical data necessary to meet regulatory requirements, while supporting our clients and the communities we serve."

A three-pillar sustainability strategy

McCarthy's sustainability strategy centres on three priorities:

Impact  – McCarthy is responsible for understanding its effects on the environment and is always looking for ways to improve.

People  – McCarthy acts responsibly for its people and the communities it lives and works in.

Energy  – McCarthy is responsible for understanding its energy consumption and is always looking for new ways to conserve it.

Beyond measurement and reporting, the company embeds responsible practices across its projects, including biodiversity initiatives, responsible fuel management and the use of digital tools and artificial intelligence to support smarter project decisions.

Leading the way in solar panel recycling

McCarthy places environmental stewardship and community wellbeing at the core of its sustainability strategy, guided by its value of "We, Not I." As demand for solar energy grows, the company is focusing on responsible end-of-life management for solar panels (PV modules) through its advanced PV recycling programme.

Partnering with Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)-approved recyclers, McCarthy ensures solar panels are processed according to the highest industry standards. This approach diverts waste from landfills, recovers valuable materials such as lead and cadmium, and supports a circular economy, helping to reduce environmental impact and advance sustainability within the renewable energy sector.

By leveraging emissions data and operational insights, McCarthy aims to:

• Enhance operational excellence through more efficient resource management and continuous improvement.
• Help clients achieve their sustainability and supply chain goals, building trust through shared transparency.
• Attract and retain top talent who value working for a company leading the industry in sustainability and accountability.
• Prepare for evolving state and federal climate regulations, ensuring responsible growth in line with broader environmental goals.

Through this data-driven approach, McCarthy continues to demonstrate that being a builder of communities also means being a builder of a more sustainable future.