TOLEDO, Ohio — August 5, 2025 — Building on a year of rapid growth and verified climate commitments, SSOE Group, an internationally ranked architecture and engineering firm, announced today it earned the EcoVadis Sustainability Committed Badge. Awarded to companies that achieve a minimum ESG score of 45, the badge recognizes SSOE’s continued progress in sustainability. The firm earned the distinction following a 12% improvement in its ESG score and a Sustainability score of 70—well above the industry average of 48.
This milestone follows the recent validation of SSOE’s science-based emissions targets by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a globally respected benchmark for corporate climate action. SSOE is one of only a handful of architecture and engineering firms to achieve this validation, which confirms the firm has a credible, measurable roadmap for reducing emissions in line with climate science. Together, these achievements mark another step forward in SSOE’s ESG evolution and underscore its commitment to embedding these principles into every facet of its operations—now detailed in its second annual ESG Report, released last month.
SSOE’s Matthew Oberts, PE, LEED AP, Chief Operating Officer, Building and Industrial Facilities, commented on the achievement, stating: 
“Our EcoVadis score improvement and SBTi validation are more than achievements—they’re proof points of our purpose. We’re designing and building a future that’s not only resilient, but regenerative—for our clients, colleagues, and communities. ESG isn’t a side initiative, it’s the blueprint for how we lead. As ESG becomes an increasingly important factor in market competitiveness, we’re committed to helping our clients prioritize it—when they choose to—by modeling it within our own business. These are long-term commitments, and milestones like these deserve to be celebrated.”
From Commitment to Execution
Since publishing its inaugural ESG Report in 2024 (featuring 2023 data), SSOE has grown its workforce by 33% while reducing emissions per revenue by 27% and emissions per employee by 11%. The newly released second annual ESG Report, based on 2024 data, marks a shift from foundational commitments to measurable outcomes, demonstrating how ESG is integrating into operations, project delivery, and innovation strategy, driving meaningful impact.
In addition to the firm’s updated EcoVadis score and recently earned Sustainability Commitment Badge, highlights from its most recent ESG Report include the following:
- 100% renewable electricity now powers all SSOE office locations.
- SSOE achieved a 43% average reduction in Energy Use Intensity across 27 million SF of project space.
- Launched a firmwide AI Governance Framework to drive innovation with integrity.
- Expanded inclusion efforts, doubling Employee Resource Groups and achieving 100% employee training participation.
- Accelerated investment in STEM and workforce development to expand access to inclusive, high-impact education, advancing global goals for quality learning and reduced inequalities.
Jennifer Breault, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, Senior Architect and Chair of the SSOE’s Sustainable Design Strategy Group, commented:
“In our 2024 report, we’re not just reporting progress—we’re building traction. This EcoVadis recognition affirms our ESG strategy is not only maturing but accelerating. It’s shaping how we grow, innovate, and deliver value to our clients and communities. As part of a team of professionals who’ve been driving this evolution for years, I’m so excited to see our progress continue and at a measured pace.”
With a 2030 roadmap focused on supplier emissions, lifecycle assessments, and deeper alignment with global frameworks, SSOE is moving from momentum to transformation with a mission to designing for the future. The firm’s 2024 ESG Report is available in English and Spanish, a commitment to inclusive, global communication.
