Aecon releases second annual sustainability report, commits to 30% reduction in direct CO2 emissions by 2030 and net-zero by 2050

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aecon sustainability report cover 2021

Ontario Construction News staff writer

Aecon Group Inc. has released its second annual Sustainability Report, outlining what the contractor describes as โ€œprogress and key accomplishments in responsible Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices.โ€

The company says in a statement that the report includes a comprehensive Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory of direct emissions from all its operations in 2020. Aecon also announced that it has set a target to reach net-zero by 2050, with an initial interim target to achieve a 30 per cent reduction in direct CO2 emissions by 2030 as compared to 2020.

โ€œAecon is proud to release its second annual Sustainability Report, Building Better Together, demonstrating the momentum of Aeconโ€™s sustainability program and our proven resiliency as we continue to deliver vital infrastructure in Canada and beyond amidst a challenging COVID-19 operating environment,โ€ said Aeconโ€™s president and CEO Jean-Louis Servranckx

โ€œThe completion of a comprehensive GHG emissions inventory with direct and measurable targets positions Aecon as an industry leader in this important area โ€“ underscoring our commitment to harness innovation, reduce waste, boost efficiency and consistently improve business performance.โ€

Report highlights include progress in what Aecon describes as four key priority areas:

  • People: Aecon completed its first diversity and inclusion census, which will help benchmark ongoing progress in dismantling barriers between talented people of all backgrounds and opportunities enterprise-wide.
  • Environment: Aecon expanded its GHG emissions inventory to include its construction projects. Completing a comprehensive emissions inventory has enabled us to develop a strategy to reduce direct CO2 emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 as compared to 2020 and to set an aspirational target of net-zero by 2050 (indirect and direct CO2 emissions).
  • Communities: Aecon expanded its procurement program for Indigenous-owned businesses, increased Indigenous engagement accountability, augmented its corporate philanthropy program and advanced multiple innovative community joint ventures and partnerships. Aecon is proud to be a partner of the Inclusive Local Economic Opportunity (ILEO) initiative โ€“ a pilot project with the United Way Greater Toronto to catalyze local economic development opportunities in the Golden Mile area of Scarborough, Ontario.
  • Governance and Ethics: Aecon expanded its anti-bribery and anti-corruption training and certification programs, introduced new tools for anonymous reporting of ethics concerns, and fortified its sustainability leadership team.

โ€œAecon is dedicated to both realizing and catalyzing positive change. Along with our partners and clients, Aecon is leading the way in building thriving communities that support the transition to a net-zero economy,โ€ said Yonni Fushman, executive vice-president, chief legal officer and chief sustainability officer. โ€œAecon is unwavering in our drive to clearly be the number one Canadian infrastructure company and to consistently set industry benchmarks for sustainable operations and ESG reporting. Aeconโ€™s sustainability program is integral to our core business as we move forward.โ€

The complete report is available on Aeconโ€™s website at www.aecon.com/sustainability.

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