You probably hear the word “sustainability” a lot these days. That’s a good thing: Sustainability is about creating an equilibrium where we live within the limits of what Earth can provide, to ensure a balanced and healthy planet.
AIC is focused on delivering products and solutions through sustainable processes for our customers and operating our business in a responsible way. In 2024, we are committed to an agenda of achieving measurable targets.
We will be sharing our sustainability commitments and tracking our progress by publishing an annual report that summarizes our ongoing efforts. (See our Sustainability page here and download our report here.)
Our approach focuses on environmental sustainability that can be measured, reported, and validated. Specifically, we are pursuing science-based, emission-reduction targets aligned with climate science. This involves measuring our operational carbon emissions.
A fortuitous partnership with SBTi
To do this, we have measured our direct Scope 1 emissions—which includes all emissions generated directly, such as company-owned equipment or vehicle fleets—with the help of third-party emissions-reporting experts and have verified our targets with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
SBTi is a global body that assists businesses in setting ambitious emissions-reduction targets in line with the latest climate science. The process of developing science-based targets provides companies with a clearly defined path to reduce emissions congruent with the Paris Agreement goals.
Beyond that, we are working with our operations teams and suppliers to impact indirect emissions: Scope 2, those generated by purchased energy, and Scope 3, all other emissions not under direct corporate control, such as employee travel or product disposal. This we will achieve by optimizing our logistics, creating ethical sourcing policies, and conducting quality and SMETA audits with our factories.
Getting a firmer grip on GHG
We have worked with third-party experts to measure our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across all our direct operations—transportation, warehousing, travel, etc.—and utilized a GHG Protocol that meets the standards for a comprehensive GHG emissions inventory for a company.
Primary operations and activities for Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions were calculated on our 2022 data and have been validated by SBTi in Q1 2024. After the initial measurement, we submitted our targets to SBTi for validation and approval.
Our near-term emission reduction-target was approved on Jan. 2, 2024.
What’s going on for us in ’24-’25
For the remainder of this year, we will validate and publish our targets and:
Our AIC Sustainability Committee will improve data collection for our GHG inventory and identify additional opportunities to drive environmental improvements across our operations.
Expand our sustainability plan and implement identified activities to reduce our environmental impact.
Continue to work with climate consultants to define our scope and identify activities that will drive the impact of our sustainability plan on our business.
In 2025, we will implement a five-year plan measuring and adjusting our investments and activities to meet our targets.
