-- Achieves 15 per cent year-over-year
CO2 emissions reduction
--
TORONTO, April 22,
2022 /CNW/ - Aecon Group Inc. (TSX: ARE) today
released its third annual Sustainability Report, underscoring
Aecon's progress and key accomplishments in building innovative and
sustainable practices throughout its operations and its continued
commitment to embracing net-zero construction practices.
Aecon is pleased to illustrate the significant progress made in
2021 toward achieving one of the most ambitious Greenhouse Gas
(GHG) reduction targets in the construction industry – to reduce
its direct CO2 emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 and reach
net-zero by 2050. Aecon proudly achieved a 15 per cent
year-over-year CO2 emissions reduction on an intensity basis
and completed a comprehensive GHG inventory, which now includes a
scan of indirect (Scope 3) emissions.
"Our third annual Sustainability Report demonstrates our
leadership in sustainable construction as we continue to not only
integrate sustainability and innovation into our business strategy
but also help our clients to advance key sustainability projects,
which is all driven by our purpose to build what matters to enable
future generations to thrive," said Jean-Louis Servranckx, President and Chief
Executive Officer, Aecon Group Inc. "Leveraging our
multidisciplinary technical, operational and organizational
strengths, we are leading the industry in advancing sustainable
construction – seizing the opportunities associated with the
transition to a net-zero economy, building with innovation, and
introducing new methods and technologies across our
operations."
Highlights of the report include progress in the following key
areas of focus:
- Building Innovation: Aecon created a single point of
entry for employees to put forward new and better ways of working
to focus internal efforts and prioritize project execution across
its operating sectors – resulting in promising pilots such as the
replacement of diesel-powered equipment with solar-powered
alternatives. Aecon also became the first construction company in
Canada to adopt a
sustainability-linked credit facility tied to ESG goals.
- Operationalizing Sustainability: Aecon piloted several
new technologies, including the innovative ECR25 Volvo Electric
excavator – becoming the first construction company in Canada to operate a zero-emission excavator on
an active project site. Aecon also became the first construction
company in Canada to complete a
scan of indirect (Scope 3) emissions and achieved a 15 per cent
reduction in year-over-year GHG emissions across its
operations.
- People and Communities: Aecon fielded its second
diversity census, continued to enhance strategies to procure goods
and services from diverse suppliers, and augmented its Safety-First
culture with a program focused on eight specific activities workers
perform that present elevated risks. Aecon also continued to
establish collaborative and mutually beneficial relationships with
Indigenous communities, including a growing number of
Indigenous-led joint ventures.
- Governance and Ethics: Aecon added ESG screening to
improve its evaluation of preferred suppliers and became the first
construction company in Canada to
commit to having its GHG emissions reduction targets validated by
the globally recognized Science Based Targets initiative
(SBTi).
As ready partners in the energy transition, in 2021, Aecon
continued to advance key sustainability projects, from building
clean-powered mass transit networks to delivering North America's first distribution system for
natural gas blended with hydrogen – and expanding its footprint in
the emerging Green Home Energy Services market to deliver clean
energy solutions to growing communities.
"We are working at the forefront with our partners and clients
to build and operate next-generation infrastructure that enables
society to adapt to a changing climate, and transition to a
net-zero economy," said Yonni
Fushman, EVP, Chief Legal Officer and Chief Sustainability
Officer. "As we lead the way in transforming the infrastructure of
tomorrow, we continue to set industry benchmarks in sustainable
construction while integrating our sustainability program into our
core business – moving Aecon forward as the number one Canadian
infrastructure company."
The complete report is available on Aecon's website at
www.aecon.com/sustainability and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
About Aecon
As a Canadian leader in construction and infrastructure
development with global expertise, Aecon Group Inc. (TSX: ARE)
strives to be the number one Canadian infrastructure company and is
proud to be recognized as one of the Best Employers in Canada. Aecon safely, profitably and
sustainably delivers integrated solutions to private and
public-sector clients through its Construction segment in the
Civil, Urban Transportation, Nuclear, Utility and Industrial
sectors, and provides project development, financing, investment
and management services through its Concessions segment. Join our
online community on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram
@AeconGroup.
Statement on Forward-Looking Information
The information in this press release includes certain
forward-looking statements.These forward-looking statements are
based on currently available competitive, financial and economic
data and operating plans but are subject to risks and
uncertainties. In addition to events beyond Aecon's control, there
are factors which could cause actual or future results, performance
or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or
inferred herein, as discussed in greater detail in Section 13 –
"Risk Factors" in the Management's Discussion and Analysis filed on
March 1, 2022. Except as required by
applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only
as of the date on which they are made and Aecon undertakes no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
SOURCE Aecon Group Inc.