Summit Materials, Inc.
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
Reporting Period: 2020
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:1.96M MT CO2e
Scope 1 Emissions:1.96M MT CO2e
Scope 2 Emissions:0.23 MT CO2e
Renewable Energy Share:20% (grid electricity)
Total Energy Consumption:7.34M GJ
Water Consumption:1.457M cubic meters (utility only)
Waste Generated:5,717 tons of Cement Kiln Dust (other waste types not collected)
ESG Focus Areas
- Carbon Reduction
- Social / Human Impact
- Land Reclamation
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced recordable incident rate by 62% in 2020 versus 2019
- Completed first SASB-compliant baseline for emissions, water, and waste for 2020
- Expanded Green America Recycling facility to increase use of alternative fuels
- Commercialized Portland Limestone Cement (PLC)
- Piloted next-generation low-carbon concrete
- Partnered with universities on AI solutions for ready-mix concrete optimization
- Captured methane at Kansas landfill and evaluated expansion to other landfills
Social Achievements
- Achieved gender parity in 2021 with over 50% female Board directors and over 50% female executive officers
- Implemented mobile hand washing stations at worksites during COVID-19 pandemic
- Implemented e-ticketing system for contactless transactions
- Developed and implemented water conservation programs and closed-loop water systems
Governance Achievements
- Established a Governance and Sustainability Committee to oversee ESG initiatives
- Renamed the Compensation Committee to the Human Capital and Compensation Committee to better reflect its oversight of talent development, diversity and inclusion, employee engagement and company culture
- 8 of 9 directors are independent of the Company
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 (specific targets to be published in early 2022)
Medium-term Goals:
- Reduce carbon emissions by 2030 (specific targets to be published in early 2022)
Short-term Goals:
- Develop specific goals and roadmap to enhance social impact, improve land use practices, and reduce carbon emissions by 2030 and 2050 (to be published in early 2022)
Environmental Challenges
- COVID-19 pandemic impacting operations and employee safety
- Limited data availability for certain waste types in 2020
- Explosion at Green America Recycling facility limiting operations in 2020
- Water withdrawal data limited to utility-provided freshwater withdrawals
Mitigation Strategies
- Implemented COVID-19 safety protocols (mobile hand washing stations, e-ticketing, training & risk assessment)
- Undertaking standardization of hazardous and non-hazardous waste monitoring and reporting
- Received approvals to resume full operations at Green America Recycling facility
- Initiated water metering systems across operations in 2022 to improve data collection
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: SASB
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Portland Limestone Cement (PLC)
- Buildex Haydite (lightweight aggregate)
- Recycled concrete and asphalt
Awards & Recognition
- National Asphalt Pavement Association’s (NAPAs) Diamond Commendation (19 sites)
- The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association’s (NSSGA) Excellence in Community Relations Bronze Award (Boxley operation)
Reporting Period: 2021
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:2.24M tCO2e/year
Scope 1 Emissions:1.89M tCO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:0.31M tCO2e/year
Renewable Energy Share:39.8% (cement plants only)
Total Energy Consumption:8.56M GJ/year
Water Consumption:2,007k m3/year (utility only)
Waste Generated:2,531 t/year (cement kiln dust only)
ESG Focus Areas
- Human/Social Impact
- Land Reclamation
- Carbon Reduction
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Employee Engagement
- Pay Equity
- Talent Acquisition
- Recruitment and Retention Practices
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Water Management
- Waste & Hazardous Materials Management
- Air Quality
- Biodiversity Management
- Closure & Reclamation
- Workforce Health and Safety
Environmental Achievements
- Improved recordable incident rate by approximately 9%
- Improved preventable vehicle incident rate by approximately 33% over 2020
- Published SASB-compliant baseline for emissions, water and waste
- Established specific targets and strategies to address impacts by 2030 and 2050, including a path towards net zero emissions by 2050
- Expanded Green America Recycling facility to increase use of alternative fuels in cement production
- Launched Portland Limestone Cement (PLC), a lower clinker factor cement
- Piloted next generation low carbon concrete
- Partnered with universities investigating AI solutions for ready-mix concrete optimization
- Captured methane at landfill business in Kansas
- Installed fuel consumption and mileage efficiency monitors in every Summit-owned vehicle
- Achieved 39.8% alternative fuel energy in cement plants (above the U.S. industry average of 25%)
- Continental Cement Davenport Plant achieved WHC Conservation Certification Gold Tier
Social Achievements
- Achieved gender parity at the Board and executive officer level
- Launched an employee stock purchase program
- Improved safety record and implemented 5S campaign
- Implemented WTFR (Watch, Think, Focus, Repeat) safety program
- Implemented Samsara fleet safety and fuel consumption tracking system
- Implemented Wash Water Stabilization project, saving an estimated 7,000,000 gallons of water in 2021
- Piloted CarbonCure sustainable concrete technology
Governance Achievements
- Formalized a dedicated ESG function
- 8 of 9 directors are independent
- Over 56% of Board of Directors are female
- Over 60% of executive officers are female, including CEO
- Established specific 2030 and 2050 targets for social impact, land use and carbon emissions
- Helped develop and signed The Portland Cement Association’s pledge to reach carbon neutrality in 2050
- All executives have specific ESG targets as part of their incentive compensation
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Reduce employee turnover to 10-20% by 2050
- Achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 (0.5 - 1.2 M MT CO2e with offsets)
- Achieve 100% renewable power by 2050
- Reduce freshwater withdrawn by 25% by 2050
- Divert 100% of waste by 2050
- Preserve & convert 20% of total acres by 2050
- Reduce cement emissions intensity to 0.25 MT CO2e/mt produced by 2050 (with offsets)
Medium-term Goals:
- Reduce employee turnover to 30% by 2030
- Reduce CO2e emissions to 1.6 - 2.0 M MT CO2e by 2030
- Achieve 30% renewable power by 2030
- Reduce freshwater withdrawn by 10% by 2030
- Divert 80% of waste by 2030
- Preserve & convert 10% of total acres by 2030
- Reduce cement emissions intensity to 0.65 MT CO2e/mt produced by 2030
Short-term Goals:
- Reduce employee turnover to 40% in 2022
- 75% participation in DE&I training
- Set goals for diverse sourcing and candidate pools
- Increase employee engagement survey participation
- Implement water metering across operations
- Develop a specific water action plan
- Standardize waste monitoring and reporting
- Convert diesel-powered stationary operations to line power
Environmental Challenges
- Inability to achieve ESG targets within projected timelines
- Inability to achieve Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives and targets within projected timelines
- Inability to reduce turnover at desired levels and within desired timelines
- Inability to achieve targeted employee engagement levels within desired timelines
- Lack of economically viable market-based CO2e offsets and credits
- Performance of environmental management system
- Performance of existing technology related to CO2e emission reductions
- Development of future technologies related to CO2e emissions
- Continued evolution and development of ESG methodologies, frameworks and standards
- Market adoption of products with less environmental impact
- Supply chain disruptions
- Water scarcity in some operating regions
- Data limitations for waste reporting
Mitigation Strategies
- Developing alternative sourcing strategies
- Implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS) called eVue
- Establishing clear 2030 and 2050 targets for carbon emissions reductions
- Reporting on sustainability progress annually under the SASB Construction Materials Framework
- Aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Recycling hazardous waste and using it as alternative fuel
- Using hybrid vehicles and equipment
- Using recycled materials
- Managing and tracking fleet to optimize fuel efficiency
- Managing and mitigating waste
- Promoting progressive reclamation and biodiversity-focused actions
- Tracking and managing water use
- Implementing water metering systems
- Developing a specific water action plan
- Standardizing hazardous and non-hazardous waste monitoring and reporting
- Developing a comprehensive, company-wide reclamation policy
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Use of recycled materials
- Partnerships with waste recycling facilities
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Abnormal weather
- Flooding
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes
- Market shifts towards lower-carbon products
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
- Expansion of low-carbon economy
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: SASB
Certifications: WHC Conservation Certification (Gold and Silver)
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Portland Limestone Cement (PLC)
- Buildex Haydite lightweight aggregate
- CarbonCure sustainable concrete technology
Reporting Period: 2022
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:2.14M tCO2e/year
Scope 1 Emissions:1.88M tCO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:0.26M tCO2e/year
Renewable Energy Share:38.2% (cement plants)
Total Energy Consumption:7.38 M GJ/year
Water Consumption:1,496 k cubic meters/year (utility only)
Waste Generated:5,028 tons/year (Cement Kiln Dust only)
ESG Focus Areas
- Human/Social Impact
- Land Reclamation
- Carbon Reduction
Environmental Achievements
- 22% improvement in recordable incident rate (2022 vs 2021)
- Sold 1.5 million tons of lower emitting Portland Limestone Cement in 2022 (300,000 tons ahead of target)
- 38.2% of cement plants’ energy from alternative fuel in 2022
- Captured methane at landfill business in Kansas
- Recycled more than 185,000 tons of concrete and more than 12,800 tons of other recycled materials in 2022
- Recycled asphalt accounted for 12% of total tons produced in 2022
Social Achievements
- Launched an employee stock purchase program
- Increased investment in talent acquisition and retention, employee engagement and diversity initiatives
- Achieved an MSCI rating of “AAA”
- Gender parity on the Board of Directors
Governance Achievements
- Established specific 2030 and 2050 targets for social impact, land use and carbon emissions
- ESG targets embedded in executive compensation
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Net zero emissions by 2050
- Preserve and convert 20% of total acres by 2050
- Achieve 100% renewable power by 2050
- Reduce cement emissions intensity to 0.25 MT CO2e/mt produced by 2050 (with offsets)
Medium-term Goals:
- Reduce freshwater withdrawn by 25% by 2050
- Divert 100% of waste by 2050
- Reduce employee turnover to 20% by 2050
- Achieve 80% employee engagement by 2050
- Match community diversity in employee base by 90% by 2050
Short-term Goals:
- Reduce freshwater withdrawn by 10% by 2030
- Divert 80% of waste by 2030
- Reduce employee turnover to 30% by 2030
- Achieve 75% employee engagement by 2030
- Match community diversity in employee base by 60% by 2030
Environmental Challenges
- Inability to achieve ESG targets within projected timelines
- Lack of economically viable market-based CO2e offsets and credits
- Supply chain disruptions due to climate events (implied)
- Achieving greater diversity in frontline leadership
Mitigation Strategies
- Developed specific 2030 and 2050 emissions reduction targets and strategies
- Expanding Green America Recycling facility to increase alternative fuel use
- Transitioning to Portland Limestone Cement (PLC)
- Piloting next-generation low-carbon concrete
- Investing in talent acquisition and retention, employee engagement and diversity initiatives
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Code of Vendor Conduct
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Abnormal weather
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes
- Market shifts
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
- Expansion of low-carbon product offerings
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: SASB
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Portland Limestone Cement (PLC)
- Buildex Haydite lightweight aggregate
- CarbonCure concrete technology
Awards & Recognition
- MSCI AAA rating
- Samsara Connected Operations Award for Most Sustainable Operations
- Virginia Statewide Mineral Mining Reclamation Award
- Jack Starner Award for Outstanding Reclamation Success
- Missouri Limestone Producers Association’s Hillenkamp-Rush Meritorious Safety Award
- NAPA Diamond Commendation (15 sites)
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:1.73M MT CO2e
Scope 1 Emissions:1.73M MT CO2e
Scope 2 Emissions:0.28M MT CO2e
Renewable Energy Share:30%
Total Energy Consumption:7.17M GJ
Water Consumption:1,228 k cubic meter (utility only)
Waste Generated:9327 metric tons of cement kiln dust (775 tons landfilled, 8552 tons shipped off-site)
Carbon Intensity:0.65 MT CO2e/MT produced (2023), target 0.25 MT CO2e/MT produced by 2050
ESG Focus Areas
- Carbon Reduction
- Land Reclamation
- Human/Social Impact
Environmental Achievements
- Exceeded expectations with lower diesel fuel usage in fleet and higher thermal substitution rate at cement plants, reducing costs and emissions.
- Full implementation of Portland Limestone Cement (PLC), a lower clinker factor cement in certain markets.
- Expansion at Green America Recycling facility to increase use of alternative fuels in cement production.
- Recycled asphalt accounted for 20% of total tons produced in 2023.
- Captured methane at landfill business in Kansas.
Social Achievements
- 100% of company leadership completed unconscious bias training.
- Launched an employee stock purchase program.
- Improved inclusivity score, showing a relationship between inclusivity and turnover reduction.
- 3,731 volunteer hours performed.
- Completed 529 activities with positive social and environmental impact on communities.
Governance Achievements
- Gender parity at the Board and executive officer level.
- 8 of 9 directors are independent.
- Adopted a policy to require diverse candidate pools for Board vacancies.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Reduce CO2e emissions to 0.5-1.2 M MT by 2050 (with offsets to reach net zero)
- Achieve 100% renewable energy by 2050
- Reduce employee turnover to 20% by 2050
- Match % diversity in employee base to 90% by 2050
- Reclaim land to 20% of total acres by 2050
- Divert 100% of waste from landfill by 2050
Medium-term Goals:
- Reduce CO2e emissions to 1.6-2.0 M MT by 2030
- Achieve 30% renewable energy by 2030
- Reduce employee turnover to 30% by 2030
- Match % diversity in employee base to 60% by 2030
Short-term Goals:
- Reduce water consumption by 10% by 2030
- Reduce waste to landfill by 80% by 2030
Environmental Challenges
- Lack of economically viable market-based CO2e offsets and credits.
- Performance of environmental management system.
- Performance of existing technology related to CO2e emission reductions.
- Development of future technologies related to CO2e emissions.
- Continued evolution and development of ESG methodologies, frameworks and standards.
- Market adoption of products with less environmental impact.
- Ability to reduce turnover at desired levels and within desired timelines.
Mitigation Strategies
- Established an ESG strategic roadmap on value generative commitments.
- Intensified focus on belonging and inclusion to enhance employee well-being, lower costs, and improve productivity.
- Investing in fleet electrification and diesel to line power conversion.
- Leveraging safety, fuel and emissions monitoring data from vehicles to reduce impacts.
- Partnering with a university on exploring carbon capture opportunities.
- Leveraging DOE funding options where it makes sense.
- Aligning with innovative companies.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Code of Vendor Conduct
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Abnormal weather
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes
- Market shifts
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
- Expansion of Green America Recycling
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: SASB
Certifications: WHC Conservation Certification Gold Tier (Davenport Plant Wildlife Restoration Areas)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
- Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure)
- Goal 13 (Climate Action)
- Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
- Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)
Initiatives contribute to these goals through emissions reduction, renewable energy use, sustainable product development, employee well-being, and community engagement.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Portland Limestone Cement (PLC)
- CarbonCure sustainable concrete technology
- Buildex Haydite lightweight aggregate
Awards & Recognition
- NAPA Diamond Commendation (15 sites)
- GCCA Safety Awards
- Mine Safety Awards
- SCAA NSSGA GOLD AWARD
- WHC Conservation Certification Gold Tier