Acuity Brands, Inc.
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024)
Reporting Period: 2019
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Environment
- Social
- Governance
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced carbon footprint by approximately 21.7 million kWh in a single year by driving efficiency in the usage of raw materials (steel and aluminum).
- Reduced cardboard packaging by 72% per truckload for a large retail customer, resulting in a reduction of 52 tons of cardboard, saving 884 trees and 41 fewer truck deliveries.
- Integrated BuildingOS® at 82% of facilities, providing energy consumption baselines.
Social Achievements
- 60% lower Total Recordable Incident Rate than the lighting fixture manufacturing industry average.
- Conducted 1,150 wellness screenings at 12 Acuity Brands locations.
- Launched associate engagement initiatives such as Dress Your Way and affinity groups (MAGIC and Women’s Network).
Governance Achievements
- Established EarthLIGHT program to coordinate ESG efforts, measure performance, and communicate with stakeholders.
- Expanded the reach of the Code of Ethics.
- Required supply chain partners to demonstrate similar ethical standards.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Reduce carbon footprint of raw materials, packaging, and shipping by 25% by 2022.
- Reduce energy usage per unit shipped by 25% by 2022.
- Reduce carbon footprint of products by 25% by 2022.
- Increase associate engagement score to 85 by 2022.
- Reduce carbon footprint of raw materials, packaging, and shipping by 15% by 2020.
- Reduce energy usage per unit shipped by 15% by 2020.
- Increase associate engagement score to 78 by 2020.
- 100% of associates (salaried and hourly) complete Code of Ethics modules by 2022.
Environmental Challenges
- Reducing the company's overall carbon footprint.
- Improving associate engagement scores.
- Expanding the reach of the Code of Ethics to include hourly workers.
Mitigation Strategies
- Setting goals to reduce carbon footprint by at least 25% by the end of fiscal 2022 and 15% reduction in energy usage per unit shipped by 2020.
- Implementing initiatives to increase associate engagement score to 85 by 2022.
- Planning to expand Code of Ethics training to include hourly workers in fiscal 2020.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier Code of Conduct
- Conflict Minerals Policy
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI, SASB
Certifications: ENERGY STAR, California Title 20, California Title 24, DesignLights Consortium® (DLC)
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Energy-efficient LED lighting fixtures and controls
Awards & Recognition
- Named one of the best employers in Georgia by Forbes
Reporting Period: 2020
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Environment
- Social
- Governance
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced carbon emissions associated with key inputs (steel, aluminum, cardboard, and diesel fuel) by 9.55% from FY19 to FY20 (6,535 metric tons)
- Achieved 71% reduction in cardboard usage across over 50 product families
- Potential customer energy savings of 13.3 billion kWh from products and services sold in fiscal 2020
Social Achievements
- Expanded paid and unpaid leave policies to cover COVID-19 exposures, self-quarantines, and school closures
- Implemented safety measures in manufacturing and distribution facilities to mitigate COVID-19 risks
- Launched Light The Way Leadership Program for employee development
- Contributed $50,000 to racial justice organizations
- Launched IT security training via Acuity Academy
Governance Achievements
- Added two women directors to the Board, both with backgrounds in the technology sector
- Reviewed and updated compensation policies based on shareholder feedback
- Selected a new compensation consultant to provide a fresh look at various aspects of compensation programs
Climate Goals & Targets
- Carbon neutrality
- Achieve 25% reduction in energy consumption per unit of revenue by FY22 from FY19 baseline
- Reduce energy consumption by 20% from FY19 baseline in FY21
Environmental Challenges
- COVID-19 pandemic impacted operations and energy conservation plans
- Need to enhance diversity and inclusion metrics
Mitigation Strategies
- Implemented remote work policies and safety measures to address COVID-19 challenges
- Established a standing steering committee to guide diversity and inclusion efforts
- Developed diversity metrics around recruitment, promotion, and retention
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 43 of Top 50 suppliers signed Supplier Code of Conduct
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier Code of Conduct
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI, SASB
Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 45001
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Lithonia Lighting JEBL Round LED high bay
- Upgraded I-BEAM® IBG High Bay
- Holophane® Petrolux® LED Low Bay
Reporting Period: 2021
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Governance
- Health & Well-Being
- Community Engagement
Environmental Achievements
- Achieved carbon neutrality in operations
- Announced a 100 million metric ton carbon avoidance ambition by 2030 through LED and building management system sales.
- Calculated Scope 3 emissions for the first time.
- Improved emissions at nine facilities, achieving a 20% reduction target from the FY19 baseline.
Social Achievements
- Built a strong and diverse leadership team
- Launched Executive-level ESG and DEI Councils
- Implemented Acuity Anywhere, a new holistic hybrid work model
- Introduced new technology solutions
- Improved associate engagement score to 84%, exceeding industry averages.
- Launched Holiday Hustle 5K associate engagement event.
- Donated 225 Portable Healthcare Light Stands to MedShare.
Governance Achievements
- Established an Executive-level EarthLIGHT Council
- Enhanced several governance practices to emphasize long-term value creation (including creating DEI and ESG Councils, Board refreshment, compensation program changes, enhanced data privacy and information security, and bylaw amendments).
- Completed a Service Organization Control (SOC®) 2, Type 1 Audit.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- 100 million metric tons of carbon avoidance by 2030
- Not disclosed
Environmental Challenges
- Ongoing global pandemic
- Supply chain and labor shortages
Mitigation Strategies
- Implemented a listening and engagement strategy with stakeholders
- Drove product innovation and technology improvements
- Built a stronger culture
- Enhanced governance activities
- Implemented Acuity Anywhere hybrid work model
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier Code of Conduct
- Focus on reducing cardboard usage
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: SASB
Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 45001
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- LED luminaires
- Lighting controls
- Building management systems
- Compact Pro High Bay (CPHB)
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
Environmental Achievements
- Avoided more than an estimated 2.2 million metric tons of power plant CO2 emissions annually in FY2020.
- Achieved carbon neutrality in operations in March 2023.
Social Achievements
- Not disclosed
Governance Achievements
- Not disclosed
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Enable customers to avoid 100 million metric tons of carbon emissions by fiscal 2030.
- Not disclosed
Environmental Challenges
- Not disclosed
Mitigation Strategies
- Not disclosed
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Not disclosed
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: Null
Certifications: Null
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- LED luminaires, lighting controls, and building and refrigeration controls
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed
Reporting Period: 2024
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Environmental
- Social
- Governance
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 24.9% overall from fiscal 2019 to fiscal 2024.
- Reduced Scope 3 Emissions Intensity covering use of sold products by 71.1% per USD value added from fiscal 2015 to fiscal 2024.
- Enabled an estimated 34 million metric tons of GHG avoidance from fiscal 2020 through fiscal 2024.
Social Achievements
- Achieved an 84 Ethical Culture Score (Trust Index), demonstrating progress from fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022.
- Achieved an 86 Sustainable Engagement Score, demonstrating progress from fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022.
- Achieved an 86 Inclusion and Belonging Score, demonstrating progress from fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022.
- Over 600 associates completed the 3x4 Coaching program.
- Welcomed more than 170 interns.
Governance Achievements
- Released an enhanced Code of Ethics and Business Conduct.
- Received an 84 Ethical Culture Score, an increase from fiscal 2023.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Net-zero GHG emissions across our value chain by 2040
- Reduce Scope 3 Emissions Intensity Covering Use of Sold Products by 66.3% per USD value added between fiscal 2015-2030
- Enable 100 Million Metric Tons of GHG Avoidance by fiscal 2030
- Reduce Scope 1 and 2 Emissions by 42.8% between fiscal 2019-2029
- Reach an Average Supplier Score of 3.0 on our Responsible Sourcing Metric by fiscal 2025
- Achieve an Ethical Culture Score at or above the norm for High-Performing Companies by fiscal 2025
- Achieve a Sustainable Engagement Score at or above the norm for High-Performing Companies by fiscal 2025
- Maintain an Inclusion and Belonging Score at or above the norm for High-Performing Companies by fiscal 2025
Environmental Challenges
- Water scarcity in Mexico due to drought and aging infrastructure.
- Power outages in Mexico due to aging infrastructure, seasonal weather patterns, and increased energy demand.
- Supply chain disruptions due to extreme weather events.
- Potential future regulations on carbon emissions.
Mitigation Strategies
- Installed Tesla Megapacks at production facilities to mitigate power outages.
- Implemented water-saving protocols at Mexican facilities.
- Diversified supply base with onshore and nearshore capabilities.
- Developed a net-zero ambition by 2040.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier Code of Conduct
- Supplier EarthLIGHT Assessment
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Water scarcity
- Floods
- Brown outs
Transition Risks
- Climate-related regulations and costs
Opportunities
- Increased demand for energy-efficient products
- New technologies and market niches
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: ISSB, SASB, TCFD
Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 45001
Third-party Assurance: Third-party auditor (name not specified)
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- LED lighting fixtures
- Lighting controls
- Building management systems
- Atrius® Sustainability Starter
Awards & Recognition
- Partners in Performance in Sustainability award from W.W. Grainger, Inc.
- Newsweek’s America’s Greenest Companies list
- USA Today’s America’s Climate Leaders list
- Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity 2024 list
- Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Workplaces 2024 list
- tED Magazine’s Best of the Best Marketing Award