Americold Realty Trust, Inc.
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2019, 2021, 2022)
Reporting Period: 2019
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:332,683 MTCO2e (Scope 2) + 1,160 MTCO2e (Scope 1) + 1,971 MTCO2e (Scope 3)
Scope 1 Emissions:1,160 MTCO2e
Scope 2 Emissions:332,683 MTCO2e
Scope 3 Emissions:1,971 MTCO2e
Renewable Energy Share:Less than 1%
Total Energy Consumption:777,089,392 kWh
Water Consumption:617,120,047 gallons
Waste Generated:Over 45,000 tons of construction waste diverted (99% diversion rate)
Carbon Intensity:0.00058 MTCO2E/cwt (US Based), 0.00054 MTCO2E/cwt (International)
ESG Focus Areas
- Environmental Stewardship
- Community Engagement
- Governance
Environmental Achievements
- Invested over $4.2 million in 61 sustainability projects, including LED lighting retrofits at 86 sites globally, installation of VFDs on refrigeration motors, improved energy-efficient doors, and thermal energy storage systems.
- Reduced energy intensity (kWh/catch weight) by 8.2% compared to 2011.
- Reduced energy consumption by 9.9 million kWh compared to 2018.
- Reduced Scope 2 emissions by 4,298 MTCO2e compared to 2018.
- Five sites implemented rainwater harvesting for refrigeration.
Social Achievements
- Partnership with Feed the Children, raising ~$250,000 and facilitating volunteer opportunities.
- Provided energy awareness training and an LED lighting upgrade to the African American Association of Georgia food bank.
- Achieved a record-low Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) of 2.70.
Governance Achievements
- Established a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
- Implemented a Supplier Code of Conduct.
- Maintained strong oversight at all levels of the company with an independent board.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Not disclosed
Medium-term Goals:
- Not disclosed
Short-term Goals:
- Not disclosed
Environmental Challenges
- Potential impacts from climate change, including higher energy and water costs, material cost increases, and revenue loss due to extreme weather events.
Mitigation Strategies
- Risk mitigation planning and preparedness for climate change impacts (flooding, wind, hail, energy, water).
- Due diligence program for acquisitions, evaluating environmental risks and natural hazards.
- Implementation of industry-leading design standards for expansions and new construction.
- Waste reduction in construction projects (99% diversion rate).
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier Code of Conduct
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather events
- Increased demand for limited resources
- Water scarcity
- Flooding
- Wind
- Hail
Transition Risks
- Higher energy costs
- Higher water costs
- Higher material costs
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: Null
Certifications: Safe Quality Food (SQF) for 81 facilities, Global Cold Chain Alliance Energy Excellence Program for 133 sites
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Not disclosed
Awards & Recognition
- Ranked #1 in the Global Cold Chain Alliance Energy Excellence Program
Reporting Period: 2021
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:559552.08 tCO2e/year
Scope 1 Emissions:34694.5 tCO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:524857.58 tCO2e/year
Scope 3 Emissions:Not disclosed
Renewable Energy Share:Not disclosed
Total Energy Consumption:1585011.27 MWh/year
Water Consumption:3600981.82 m3/year
Waste Generated:Not disclosed
Carbon Intensity:0.000206 tCO2e/USD revenue
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced energy consumption through LED lighting projects (4,590,820 kWh annual reduction), VFD installations (2,072,721 kWh reduction), and solar panel installations (6,803,999 kWh generation)
- Reduced water consumption by 1.6 million gallons in Indianapolis facility through rainwater harvesting
Social Achievements
- Not disclosed
Governance Achievements
- Established board-level oversight of climate-related issues through a Sustainability Committee
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Not disclosed
Medium-term Goals:
- Not disclosed
Short-term Goals:
- Not disclosed
Environmental Challenges
- Increased severity and frequency of extreme weather events (floods, cyclones)
- Changes in precipitation patterns and extreme variability in weather patterns (hailstorms)
- Increased cost of raw materials due to climate change impacts
- Transitioning to lower emissions technology (higher energy costs, increased expenses)
Mitigation Strategies
- Risk mitigation planning and proactive preparation for extreme weather events
- Installing roof assemblies with appropriate hail ratings, hail guards, and surge protection
- Working with suppliers whose operations are less likely to be impacted by climate change
- Budgeting for low-emission technology in new construction and capital improvement projects
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Not disclosed
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Increased severity and frequency of extreme weather events
- Changes in precipitation patterns
Transition Risks
- Increased cost of raw materials
- Transitioning to lower emissions technology
Opportunities
- Reduced water usage and consumption
- Use of new technologies (energy efficiency)
- Access to new markets
- Participation in renewable energy programs
- Move to more efficient buildings
- Use of recycling
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: Greenhouse Gas Protocol
Certifications: Null
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Not disclosed
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed
Reporting Period: 2022
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:592561 tCO2e/year
Scope 1 Emissions:59631 tCO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:532561 tCO2e/year
Scope 3 Emissions:500000 tCO2e/year (approx)
Renewable Energy Share:Not disclosed
Total Energy Consumption:1743258 MWh/year
Water Consumption:3746676 m3/year
Waste Generated:161957 tons/year
Carbon Intensity:0.000203 tCO2e/USD revenue
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Energy Efficiency
- Water Conservation
- Waste Reduction
- Green Building Certification
- Renewable Energy
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced energy consumption by 4.8 million kWh through LED lighting conversion at 13 cold storage sites, avoiding 3,376 MTCO2e GHG emissions.
- Reduced energy consumption by 952,000 kWh through VFD installations at two cold storage sites, avoiding 675 MTCO2e GHG emissions.
- Diverted 22% of waste from landfills globally.
- Recycled over 15 million pounds of corrugated materials, 1.8 million pounds of mixed recycling, and over 30 million pounds of compost.
Social Achievements
- Not disclosed
Governance Achievements
- Established board-level oversight of climate-related issues through the ESG Committee.
- Implemented incentive programs for senior management linked to ESG goals.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Not disclosed
Medium-term Goals:
- Achieve 50% Green Building Certification by 2030.
- Achieve 150,000 MWh of renewable energy annually by 2030.
- Install 100% energy-efficient lighting across the global portfolio by 2030.
Short-term Goals:
- Divert more than 10% of waste from landfill (exceeded in 2022).
Environmental Challenges
- Increased severity and frequency of extreme weather events (acute physical risks).
- Changes in precipitation patterns and extreme variability in weather patterns (chronic physical risks).
- Increased cost of raw materials due to climate change impacts.
- Transitioning to lower emissions technology.
Mitigation Strategies
- Installed hail-resistant roof assemblies and hail guards.
- Developed contingency plans for power outages.
- Investing in energy efficiency projects (LED lighting, thermal energy storage, motion-sensor technology, variable frequency drives).
- Implementing rainwater harvesting systems.
- Participating in utility demand-response programs.
- Working with suppliers whose operations are less likely to be impacted by climate change.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier Code of Conduct
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather events (floods, tornadoes, hurricanes)
- Power outages
- Natural disasters
- Rising sea levels
- Changes in precipitation patterns
- Temperature fluctuations
Transition Risks
- Increased cost of raw materials
- Transitioning to lower emissions technology
- Changes in environmental laws and regulations
Opportunities
- Reduced water usage and consumption
- Use of new technologies for energy efficiency
- Access to new markets
- Participation in renewable energy programs
- Move to more efficient buildings
- Use of recycling
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: CDP, GRI, GRESB
Certifications: ENERGY STAR, LEED, BREEAM, NABERS
Third-party Assurance: Third-party limited assurance
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Not disclosed
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed