Aecon releases inaugural sustainability report
The Aecon Group released its first-ever sustainability report on August 18. The document highlights the progress, initiatives and commitments the company has made regarding its environmental, social and governance processes and strategies.
"The infrastructure Aecon builds is critical in enabling society to adapt to a changing climate, transition to a lower carbon, circular economy, and stay safe as the world endures an unprecedented pandemic,” said president and CEO Jean-Louis Servranckx. “Aecon's goal is to be the number one Canadian infrastructure company and we recognize the important role sustainability plays in continuing to be a leader in the industry and the country. Together, with the collective efforts of our thousands of employees, we are dedicated to our sustainability commitments."
The report, which is titled Building the Infrastructure of a Better Tomorrow, outlines Aecon's sustainability strategy. Focus areas identified in the report include people, projects, the environment, and communities.
Under the projects heading, the company has built or is building 119 new infrastructure projects across the country, as well as 19 bridges, four light rail projects, six LEED certified buildings, and six clean-water projects. The company says it is committed to building renewable, low-carbon and zero-emission power generation, water and wastewater treatment and safe and efficient urban transportation projects, and to take a life-cycle approach to those projects it is managing under public-private partnership arrangements.
Under the communities heading, Aecon points to the more than $1.1 million the company donated to charities and non-profit organizations in 2019. Employees raised more than $365,000 of that total for local and national charities, while Aecon’s John M. Beck Scholarship program has provided more than $400,000 in awards to post-secondary students since 2011.
In addition, the company has forged several significant relationships with First Nations communities. Among these is the Aecon Six Nations Joint Venture that provides a broad range of utility-related work within the gas, fibre, forestry and hydro sectors in Ontario, and employs more than 80 Indigenous employees at the peak of construction season.
Aecon's report discloses the company’s 2019 greenhouse gas emissions from its corporate operations. Key emissions include those from fleet vehicles and air travel.
Aecon says it is committed to providing employees with a safe, professional, passionate, diverse and inclusive work environment, with opportunities for career development and community involvement. The company has built initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion, gender diversity and anti-racism.
The report was praised for its completeness and disclosure standards by Cynthia A. Williams, Osler Chair in Business Law and Osgoode Hall Law School, who highlighted the company’s work in sustainability in particular.
To that end, Aecon has appointed Yonni Fushman, executive vice-president, chief legal officer & corporate secretary, to also serve as the firm‘s chief sustainability officer.
"Moving forward, Aecon will continuously improve in establishing and measuring key metrics, setting meaningful goals and targets, and leading the industry in sustainable infrastructure construction and development," he said.