Abt Sustainability Metrics

2013 Score Card

Context

Abt started tracking environmental footprint metrics in 2012. The categories of metrics tracked include:

·         Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions

·         Energy Consumption

·         Business Air Travel

·         Employee Commuting

·         Materials Consumption

·         Waste Management

·         Abt SRBI

Total Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

Greenhouse gases are those that trap heat in the atmosphere and drive climate change (EPA.gov.; NASA.gov.) The following activities make up the GHG footprint of Abt Associates, and are tracked in metric tons of gases emitted into the atmosphere: Fugitive Emissions from refrigerant management, natural gas combustion, combustion from purchased electricity, emissions from business air travel, and emissions from employee commuting. Abt’s 2013 GHG footprint decreased by 4.67% to 9,754 metric tons of CO₂ equivalents.

Abt Associates’ energy consumption reflects the consumption of natural gas and electricity at Abt’s four U.S. offices. Total energy consumption in 2013 was 42,172 MMBTU which is 8% higher than the previous year. While all other U.S. based offices saw a decrease in electricity consumption, Abt Bethesda increased electricity consumption by more than 6%. All U.S. offices saw an increase in natural gas consumption in 2013.

Note that data for both Cambridge and Durham reflects consumption by both Abt and Abt SRBI operations as Abt SRBI operations are not sub-metered.

Electricity  consumption*

é4.29% from 2012

*Data includes Abt SRBI usage

in the Cambridge

and Durham offices.

Natural gas consumption*

é77.5% from 2012

*Data includes Abt SRBI usage

in the Cambridge

and Durham offices.

Metrics around Business Air Travel reflect all Abt US and Abt overseas travel. In 2013, emission from air travel decreased by 13% from 2012 levels, totaling 3,693 MT CO₂ eq.

While U.S. domestic air travel represents 19% of Abt total emissions from air travel, it represents 30% of the air travel cost. The most common U.S. domestic route is between Boston and the D.C. area, representing 26% of U.S. domestic flight emissions (or 43% of U.S. domestic flight spend), and 5% of total Abt air travel emissions (or 13% of total spend). Between 2012 and 2013, although the average cost per mile decreased by 11%, the number of flights between Boston and the D.C. area increased by 42%, leading to a 47% increase in spend.

Total GHG Emissions from Business Air Travel

3,693 MT CO₂ eq.(ê13% from 2012)

# of U.S. flights between D.C. and Boston areas

2,820 (é47% from 2012)

Commuting is a major part of the work experience for our employees. On average employees spend about 7 hours per week commuting to work. The spectrum of modes of commute ranges from walking to biking, taking public transit, driving alone in car, and carpooling, which corresponds to an equally wide spectrum of health implications (stress, physical activity, etc.), and GHG emissions generated (public transit, versus carpool, versus single occupancy trips).

To capture this footprint, Abt conducts an annual survey for all U.S. staff. The 2013 employee response rate for the survey was 72%, 1% higher than in 2012.  The completion rate was 98% in 2013, and 99% in 2012.

Employees living < 3 miles from Abt office, and driving as part of commute

44% (ê25% from 2012)

Percent of single occupancy trips

91% (ê8% from 2012)

Employees biking to work >1 day / week

83 (é22% from 2012)

Average Transit Subsidy Participation

268 (é12% from 2012)

Bike Maintenance Subsidy Participation

35 employees

In 2013, Abt reduced its total spend on Copy and Print paper by 21%, or by nearly $23,000. 94% of the total 67,742 pounds purchased contained 30% or more post-consumer recycled content, constituting a 9% increase from 2012. This resulted in the purchase of 48,563 lbs. of virgin fiber, representing a 14% decrease of virgin fiber consumption from 2012.

Total Spend on Copy & Print Paper

$84,776 (ê21%  from 2012)

Total Copy & Print Paper Consumption

67,742 lbs. (ê11% from 2012)

Total Virgin Paper Fiber Consumed

48,563 lbs. (ê14%  from 2012)

The Office Supplies category consists of desktop accessories (e.g., binders, staplers, paperclips, etc.), writing instruments (e.g., pencils, pens, highlighters, etc.), and non-copy/print paper supplies (e.g., folders, writing pads, etc.). It excludes copy and print paper (described above), electronics, ink cartridges, and batteries.

While the recycled content of the items purchased is an important indicator, the sheer volume purchased is just as important as reusing materials and prolonging their useful life is significantly preferred  to generating demand for new materials (even ones made from recycled materials). To this end, Abt reduced the number of office supplies items purchased by 28% compared to 2012, leading to a 32% decrease in spend.  Additionally, the percentage of items containing more than 30% post-consumer recycling content increased by 21% compared to 2012.

Total Spend on Office Supplies

$76,639 (ê32%  from 2012)

Total Office Supplies Consumption

8,220 units (ê28%  from 2012)

Percent of Items Containing Post-Consumer Recycled Content 

21% (é21%  from 2012)

CAMBRIDGE:

The Abt Cambridge launched a single stream recycling program in 2011, and then introduced composting in all kitchen area in 2012. A 90% reduction in landfill-bound waste goal was announced in 2012. By the end of 2013, they reach a 52% reduction in land-fill bound waste, reducing trash pick-ups by 57%. By the end of 2013, Abt Cambridge reached a  57% landfill diversion rate(recycling + composting). Generating less waste overall is better than recycling and composting. To this end, Abt has achieved a 22.5% reduction in total waste generation (trash+ recycling+ compost) since 2011.

Total Amount Recycled in  Cambridge in  2013

18.04 tons

Total Amount Composted in Cambridge in 2013

13.78 tons

Total Waste Generated in 2013

(trash + recycling + compost)

73.11 tons (ê22.5% from 2012

BETHESDA:

In the Bethesda office, a dual-stream recycling collection system was in place through 2013. While recycling weight is tracked monthly, trash is pooled with the building and so a recycling rate was not possible to calculate.

Total Amount Recycled in 2013

17.15 tons

(é114% from 2012)

Abt SRBI started tracking GHG emissions and other environmental impact metrics in 2013.  The Abt SRBI 2013 GHG footprint consists of natural gas and refrigerant losses, electricity consumption (Durham and Cambridge is rolled up in Abt emissions), business travel (air and train), and employee commuting. Abt SRBI 2013 emissions are at 13% of Abt’s emissions, or 1,258 MT CO₂ eq.

Total 2013 Emissions 

1,258 MT CO₂ eq.

(13% of Abt Associates 2013 emissions)