ATLANTA – January 11, 2023 – Atrius, part of Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI), today released its first State of Corporate Sustainability Report, an analysis of how organizations create, enact, and communicate sustainability goals. This year’s report, a survey of sustainability and energy leaders across a dozen industries, reveals that sustainability and technology have intersected to create a new megatrend – an effort to minimize the impacts of climate change while maximizing the impacts of technology.
“Corporate America is developing an ethos that embraces pursuing commercial success while also taking a leadership role in protecting the global environment,” said Adam Handler, Director, Corporate Sustainability & Communications, Acuity Brands. “With proposed federal regulations that may require publicly traded companies to provide emissions transparency and reporting, there is a strong business case for integrating sustainability across organizational processes. This year’s survey respondents no longer view energy management as the destination, but rather the first of many crucial steps on the journey to sustainability towards the long-term goal of Net Zero operation.”
The new study, which builds on previous data collected by Atrius in partnership with Smart Energy Decisions, identifies positive trends toward sustainability goals with 60% of the respondents reporting being “on track” or “ahead” in their goals. However, the study also shows varying levels of maturity on the corporate sustainability journey, with 38% saying that they are “behind” or “just getting started”. Challenges cited include budget constraints and ill-defined ROI that continue to hamper implementation efforts. Unrealistic expectations also narrow the timeframe for the sustainability journey — successful outcomes with early “low-hanging fruit” projects inadvertently position sustainability as a one-time sprint versus an ongoing marathon.
Atrius will host a webinar Wednesday, Feb. 1 to review this year’s State of Corporate Sustainability Report with an expert panel discussing its key findings and shifting perspectives. Debra Chanil, Research & Content Director for Smart Energy Decisions, will moderate a conversation with Adam Handler, Director, Corporate Sustainability & Communications, Acuity Brands.
Sustainability leaders are invited to join the Feb. 1 webinar to learn how other professionals are defining priorities for sustainability programs, overcoming barriers to successful implementation, and developing in-depth data collection and reporting. For more information, check out the 2023 State of Corporate Sustainability Report or to register for the webinar.
About Atrius
Atrius is part of the Intelligent Spaces Group within Acuity Brands, a market-leading industrial technology company. Our suite of products and solutions control thousands of buildings, interact with millions of people, and manage billions of square feet of real estate around the world every single day. We deliver solutions that optimize building performance, streamline enterprise operations, and enhance how people interact with spaces.
About Smart Energy Decisions
Smart Energy Decisions is a web-based information resource dedicated exclusively to addressing the needs of commercial, industrial, institutional, and municipal electric power customers. We deliver events, news, analysis, research and opinion to help our readers make better decisions. Our goal is to serve as a catalyst for change in support of the dramatic energy transformation taking place in the electric power market impacting large electric power customers, utilities and suppliers. Visit us at www.smartenergydecisions.com.
About Diversified Communications
Diversified Communications is a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities, and digital and print publications. As producers of these market-leading products, Diversified Communications connects, educates, and strengthens business communities in over 15 industries including: renewable energy, healthcare, natural and organic, food and beverage, and technology. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, USA, with divisions and offices around the world, Diversified Communications remains a privately held, third-generation, family-owned business. For more information, visit: https://www.divcom.com.
About Acuity Brands
Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is a market-leading industrial technology company. We use technology to solve problems in spaces and light, and more things to come. Through our two business segments, Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls (ABL) and the Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG), we design, manufacture, and bring to market products and services that make a valuable difference in people’s lives.
We grow by developing innovative new products and services, including lighting, lighting controls, building management systems, and location-aware applications. Acuity Brands, Inc. is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with operations across North America, Europe, and Asia. The Company is powered by more than 13,000 dedicated and talented associates. Visit us at www.acuitybrands.com.
Forward-Looking Information
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). Forward-looking statements use words such as “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “indicative,” “projection,” “predict,” “plan,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “potential,” and words of similar meaning, as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions, or circumstances. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Act. Statements that describe or relate to the Company’s plans, goals, intentions, strategies, or financial outlook, and statements that do not relate to historical or current fact, are examples of forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Our forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions, which may not prove to be accurate, and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of our control. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and management’s present expectations or projections. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K (including, but not limited to, Part I, Item 1a Risk Factors), quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect any events or circumstances after the date of this quarterly report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Media Contact:
Katherine Verducci
