Aquent, a global work solutions company, has announced that it has achieved carbon-negative status.
This accomplishment marks the culmination of four years of dedicated efforts to integrate sustainable practices and strategies into company operations, including transitioning to a virtual-first work model in 2020 and developing and operating a series of renewable energy projects across the Midwest in the US.
“Reaching carbon-negative status has been a collaborative effort that spans every level of our organisation,” said John H. Chuang, founder and CEO of Aquent. “Aquent sets a powerful example of what is possible in climate action when embracing sustainable practices. Going beyond just carbon neutrality and offsets and embracing initiatives that truly have a positive impact on our global community is essential and must become common business practice across all industries”.
Aquent’s carbon-negative status presents a significant advantage for companies striving to meet their own sustainability targets. Partnering with Aquent enables companies to make substantial progress in reducing their Scope 3 emissions, which encompass emissions from a company’s value chain. This not only helps our clients enhance their environmental performance but also positions them as leaders in their respective industries.
In today’s climate-conscious marketplace, aligning with a carbon-negative partner like Aquent demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility. This collaboration simplifies their emissions reporting and strengthens their sustainability credentials, enhancing their brand reputation and attracting environmentally conscious customers and investors.
Aquent’s extensive track record of climate-friendly initiatives dates back to 2020, when the company decided to transition to a virtual-first workplace, eliminating 170,000 square feet of office space across more than 30 locations worldwide. This transition reduced commute-related carbon emissions by more than 80 per cent.
“This achievement is particularly significant for our Australian team. By embracing a virtual-first model, we’ve seen a dramatic reduction in employee commutes. This not only contributes to our global carbon-negative status but also aligns with the growing desire of Australian workers for flexible work arrangements,” says Monique Richards, Aquent’s managing director in Australia.
“What’s more, Aquent becoming carbon negative also positions us as a valuable partner for Australian companies seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and achieve their own sustainability goals”.
Embracing remote work also led to a 72% reduction in purchased electricity and natural gas (Scope 2) emissions. Other contributing factors to Aquent’s carbon-negative status include replacing inefficient technologies with more climate-friendly systems and migrating cloud storage to a facility powered by renewable hydroelectric energy.
In 2022 and 2023, the company rolled out six solar farms, deliberately choosing to build them in coal-heavy states like Indiana and Ohio, which generate higher rates of carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour. Several more large-scale projects are in the works for 2024/2025. These sustainability initiatives represent a 500% increase in Aquent’s carbon offsets, paving the way for the company to erase its entire historical carbon footprint from its founding in 1986.
“We are committed to not just erasing our 38-year carbon footprint, but having a sustained positive impact on our environment by investing in a number of large-scale clean energy projects,” said Chris Bambacus, director of social and environmental responsibility at Aquent. “By becoming one of the first in our clients’ supply chains to go carbon negative, we are also creating a ripple effect—reducing our impact, in turn, lessens our clients’ carbon footprints”.
