SOURCE: Aflac Incorporated
DESCRIPTION:
Aflac is investing in smart environmental solutions that contribute to a sustainable future. Aflac has recently expanded its solar array with an installation at the Paul S. Amos campus. The expansion is expected to lower Aflac’s greenhouse gas emissions in Columbus, Ga., by more than 10%.
To reduce our carbon footprint, we installed a 1.3-megawatt solar array at our largest campus in Columbus, Ga.
Aflac Square in Chofu, Japan
Aflac Japan moved to 100% renewable electricity in Aflac Square, an Aflac Japan-owned building, in January 2022. Scope 1 and 2 emissions for Aflac Square building are expected to be zero* after 2022. Third-party verification of CO2 emissions will be provided on a regular basis.
In 2020, Aflac U.S. purchased Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) that follow the Green-e Renewable Energy Standard for Canada and the United States (V3.4) to cover 100% of electricity used in buildings that Aflac U.S. owns.
Offsets
In 2020 and 2021, Aflac Japan purchased J-Credits to offset the CO2 emissions of Aflac Square until it switched to renewable energy sources in January 2022.
Other Environmental Issues:
Waste Prevention and Reduction
The waste reduction and recycling strategy for Aflac U.S. diverted more than 1,800,000 pounds of paper waste from the landfill in 2021, and our recycling strategy diverted over 2,000,000 pounds of solid waste from the landfill for U.S.-owned properties. With more than half our U.S. employees working outside of our properties in 2021, the percentage of waste recycled increased from 80% to 92% and waste sent to landfills decreased from 223,980 pounds to 194,020 pounds. Our senior vice president of Shared Services and Greenbassador employee network strive to increase the amount of printed materials printed on Forest Stewardship Council- certified paper to 90% by 2025. About 62% of the waste generated by Aflac Japan’s Aflac Square is recycled into recycled paper and other materials.
Aflac Japan Paperless Initiative
In 2020, Aflac Japan began a three-year paperless initiative to digitalize operations.
By the end of June 2022, approximately 4,000 forms will be paperless, reducing paper consumption by approximately 80 million pieces of paper per year, which is 320 tons.
Employee Engagement
We have built several channels through which we engage our global workforce in helping us meet our environmental goals.
In October 2021, Aflac Japan participated in nature conservation activities of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and carried out forest conservation activities as a first step toward measures to address climate change in the future.
Aflac U.S. implemented the following initiatives in 2021
- More than 55 employees in the U.S. – aka Aflac Greenbassadors – volunteer to support Aflac’s environmental goals by coordinating events and offering program communication support to business departments. They also encourage employees to think green not just at work but also at home.
Aflac Japan implemented the following initiatives in 2021 under its Environmental Management Promotion Committee
The Environmental Management Promotion Council, consisting of members recruited from within the Company, planned and implemented a variety of environmental measures, including the implementation of environmental management seminars to raise the awareness of executives and employees, utilizing the knowledge and experience of each member.
The Environmental Management Advocates were appointed at 19 locations across the country to promote environmental protection activities at each location.
Download the 2021 Aflac Business & Sustainability Report here
*Excluding GHG emissions from heavy oil A used as fuel for emergency generators (for use in disasters, approx. 4t-CO2e/year).
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