Driving Sustainability in the Cold Chain
- Sustainability Initiatives at Americold APAC
As a global leader in temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics, Americold has been steadily advancing its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) agenda across its Asia-Pacific (APAC) operations. With a mission to ensure food safety and reduce environmental impact, Americold APAC is aligning its regional strategies with global sustainability goals—delivering measurable progress in energy efficiency, community engagement, and responsible governance.
Environmental Stewardship
At the heart of Americold’s environmental strategy is a commitment to reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. In Australia, the company made headlines with its first solar panel installation at the Laverton site near Melbourne. This facility, equipped with 2,000 solar panels, generates enough electricity to power over 220 homes annually and prevents more than 1,200 tons of CO₂ emissions from entering the atmosphere.
In 2024, Americold completed solar projects at our U.S. sites in Vernon and Vineland, as well as in Barcelona and Algeciras, Spain, and Hemmant and Ormeau, Australia. These, along with 11 additional projects under construction, will reduce annual energy
use by ~19,162,806 kWh, avoiding ~12,875 MTCO2e GHG emissions.
Across the APAC region, Americold integrates energy-efficient building designs, real-time energy monitoring, and utility demand-response programs. These initiatives are part of a broader goal to generate 150,000 MWh of renewable energy annually by 2030.
At Americold’s newest facilities currently under construction at Prospect, NSW in Australia and at Christchurch in New Zealand, key initiatives are being undertaken to make these sites environmentally friendly.
"As part of our commitment to sustainable development, the upcoming new facility builds at Halwyn, Christchurch and Prospect, New South Wales are being designed with a strong focus on environmental performance. Both sites will incorporate solar installations to reduce reliance on grid energy, alongside LED lighting upgrades to improve energy efficiency and lower emissions. Halwyn is also exploring water harvesting solutions to reduce mains water usage and enhance site resilience. Across both locations, enhanced waste management practices—including improved segregation and increased recycling —will help reduce operational waste and support our customers in meeting their own sustainability targets. These initiatives reflect our broader Sustainability strategy and our dedication to responsible, future-focused operations" says Anthony Lenehan, Director - Project Management (Engineering) APAC.
“Our commitment to Sustainability aligns perfectly with our company values and the culture our team has created at Americold.” says Doug Seccombe, Managing Director APAC.
Social Responsibility
Americold’s social impact is equally robust. The company partners with global nonprofits like Feed the Children to combat hunger and support youth development. In 2023, Americold hosted community outreach events that provided food and essential supplies to over 1,200 families. In August 2024, the Hemmant team in Queensland, Australia set a new record for meals created by our APAC team. The team visited FareShare
Community Meals and put together 1,230 meals and packed 5,760 meals for those in need.
Within its own workforce, Americold fosters a culture of safety, inclusion, and professional development—ensuring that associates across APAC are trained, engaged, and recognised for their contributions. In 2024, our associates in Australia and New Zealand completed over 800 hours of online self-paced learning through Go1, a digital learning platform, enhancing their personal and professional development.
Governance and Transparency
Governance at Americold is grounded in ethics, cybersecurity, and transparent reporting. The company adheres to global sustainability frameworks such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). In 2024, Americold conducted a double materiality assessment to better align its ESG disclosures with evolving regulatory standards across the regions it operates in.
Americold APAC’s ESG journey is a testament to how operational excellence and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. As the demand for sustainable logistics grows, Americold is not just keeping pace—it’s setting the standard.
Want to know more on Americold's Sustainability initiatives? Learn more in our annual Sustainability Report.
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