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Carbon Footprint and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction

Research Innovations Incorporated (“RII”) is committed to environmental sustainability and believes that this commitment is our responsibility as an ethical company, with environmentally friendly initiatives being critical to our business performance. Accordingly, we are committed to achieving Net Zero carbon and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions by 2050.

 
We are currently working to develop a new sustainability strategy and environmental management system.  All emissions reported and future plans include all RII locations – Alexandria, VA, St Petersburg, FL, Melbourne, FL, San Antonio, TX and London, England.

Baseline Emissions Footprint 

Baseline emissions are a record of the GHG that have been produced in the past and were produced prior to the introduction of any strategies to reduce emissions.  Baseline emissions are the reference point against which emissions reduction can be measured. 
 

Base year 2023: 426 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) for the 4 US sites and the 1 UK site


Emissions categories included in RII’s measurements are: 


Scope 1 Direct Emissions: 

  • Fuels - Gas consumption in buildings owned and/or operated by Research Innovations Inc

  • Fugitive emissions - Site-specific fugitive emissions (e.g. air conditioning or refrigerant leakage)

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Scope 2 Indirect Emissions:

  • Imported electricity - Electricity consumption in buildings owned and/or operated by RII

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Scope 3 Other Indirect Emissions: 

  • Upstream transportation and distribution - Transportation and distribution of products purchased by RII in the reporting year between a company’s tier 1 suppliers and its own operations (in vehicles and facilities not owned or controlled by RII); Transportation and distribution services purchased by RII in the reporting year, including inbound logistics, outbound logistics (e.g. of sold products), and transportation and distribution between RII’s own facilities (in vehicles and facilities not owned or controlled by RII)

  • Waste generated in operations - Disposal and treatment of waste generated in RII’s operations in the reporting year (in facilities not owned or controlled by RII)

  • Business travel -Transportation of employees for business-related activities during the reporting year (in vehicles not owned or operated by RII)

  • Employee commuting - Transportation of employees between their homes and their worksites during the reporting year (in vehicles not owned or operated by RII) and Emissions from employee teleworking

  • Downstream transportation and distribution - Transportation and distribution of products sold by RII in the reporting year between RII’s operations and the end consumer (if not paid for by RII), including retail and storage (in vehicles and facilities not owned or controlled by RII)

Baseline Carbon Emissions.png

Emissions Reduction Targets

We have made the commitment to be Net Zero by 2050. This includes emissions in Scope 1, 2 and 3 described above. Our plan for reduction is summarized in the following chart: 

Total Emissions vs Targets.png

Carbon and GHG Emissions Reduction Projects

The following environmental management measures and projects have been completed, implemented or are currently planned for implementation during our reporting year - 2024: 

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  • Initiated the RII Sustainability Program. 

  • Worked with an expert consultant, TEAM Energy, to calculate RII’s carbon footprint and GHG emissions baseline and make recommendations for how we may best achieve Net Zero by 2050.   

  • Published our Net Zero plan, which outlines our approach to reducing emissions and sets out our plans for future projects. 

  • Increased internal communications and engagement across the business regarding our new approach to sustainability. 

  • Sustainability awareness training by an external party or by employees who are upskilled to become “Energy Champions”.

  • The states of Virginia, Florida and Texas have emission targets of 2050 to reduce electricity grid emissions by 90% or more; RII will experience a steady decline in emissions associated with our imported electricity as a result of reduction initiatives by these states. 

  • London is targeting NetZero emissions by 2035, with the national grid’s decarbonization goal of 2030, which will be to the benefit of the RII site in London. 

  • RII has an active and successful recycling program.

  • Our Alexandria office (Metro Park) is Green Building LEED Certified, and hosts such events as Bike To Work day, Waste Audit, E-Cycle events, Battery recycling, free electric car charging stations, free shuttle bus between Franconia-Springfield Metro/VRE station, and Citibike station.

  • Our St Petersburg, FL office (Morgan Stanley Tower), has received the Bronze Bicycle Friendly Business Award 2024-2028 and hosts numerous E-Cycle events throughout the year.

  • Our San Antonio, TX office (Forum Building) hosts E-cycle events throughout the year.

  •  Regular HVAC system checks to avoid f-Gas leaks, and if an f-Gas leak were to happen, ensure system upgrades reduce impact.

  • Our Alexandria, VA office carries out waste audits to understand the volumes and types of waste which needs to be addressed (combustion, landfill, recycling) 

  • When traveling, preference for staying at hotels with sustainability programs in place

  • Ensure catered Tuesday lunches use recycled materials (and that waste is recycled)

  • Give preference to holding meetings virtually, where feasible (limiting trips to those which are essential)

Declaration

This Carbon and GHG Emissions Reduction Plan has been completed in accordance with PPN 06/21 and associated guidance and reporting standards for such reduction Plans.  Emissions have been reported and recorded in accordance with the published reporting standard for Carbon Reduction Plans and the GHG Reporting Protocol corporate standards and uses the appropriate Government emission conversion factors for greenhouse gas company reporting. Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions have been reported in accordance with SECR requirements, and the required subset of Scope 3 emissions have been reported (where available) in accordance with the published reporting standard for Carbon Reduction Plans and the Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Standards. This Carbon Reduction Plan has been reviewed and signed off by the RII board of directors. 


This statement is made pursuant to FAR 52.223-22 Public Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Reduction Goals-Representation and Crown Commercial Services Procurement Policy Notice 06/21 for the financial year ending 2023. 

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Jack G. Harrington

Chief Executive Officer

Research Innovations Incorporated

Last reviewed and updated: December 9, 2024

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