Net Zero Emissions

AMC has long been conscious of and taken responsibility for the impacts created by our use and enjoyment of the outdoors. In 2003, we began compiling data on our operational carbon footprint (primarily heating, electricity, and vehicles). We adopted what was then the IPCC’s goal of reducing our net carbon footprint by 80 percent below our average 2004-2005 operational baseline by 2050.

Considerable progress has been made to date, including but not limited to:

• Retrofitting older facilities to improve their energy efficiency (heating, lighting, insulation, electrification, etc.)
• Designing new facilities with a focus on energy efficiency
• Increasing the on-site generation of renewable energy
• Improving the fuel efficiency of our vehicle fleet
• Reducing staff travel through increased use of teleconferencing
• Encouraging the use of public transportation and carpooling
• Protecting 100,000 acres of forest in Maine that is sequestering considerable amounts of carbon, some of which is available as forest carbon offsets from two verified projects with a third under development

Despite this progress over the last two decades, meeting our updated net zero goal will remain a significant challenge. We will share our story as we work to reduce emissions from our operations, raise public awareness, and inspire others to reduce their carbon footprints. In support of our climate goals, AMC has also made a commitment to track progress towards our net zero target and will report progress annually.

Net Zero no later than 2050

As part of its AMC150 strategic vision, AMC has pledged to become “net zero” in greenhouse gas emissions no later than 2050, and to reduce our emissions 45% from 2010 levels by 2030.  AMC’s net zero goal is based on the latest recommendation from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change as to what is necessary to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

To enable progress towards these targets, AMC has adopted a Net Zero Strategic Plan that includes 12 goals and 43 strategies spanning multiple areas while upholding our mission to foster the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the outdoors. Links to AMC’s Net Zero Strategic Plan, Summary document, and Technical Appendix can be found below.

AMC’s updated Energy and Climate Policies are integrated around the common framework of climate change.  They will continue to guide AMC’s public positions and advocacy on energy and climate issues as the world transitions to a net zero carbon economy, and help us find the appropriate balance between supporting the development of renewable energy and protecting the natural landscapes that are at the heart of our mission.

The policies’ “Guiding Principles” lay out AMC’s values. Our internal activities and climate and energy policy engagements will be based upon the following principles:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  
• Set net zero climate targets and develop roadmaps.  
• Promote transparency in tracking and reporting.  
• Support carbon offsets and carbon sequestration technologies.  
• Avoid unnecessary impacts with best available practices and technology.   
• Mitigate for unavoidable resource impacts.  
• Develop decommissioning plans.  
• Conduct a transparent and robust stakeholder engagement process.   
• Ensure equity and environmental justice.  

The net zero policy has two major components.  First is a commitment to track and publicly report our emissions and our progress in reducing them.  Second is a “Carbon Mitigation Hierarchy” that sets forth the strategic approach to reducing our organizational emissions.

The Carbon Mitigation Hierarchy has three levels:

1. Avoid and reduce emissions from transportation and buildings through energy efficiency and conservation. This ranges from low-cost or cost-saving endeavors that should be used as first-choice solutions to major capital investments in building systems and vehicles.  This includes transitioning building heating and vehicles away from fossil fuels to electricity.
2. Eliminate emissions from electricity by investing in renewable sources of energy.  Generating or purchasing renewable energy is necessary to avoid the emissions from fossil fuel-generated electricity.
3. Offset any remaining emissions.  AMC will retire offsets from our verified forest carbon projects on our Maine Woods lands to balance emissions that cannot be reduced or eliminated.  This is the last step, and the availability of our own offsets will not be used as a reason to avoid the necessary investments in real emissions reductions.

For more information on AMC’s climate goals and Net Zero Strategic carbon footprint and associated climate goals, please review the below resources:

Net Zero Strategic Plan – Summary
Net Zero Strategic Plan – Full report
Net Zero Strategic Plan – Technical appendix
Annual summit recording, January 2022