California’s ACI Jet has achieved a major milestone in its sustainability journey, by securing high-quality certified carbon credits from the voluntary carbon market to offset over 1,600 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from its operations in the prior year. This investment underscores the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship, aligning its operations with long-term sustainability goals.

After a rigorous evaluation conducted in collaboration with sustainability consulting firm Bridge House Advisors, ACI Jet has calculated its Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions for the previous year. These emissions included direct emissions from company-controlled sources and indirect emissions from purchased energy, totalling just over 1,600 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents.

Recognising the importance of reducing its environmental impact, ACI Jet partnered with ClimeCo, a global environmental solutions company, to identify and fund projects with significant, measurable benefits. This approach ensures the company’s investment supports impactful solutions aligned with global sustainability standards.

“Our efforts are more than just offsetting emissions; they represent our commitment to embedding sustainability into the core of our operations,” says Bill Borgsmiller, CEO of ACI Jet. “As stewards of the communities who welcome ACI Jet onto their airfields, we see carbon offsetting as a practical and meaningful way to reduce our environmental footprint.”

The carbon credits purchased by ACI Jet will support two innovative projects that target critical areas of greenhouse gas emissions reduction: the Crow Lake Wind Emissions Reduction Project; and the Phlogiston Phase I N₂O Abatement Project.

To offset the remaining 1,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, ACI Jet invested in this highly impactful project targeting N₂O emissions from nylon manufacturing. With a global warming potential 265 times greater than CO₂, N₂O is a critical greenhouse gas to address. This project ensures these emissions are destroyed before they reach the atmosphere, making a significant contribution to climate change mitigation.

In line with its commitment to sustainability, ACI Jet exceeded its calculated offset requirements by 10 per cent, rounding contributions to the nearest 100 metric tons to account for any assumptions or data gaps in reporting. The company is also advancing its internal practices, including improving Scope 1 and Scope 2 data gathering methodologies and developing real-time analytics to track emissions and make informed adjustments.

“We anticipate the integration of carbon offsetting into our broader sustainability initiatives will inspire even more meaningful changes across our operations,” continues Borgsmiller. “These investments demonstrate our proactive approach to addressing greenhouse gas emissions while continuing to serve our clients and communities responsibly.”

Understanding and addressing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions is a critical part of any sustainability strategy. While Scope 1 emissions include direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the organisation, such as fuel combustion in company-owned vehicles and equipment, Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy, such as electricity. These categories provide a framework for tracking and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in California’s San Luis Obispo, ACI Jet’s services include fixed-base operations, aircraft maintenance, charter and management.