It’s often said that you can’t improve what you don’t measure. That’s why ACC members transparently report data on safety and sustainability performance through Responsible Care®, the chemical industry’s environmental, health, safety and security (EHS&S) performance initiative.
Measuring Our Progress to Enhance Our Performance
ACC's 2024 Sustainability Report
Jenny Heumann Godes
Table of Contents
Reporting performance data not only helps enable performance improvement, but also demonstrates that ACC members are accountable – to their customers, communities and employees.
For more than 20 years, through Responsible Care, ACC member companies have tracked and reported their performance on specific environmental, health and safety metrics:
- Environmental performance, including hazardous air pollutants released, SOx and NOx emissions and water consumed at facilities.
- Energy impacts, including facility energy efficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity.
- Worker and facility safety, including the number and severity of facility safety incidents, transportation incidents and worker injury or illness.
Every year, ACC gathers these data from members and reports the results on ACC’s public website, where users can track industry progress.
Responsible Care®: Driving Safety & Sustainability
250+
Responsible Care companies undergo 3rd party audits
ACC and its members have been committed to sustainability principles for more than 35 years through Responsible Care.
Launched in the U.S. in 1988, Responsible Care is how ACC members drive safety and sustainability, supporting continual improvement and progress in manufacturing operations and the supply chain. At its core, Responsible Care means working every day to protect the health and safety of people and the planet.
Participation in Responsible Care is mandatory for all ACC member companies. As the chemical industry grows, so does Responsible Care – building on progress in product safety and security, engaging with communities and creating new opportunities to make meaningful progress to address our world’s greatest challenges.
Responsible Care also requires ACC member companies to conduct third-party audits to confirm they are meeting program requirements and transparently share progress.
Enhancing Reporting to Meet Future Needs
With increasing interest in safety and sustainability performance, ACC is working to enhance performance reporting. Starting in 2024, ACC members began reporting additional metrics:
Air
Additional air emissions data and air emissions reported to EPA’s Toxic Releases Inventory (TRI).
Climate/Energy
Understanding companies’ renewable energy portfolio and public commitments to reduce GHG emissions/emissions intensity.
Water
Including water withdrawn and water releases reported to EPA’s TRI.
Sustainability Leadership Awards
ACC recognizes members for exemplary achievement in safety and sustainability.
Learn more
Responsible Care Awards
ACC recognizes chemical industry leaders that have made an exceptional commitment to EHS&S performance, sustainability and sound chemicals management.
Learn more