ASLA Center Assessments

Measuring and Reporting Our Impact

ASLA 2024 Business Operations Assessment +

ASLA released its second annual assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from its operations. In 2024, the organization reached its goal of reducing emissions by 20 percent from 2023 levels and continues to work toward zero emissions by 2040.

The 2024 assessment measures emissions from electricity use, magazine printing and shipping, business travel, employee commuting, waste, and more. The total emissions were 257 metric tonnes, down from 320.5 tonnes in 2023.

The assessment was developed with Honeycomb Strategies, a sustainability consulting company. ASLA and Honeycomb collected detailed data on:

• Monthly business travel and commuting

• Energy use and waste from the ASLA Center for Landscape Architecture (LEED Platinum- and WELL Gold-certified)

• Printing, shipping, and online use for Landscape Architecture Magazine (LAM)

Emissions by Scope

• Scope 1 (Direct emissions): 0 tonnes

• Scope 2 (Indirect emissions from electricity): 34.4 tonnes

• Scope 3 (Other indirect emissions, including travel and purchased goods): 222 tonnes

Of the total 257 tonnes:

• ASLA Center: 74 tonnes (29%)

• LAM: 183 tonnes (71%)

Top Sources of Emissions

Category	2023	2024	Reduction %
LAM print magazine distribution	112 t	104 t	7%
LAM printing	71 t	65 t	8%
ASLA Center electricity	52 t	34 t	19%
Business travel	37 t	17 t	54%
Employee commuting	28 t	8 t	71%
LAM digital user computer use	13 t	13 t	0%
ASLA.org user computer use	12 t	9 t	25%
LA Bash student conference	10 t	3 t	70%
Center waste	1 t	1 t	0%
Center meals	0.5 t	0.5 t	0%

Magazine Sustainability Practices

LAM tracks emissions from both print and digital content. To reduce its impact, the magazine:

• Uses Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified paper with at least 10% post-consumer recycled content

• Works with partners who report and track energy use and carbon impact

• Requests detailed emissions data to encourage transparency and efficiency in the printing supply chain

Print magazine emissions are calculated using: weight of each issue, number of issues mailed, and distribution locations.

ASLA Center Operations

Energy Use:

• The Center used 112,827 kWh of electricity (8.9 kWh per square foot), below the national office average of 16.9 kWh per square foot, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

• Purchasing renewable energy credits cut energy-related emissions by 19% from 2023

Travel:

• Staff commuted 2,761 times, covering 55,700 miles

  • 40% by car (down from 69% in 2023)

  • 52% by public transit (up from 27%)

  • 6% by walking or biking (up from 4%)

• Business travel: 90,000 miles, 92% by plane (down from 95%)

Waste:

• Total waste: 7,280 pounds

  • 71% sent to landfill

  • 29% recycled

Digital Emissions:

• Based on number of users, time spent reading online content, and user energy use

2024 Actions to Reduce Emissions

• Purchased 100% renewable energy for the ASLA Center

• Promoted low-carbon commuting: biking, walking, public transit, and carpooling

• Encouraged train travel for trips under 250 miles

• Reduced complimentary industry partner LAM subscriptions by 60%

• Partnered with suppliers using renewable energy, energy efficiency programs, and sustainability assessments

Employee Incentives and Facilities:

• Added bike parking and encouraged EV charging options

• Offered locally sourced and mostly vegetarian meals for events

• Continued to refine travel and commuting policies

ASLA 2023 Business Operations Assessment +

In 2023, ASLA collected baseline data on greenhouse gas emissions from its operations, including headquarters energy use, staff commuting and business travel, magazine production, and events. The total emissions were 320.5 metric tonnes. This sets a starting point as ASLA works toward its goal of zero emissions by 2040. The first annual report was published in 2024.

The assessment was created with Honeycomb Strategies, a sustainability consulting firm. Together, ASLA and Honeycomb collected detailed data, including:

• Monthly business travel and commuting

• Energy use and waste at the ASLA Center for Landscape Architecture, a LEED Platinum- and WELL Gold-certified building

• Printing, shipping, and online use of Landscape Architecture Magazine (LAM)

Emissions by Category

Scope 1 – Direct emissions: 0 tonnes
Scope 2 – Indirect emissions from purchased electricity: 52 tonnes
Scope 3 – Indirect emissions from other goods, services, and travel: 268.5 tonnes

Of the total 320.5 tonnes:

• ASLA Center: 124.5 tonnes (39%)

• LAM: 196 tonnes (61%)

Top sources of emissions:

• LAM print magazine distribution: 112 tonnes

• LAM printing: 71 tonnes

• ASLA Center electricity use: 52 tonnes

• Business travel: 26 tonnes

• Employee commuting: 22 tonnes

• LAM digital use: 13 tonnes

• ASLA.org user computer use: 12 tonnes

• LA Bash student conference: 10 tonnes

• ASLA Center waste: 1 tonne

• ASLA Center meals: 0.5 tonnes

Magazine Sustainability Practices

LAM tracks emissions from both print and digital content. To reduce its impact, the magazine:

• Uses Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified paper with at least 10% post-consumer recycled content

• Works with partners who report and track energy use and carbon impact

• Requests detailed emissions data to encourage transparency and efficiency in the printing supply chain

Print magazine emissions are calculated using: weight of each issue, number of issues mailed, and distribution locations.

ASLA Center Operations

Emissions calculations for the headquarters include electricity, staff commuting, and business travel.

• Electricity use: 170,000 kWh (13.4 kWh per square foot), below the U.S. office average of 16.9 kWh per square foot

• Staff commuting: 3,882 trips covering 105,000 miles

  • 69% by car

  • 27% by public transit

  • 4% walking or biking

• Business travel: 228,000 miles (96% by plane)

• Waste: 7,280 pounds (71% landfill, 29% recycled)

Digital Emissions

LAM digital and ASLA.org website emissions are based on:

• Number of users

• Time spent reading content

• Energy use of users’ computers at home or office

Sustainability Assessment Methodology +

Each year, ASLA will update its carbon calculation methodologies to reflect the latest data, scientific advancements, and evolving regulations, ensuring accurate and standardized greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting across industries and regions. These updates incorporate changes in energy use, fuel types, industry practices, and technological advancements.

By regularly updating these co-efficients, regulatory bodies ensure that carbon calculations remain accurate, reflecting shifts in carbon intensity, energy efficiency, and technological innovations. Globally, this process is overseen by national and international regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the European Environment Agency (EEA), and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). For example, the EPA’s eGRID database is updated annually with the latest emission factors for electricity generation in the U.S. while the EEA provides carbon co-efficients for EU member states based on energy consumption and grid performance data. Through its GHG Inventory Guidelines, the IPCC offers a global framework with standardized emission factors that countries around the world use to align their carbon calculations with the latest science.

Businesses and governments use these updated emission factors to meet regulatory compliance and international climate goals, such as those outlined in the Paris Agreement.