Counselor Top 40 distributor Overture Promotions (asi/288473) reduced its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 6% in 2023 and planted more than 63,000 trees through its partnership with Ecologi.

Those are two of the highlights in the Waukegan, IL-based company’s recently released environmental, social and governance (ESG) report.

Overture Promotions (asi/288473) has released its 2023 ESG report.

“Overture remains steadfast in our commitment to measurable, year-over-year improvements,” said Jo Gilley, CEO and a member of Counselor’s Power 50 list of the most important people in promo. “As we look ahead, the focus will be on enhanced transparency and deepening impact across all our ESG pillars.”

Other notable achievements from 2023 include recycling 112 tons of corrugated material and offsetting 467.87 metric tons of CO₂ through the UPS carbon neutral shipping program. Overture said it also invested in staff diversity, with 80% of its 2023 hires identifying as diverse, and expanded its training programs by launching the Overture Women Leaders training and mentoring initiative.

Last year, Overture earned a Silver rating from EcoVadis, a globally recognized assessment platform that rates businesses’ sustainability based on four key categories: environmental impact, labor and human rights standards, ethics, and procurement practices.

In addition to reducing its Scope 1 and 2 emissions – those emissions that come from sources a company controls or indirectly from the purchase of energy – Overture said it reduced carbon intensity by 14% in 2023. Carbon intensity refers to the amount of CO₂ emitted per unit of economic activity, essentially measuring energy efficiency.

Among its environmentally focused investments into its headquarters are an automated screen-print reclamation system, two water bottle refill stations and smart LED lighting. Earlier this year, the distributor hired Andrew Kelly to a newly created ESG compliance specialist role.

Giving back to the community was also a priority for Overture, which said it supported 16 nonprofit organizations in 2023 through donations, volunteer efforts and event sponsorships. The company was recognized for its efforts with a Community Ambassador Award from A Safe Place, a local domestic violence shelter that Overture has been partnering with for five years. In addition, Overture Promotions received the Diversity Champion Award from the Lake County Juneteenth Commission.

For 2024, Overture’s plans include achieving GRI-compliant sustainability reporting and conducting a comprehensive materiality assessment to better address and report on critical topics.

“Overture’s 2023 achievements are a testament to our sustainability commitments and our role as a positive force in the community,” Kelly said. “Looking ahead, I am extremely excited about the progress we have planned for 2024 and beyond as we address our most material issues and launch new initiatives.”

A certified minority-owned and woman-led distributor, Overture Promotions ranked 23^rd on Counselor’s most recent list of the Top 40 distributors in the industry, with 2023 North American promotional products revenue of $122 million.

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