Our Commitment to Sustainability

Property Restoration: A Fundamentally Sustainable Profession

Why It Matters to Us

At GUS, sustainability is more than just a goal: it’s at the very heart of what we do.

As the largest network of disaster restoration professionals in Canada, our mission is built around restoring what might otherwise be demolished or discarded. Every day, we bring homes, businesses, and cherished belongings back to life. From memory-filled furniture to meaningful clothing and vibrant living spaces, we help reduce waste and minimize the environmental impact of disasters.

Over the past few years, the effects of climate change have become impossible to ignore: think of the torrential rains or the uncontrollable wildfires we’ve all witnessed recently. As a company on the front lines of these events, we feel a deep responsibility to act. We firmly believe that each of us, in our own way, can help build a more resilient and sustainable future.

With this in mind, GUS has had its near-term greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets officially validated by the international Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). This means we are actively committed to reducing our carbon footprint based on the best available science. Our aim is not only to meet science-based targets, but also to promote sustainable practices across our entire network.

This isn’t just a strategic direction: it’s a core value guiding both our long-term vision and our day-to-day actions.

What is the SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative)?

The Science Based Targets initiative is one of the world’s most recognized organizations supporting and coordinating corporate climate action. Emissions reduction targets are considered “science-based” when they align with the level of decarbonization required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Founded in 2015, the SBTi was created by the World Resources Institute, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the United Nations Global Compact, and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP).

Our Target

In April 2025, our near-term reduction target was officially approved by the SBTi, confirming that it aligns with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. We have committed to reducing our absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 58.8% by 2034, using 2023 as our base year, and to measuring and reducing our Scope 3 emissions as well.

The three categories of emissions

Scope 1

Direct emissions from the use of vehicles and equipment.

Scope 2

Indirect emissions from electricity and heating consumption.

Scope 3

All other indirect emissions from across our value chain, such as materials used, business travel, suppliers, or waste.

Concrete actions with meaningful impact

1. Electrifying Our Fleet for More Responsible Travel

Our vehicles are essential to our operations — from site visits and partner meetings to regional coordination. To reduce the environmental impact of travel, we’ve begun a transition toward electrification.

Our commitments:

Gradually replace gas-powered vehicles with hybrid or fully electric models.
Prioritize low-emission options when renewing our fleet.
Install charging stations at key locations.
Educate our teams on best practices in sustainable mobility.

2. Improving Energy and Heating Efficiency

Reducing our footprint also means optimizing energy use across our buildings and facilities (Scope 2). Whether in offices, warehouses, or decontamination workshops every kilowatt counts.

Ongoing and upcoming actions:

Upgrading lighting systems to high-efficiency LED solutions.
Installing smart thermostats and tracking energy usage.
Assessing the feasibility of using renewable energy sources.
Preventive maintenance and optimization of HVAC systems.
Installing energy-efficient EV charging stations to optimize electricity use for vehicle charging
Educate our teams on energy saving habits and establishing policies for efficient EV use

3. Supporting Our Franchisees in Lowering Their Emissions

Our network is large, dynamic, and rooted across the country. To make a real difference, we need to move forward together.
This is why we will implement a practical and accessible support program for our franchisees.

It includes:

Practical tools to measure and reduce their carbon footprint.
Support promoting on-site drying and practices to reduce construction waste.
Advanced technologies that enable data collection to reduce travel to job sites.
Simple guides to identify ”quick wins”: optimizing travel, adopting eco-friendly products, improving energy efficiency in facilities, etc.
Training, webinars, and exchanges of best practices among franchisees.
Annual rewards for the most outstanding initiatives.

Together Toward a More Sustainable Future

At GUS, every action matters. Our climate journey is just beginning, but it is grounded in a deep belief: that together, we can build a future that’s more resilient, more responsible, and more human.