Sustainability is often viewed as an ambitious, all-or-nothing goal. But at Bus Climate Control (BCC), the journey toward a greener future starts with everyday decisions. From optimizing light timers to rethinking shipping materials, BCC is proving that small, purposeful steps can lead to big, measurable change.
Guided by Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, BCC is turning goals into measurable outcomes. With a commitment to reducing carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, these principles are increasingly central to its operations, shaping how BCC builds trust, drives innovation, and complies with global standards for sustainable bus HVAC manufacturing.
BCC began using Position Green, an advanced ESG software platform, in 2021, enabling it and its parent company, VBG Group, to measure, analyze, and act on sustainability data. The Position Green platform gives BCC the tools to transform raw inputs, such as electricity usage or waste metrics, into actionable insights, enabling BCC to streamline operations and target areas for improvement.
BCC’s Daniel Amolsch, Quality and Warranty Manager and a leader in BCC’s sustainability efforts, explains, “Position Green is really taking the requirements we’ve input and presenting them in an effective and actionable way.” Through automation and real-time data integration, Position Green ensures compliance with global sustainability standards, helping BCC focus on meaningful outputs rather than data entry.
BCC’s use of ESG software has led to a series of tangible improvements that all roll up to the company’s commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.
The environmental pillar of ESG is rooted in a long history of industrial evolution, marked by key milestones like Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring in 1962, which sparked the modern environmental movement, and Ray Anderson’s groundbreaking ‘Mission Zero’ initiative in the 1990s. These efforts proved that businesses could integrate sustainability into their operations without compromising profitability.
Today, BCC builds on this legacy by implementing energy-efficient technologies and optimizing waste streams, guided by global regulatory frameworks such as the Paris Agreement, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and standards like ISO 14001. These initiatives emphasize accountability and action in areas such as emissions reductions and resource efficiency, aligning with both BCC’s sustainability priorities and broader global standards.
For example, at its York, Pennsylvania facility, motion-sensitive LED lighting and adaptive HVAC systems respond to room occupancy by adjusting lighting and temperature levels in real-time. When rooms are vacant, lights turn off and HVAC systems reduce energy output, cutting unnecessary consumption and lowering the company’s carbon footprint.
As Amolsch explains, “You don’t have to start with massive undertakings. You can make some big impacts just by doing simple things like turning the dial on a light sensor.”
Additionally, BCC is looking to partner with suppliers to standardize skid sizes and adopt reusable packaging materials. This collaboration would reduce landfill waste while establishing a circular value stream—a manufacturing practice where materials are continuously reused within a production cycle rather than discarded. By keeping resources in circulation, BCC minimizes waste, reduces costs, and contributes to a more sustainable supply chain.
While these “easy wins” alone won’t meet all sustainability targets, they form a crucial foundation for achieving carbon neutrality. By addressing immediate opportunities for improvement, BCC is laying the groundwork for more ambitious future initiatives, proving that small steps can drive significant, lasting change.
The social pillar of ESG emphasizes equity, ethical collaboration, and community empowerment. Originating in the labor rights movements of the 19th and early 20th centuries, the concept of social responsibility evolved alongside industrialization. Early efforts, such as the establishment of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 1919, laid the foundation for modern principles like fair wages, safe working conditions, and workers' rights. Today, these principles extend to include diversity, supply chain ethics, and community engagement as integral aspects of sustainability.
At BCC, social responsibility is more than a set of standards—it’s a partnership-driven approach. By collaborating with suppliers to adopt sustainable practices, ensuring fair treatment and wages for workers across the supply chain, and supporting initiatives that empower local communities, BCC embodies the principles of social equity.
“We’re looking for true partners, people that are going to buy in and walk this path with us,” said Amolsch, highlighting the importance of shared responsibility.
Through Position Green’s ESG software, BCC measures the effectiveness of its social initiatives, ensuring they remain aligned with industry standards. This commitment to transparency and accountability fosters trust, strengthens partnerships, and reinforces BCC’s role as a leader in sustainable manufacturing.
Governance, the backbone of ESG, ensures accountability and transparency. Its modern relevance stems from corporate scandals like Enron, which highlighted the need for ethical oversight. For publicly traded companies like VBG Group, governance also entails meeting sustainability goals with integrity.
“If you want to grow your business… you’ve got to be an active and willing participant to recognize growth and remain relevant,” said Amolsch, who points to strong partnerships with suppliers and others in the business community as holding momentum for positive change.
By aligning operations with global ESG standards and using sustainability data to inform stakeholder decision-making, effective sustainability oversight has become much more accessible for companies like BCC. Through everyday decisions and a steadfast commitment to progress, BCC is showing that small steps can truly lead to big change.