SYNETIQ makes further progress to manage its environmental impact

• Company invests in carbon projects in the UK, Turkey and India to complement its robust decarbonisation plans.
• The projects, including a UK-based woodland restoration project making up 50% of the total carbon credits purchased and 2 renewable energy projects in Turkey and India (making up 30% and 20% of the business’ total purchased carbon credits, respectively), have been carefully selected to achieve a number of aims contributing to clean and green development in other parts of the world.

As outlined in its sustainability report, SYNETIQ, an IAA company, continues to make progress in reducing its environmental impact, following business-wide initiatives to reduce CO₂ emissions and decarbonise its operations.

Working in collaboration with Highland Carbon, specialists in carbon market solutions for climate action, SYNETIQ is financing projects both in the UK and internationally which are avoiding CO₂ emissions to the atmosphere now, or helping to store carbon in new forests, while supporting the transition to a low-carbon global economy.

SYNETIQ uses the projects to complement — not substitute for — its long-term decarbonisation plans, which include switching to renewable energy, electrifying transport and cutting energy use across its estate.

“We’re pleased to announce the issuance of carbon credits from programmes in the UK and internationally as we explore all possible measures to reduce and avoid our emissions and impact on the planet,” said Tom Rumboll, UK Managing Director for IAA and CEO of SYNETIQ. “These projects complement our carbon reduction strategies around transitioning to low-carbon transport and estate, investing in renewable energy and improving our circularity and waste management.”

Carbon offsetting can be controversial, with businesses under increasing scrutiny for relying on offsetting as a means to substitute other climate change mitigation measures. “SYNETIQ are committed to the meaningful decarbonisation of our business and will not be using these carbon credits to simply ‘offset’ our emissions, but rather to diversify our comprehensive decarbonisation plans,” clarifies Elisa Caton, SYNETIQ’s Sustainability Manager.

“High-quality carbon projects like these provide the financing necessary to ensure governments and local communities keep their forests standing and develop sustainable fuel alternatives to fossil fuel use. We recognise that we have a responsibility not only to reduce our impact on the planet now but also for our historic emissions, and we hope that this investment goes someway to demonstrating our holistic commitment to our shared environment,” Caton continued.

In the UK, SYNETIQ’s afforestation project on Corriegarth Estate near Loch Ness, Scotland, entails the establishment of a diverse, native forest. Expanding on the existing woodland on the estate with forest planting comprising a diverse range of tree species, the project also supports biodiversity in the area, being home to red squirrels, pine martens, golden eagles, goldcrest and more. Verified by the Woodland Carbon Code scheme, the project represents 25% of the business’ Scope 1 and 2 emissions from 2021.

Representing 15% of SYNETIQ’s Scope 1 and 2 emissions from 2021, the Sah wind power project is based in the Bandirma district of Balikesir and the Karacabey district of Bursa in Turkey and is verified by the independent and internationally recognised Gold Standard verification scheme.

SYNETIQ’s second international carbon project is the Sheopur solar power project, located in Madhya Pradesh, India. The project is a cleaner means for power generation, avoiding fossil fuel-based thermal power generation, positively contributing towards the reduction in demand for India’s carbon-intensive energy resources. It represents 10% of the business’ Scope 1 and 2 emissions from 2021 and is verified by the UN Clean Development Mechanism scheme.

Learn more about sustainability at SYNETIQ: https://www.synetiq.co.uk/sustainability/

About SYNETIQ

SYNETIQ Ltd., the UK-based business unit of IAA Holdings, LLC (IAA), an RB Global, Inc. company, is the leading integrated salvage, dismantling and vehicle recycling company in the UK, formed to become the most innovative and trusted business in the industry. An integrated, data-driven and innovative business, SYNETIQ has led the way in raising industry standards and continually innovates ways of working to deliver great value, ensure complete compliance and a provide a positive experience. SYNETIQ is proud to have major household names in its portfolio, including insurers, accident management companies, fleets, police forces, logistics companies, vehicle repair body shops, and remanufacturers. With cutting-edge data and software solutions, multiple sites, a specialist vehicle recovery fleet and over 800 dedicated UK-based employees, customers and clients trust SYNETIQ to create bespoke solutions to deliver the maximum benefit for their business. For more information about SYNETIQ visit SYNETIQ.co.uk.

Forward-Looking Statements

IAA Holdings, LLC (as successor to IAA, Inc.) (“IAA”), a leading global digital marketplace connecting vehicle buyers and sellers, is now a subsidiary of Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated.  This release includes forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements may include statements relating to future events and anticipated results of operations, business strategies, the expected timing and associated benefits with respect to SYNETIQ’s investment in carbon projects in the UK, Turkey and India, as well as its overall decarbonisation plans and efforts, the predicted benefits of the same, and other subjects of this release on our business and plans regarding our growth strategies, and to our customers and company generally, and other aspects of RBA’s or IAA’s respective businesses, operations, financial condition or operating results and other statements that are not historical facts. 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