Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG)
Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG)
At Avis Budget Group, we’re committed to continue advancing our environmental, social & governance (ESG) strategies to truly play a leading role in the transition to a sustainable economy and a more just, fair and equal workplace and society.
Message from our President & CEO
Over the past several years, and in 2022, we set a new standard for what excellence means at Avis Budget Group (ABG).
We continue to strengthen our environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies, make progress on our 2030 targets, and further integrate and execute on our ESG program. Our executive-led ESG Steering Committee and Environmental Subcommittee, comprised of global leaders throughout the company, are integral to supporting and driving our future progress.
Supporting the Transition to a Low-Carbon Future
As a provider of global transportation solutions, ABG is focused on supporting the transition to a low-carbon future. We believe the road to electrification rests on a foundation of charging infrastructure, and that an optimal charging framework is a necessary condition to support our growing global fleet of electric vehicles (EVs).
Integrating Electric Vehicles
To fully integrate EVs into ABG’s business, the company developed a three-pronged approach focused on the customer journey, infrastructure, and technology. Earlier this year, we partnered with SK Group’s EverCharge, a leading provider of large-scale charging devices and systems, to launch a significant number of EV charging stations at the George Bush International Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas. These stations will power our fleet of EVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) that are available for rent at the airport. Over the coming years, we will continue to add to our global low-carbon fleet at scale, while also supporting the necessary infrastructure for these vehicles.
Beyond our fleet, we are also investing in renewable energy and evaluating opportunities to increase efficiencies and reduce energy, water, and waste at our facilities.
Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At ABG, we are proud to foster a culture of inclusion, while continuing to work toward change internally and within our communities. Through our #PowerofDIFFERENT strategy, we focus on education to build awareness and foster an equitable and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. To support these efforts, we launched the #PowerofDIFFERENT Scholarship Program to provide employees from different backgrounds the opportunity to further their education and advance their careers. We also aim to support diversity beyond the four walls of our company. Since 2021, we have invested over $5 billion with diverse suppliers.
Looking Ahead
I am incredibly proud of our ~24,500 employees who continue to bring their best, day in and day out. Their focus and dedication drives our success. In this Report, we invite you to read about our ESG progress and learn more about how we are moving the future of transportation forward.
Diversity,
Equity & Inclusion
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Avis Budget Group (ABG) embraces and promotes diversity and inclusion within the company’s workforce, consumer base, communities, and supply chain. We value each employee, whose talent, skills, and personality has helped to establish the company as a provider of global transportation solutions.
Diversity in the Workplace Target
By 2030, ABG aims to maintain at least 50% diversity in the company’s workforce. 65% of the company’s U.S. workforce is diverse.
Gender Pay Equity
Gender pay equity is an integral part of ABG’s diversity and inclusion strategy. The company maintains global compensation programs and policies to drive pay equity through standardized reward programs across all countries. An established global bonus program provides equal incentive pay opportunities for all employees in the same or similar positions around the world; and the company uses global guidelines and standards to make compensation decisions for all new employees and promotions.
For all managers, ABG evaluates base salary placements relative to internal salary ranges, regardless of gender. For our frontline, hourly workforce (non-management employees), all employees begin at the same start rate based on their location and position, and the company applies annual pay increases based on tenure.
Supporting Our
Veterans and
Military Families
Supporting Our
Veterans and
Military Families
Avis Budget Group is a long-standing winner of the Military Friendly® Employer and a Military Friendly® Spouse Employer awards
Our recruiters have the skills necessary to understand and recruit veterans. We have developed bespoke training modules as part of our learning journey and each recruiter has a veteran hiring goal. We also participate in Veteran Recruiting Career Fairs, including virtual fairs, showcasing roles well suited to vets’ skills, interacting with attendees one-to-one, and encouraging them to apply for a role within our company. Our many Veteran organization partners throughout the US and Canada also provide a steady stream of highly qualified candidates who bring their unique and valued backgrounds to our company.
Supplier Diversity
ABG is an industry leader in supporting diverse suppliers and investing into Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs). The company continues to be recognized as one of America’s Top Corporations for MWBEs by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) – the only vehicle rental company to earn a spot on the annual listing since 1999.
ABG has been an active member of the exclusive Billion Dollar Roundtable (BDR) since 2009, with the continued distinction as the only vehicle rental company representative from the travel industry. BDR mandates that all corporate inductees spend at least one billion dollars annually with certified minority and women-owned businesses on a first-tier basis.
Health,
Safety &
Well-being
Health, Safety & Well-being
The health and safety of ABG’s employees, customers, suppliers, and communities is one of our highest priorities. As such, the company is committed to implementing policies, procedures, and trainings to mitigate safety risks and maintain a healthy and safe work environment. To execute on this commitment, ABG encourages managers and employees to participate in safety meetings and regular workplace inspections.
Well-Being
Well-Being
At Avis Budget Group we take a holistic approach to well-being. We understand that to deliver our best performance, our employees need to be healthy and happy in all areas of their lives. Our Live Well program focuses on helping our people achieve all aspects of well-being through habits and activities that promote physical, financial and emotional well-being. Read more in the full report >
Physical
In addition to our health plans, we offer a number of other ways for employees and their families to get and stay physically healthy.
Financial
Avis Budget Group offers employees access to financial consultation for matters such as reducing debt and retirement planning.
Emotional
We are seeking to break down the barriers around mental health by providing employees not only with services to mitigate mental distress, but also to provide them with the tools to recognize warning signs in themselves and others.
Development and Engagement
At ABG, our people are our strength, fueling our purpose-driven performance.
Through our employee engagement and development programs, we are committed to listening, inspiring, and advocating for our employees’ future success.
Read more about employee development and engagement in the report.
Environmental
Responsibility
Environmental Responsibility
As a responsible corporate citizen, Avis Budget Group is committed to monitoring, measuring and managing our environmental impact, and working to reduce it where practicable on an ongoing basis. This enables us to meet customer expectations while building a resilient business for generations to come.
Our Environmental Footprint
Carbon Offset Program
At Avis Budget Group, we are committed to helping educate both consumers and travel professionals on their environmental impact from rental car use and on how that can be reduced. We also work closely with our corporate customers to help them achieve their environmental impact reduction targets.
We also offer our customers a wide range of solutions to reduce the environmental impact from their car rentals including:
We have created a list of tips and a video on smart and safe driving habits that is available to the public on our website. The tips promote road safety and fuel efficiency techniques which help lower fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Electronic toll collection services are offered to our customers in North America and parts of Europe. Studies show that paying for tolls electronically significantly reduce or eliminate idling and traffic back-ups at toll booths, and thus reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
For every Zipcar on the road, 13 personally owned vehicles are eliminated from the street, and members report reducing their yearly vehicle miles traveled by focusing on purpose driven trips. Car-sharing members reduce their carbon footprint by up to 1,600 pounds per year.
ABG continues to provide customers with a wide range of low-emissions vehicles, globally. On average, there are more than 45,000 hybrid and electric vehicles in the company’s global fleet. In Scandinavia, 60% of the company’s fleet is either hybrid or electric, with Norway operating a rental fleet of 55% battery and plug-in electric vehicles.
Through carbon offset credits, we offer our corporate customers the option to help make their car rental program 100% carbon neutral. Carbon offset credits are created through projects that remove or reduce greenhouse gas emissions in various ways such as renewable energy generation, energy efficiency and reforestation programs.
Carbon Footprint Calculations are available for corporate customers. We partner to calculate their business travel impacts and meet their emissions goals. Our emissions calculator is used to determine a benchmark and track emissions reductions over time. The calculator can drill down information by car class, miles driven, by country or globally over any particular time period.
Promoting Low-Carbon and Accessible Transportation
More than 10 years ago, ABG acquired the Zipcar brand. Since then, we have continued to use the car-sharing network to enable simple and responsible urban living, while eliminating the need for personal cars. As of year-end 2022, Zipcar’s North American fleet consisted of more than 30 EVs and nearly 500 hybrid vehicles.
The Future of Transportation
Avis Budget Group (ABG) actively anticipates and responds to changes in transportation around the globe. As connected and autonomous vehicles become increasingly more common, ABG aims to enhance the company’s core capabilities, including data intelligence and technology to develop new lines of business. The company’s long-term investments in connectivity, mobile digital user experience, and new technology partnerships help position ABG for future growth in an evolving transportation world.
Giving
Back
Giving Back
We are a global company with local reach in hundreds of communities around the world. Our family-friendly values are truly demonstrated by the many hours our employees volunteer to care for the needs of our communities. Whether we work individually or as a team, doing the right thing and supporting our communities helps employees see their work as more than a job and make them feel proud to be part of the Avis Budget Group family.
Social Partnerships and Collaborations
We are a national sponsor of Make-A-Wish, providing both financial and in-kind support to help grant the wishes of children with critical illnesses.
As a corporate sponsor of R U Ok?, our funds support their school- based programs which educate kids about the signs of depression and anxiety.
We are a partner of Susan G. Komen in its fight to end breast cancer. Susan G. Komen is the only organization that addresses breast cancer on multiple fronts, including research, community health, global outreach, and public policy initiatives, in order to make the biggest impact toward eradicating this disease.
Since 2021, we have sponsored Toys for Tots by providing both financial and in-kind support to brighten the holidays of children around the U.S. Toys for Tots was started in 1947 by Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks. As a top-rated charity, more than 97 percent of donations go directly to providing toys, books, and other gifts to less fortunate children.
Safe Sustainable, and Equitable Transportation
Avis Budget Group’s (ABG) environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy is an extension of the company’s commitment to move the future of transportation forward. This includes supporting a world where transportation is completely connected, and operating our business in a way that is safe, sustainable, and equitable.
Reports and Statements
2022 UK GENDER PAY GAP REPORT
Policies and Additional Information
A Company Committed To Our Business… And Yours
Increased purchases from diverse suppliers enhance Avis and Budget’s supply chain and assist in meeting and exceeding our customer’s expectations at on-airport locations and for major corporate customers.
As such, the company has established a Disadvantaged, Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise Program to promote the growth and development of diversified suppliers. Within the scope of this program, employees should channel business opportunities to minority and women-owned business enterprises whenever the opportunity arises to procure goods and services from an outside supplier. Helping these entrepreneurs move quickly into the mainstream of the economy strengthens the diverse business community economically and Avis Budget Group takes pride in contributing to the overall economic growth of the communities where we do business.
Our Mission
Our program is intended to assure that disadvantaged, minority and women-owned Business Enterprises will have the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in Avis Budget Group’s contract awards.
For more information on how to participate or to register online with Avis Budget Group, please click here.
How does Avis Budget Group handle vehicles that have been recalled by the manufacturer?
At Avis Budget Group, the safety of our customers and employees is of great concern. Our policies and procedures regarding the handling of vehicles that are the subject of a manufacturer’s recall notice is a prime example of how we put our customers’ safety first.
Periodically, automobile manufacturers provide notices of issues relating to their vehicles. These notices range from minor issues to recall notices relating to vehicles that may pose a risk to the safety of the driver, passengers and the general public.
In the United States, when we receive a safety recall notice from a vehicle manufacturer under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, we identify the affected vehicles in our fleet and place them on a “hard hold” in our reservations system, which prevents them from being rented. We then do not rent these a vehicle until we are able to implement a remedy that has been approved by the manufacturer and the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA).
In addition, when our vehicles become subject to a safety recall, we use a third-party vendor that automatically calls customers within 24 hours when we have confirmed that the vehicle they have out on rent has been recalled. This process is used to contact all customers who have provided a telephone number and/or email address during the reservation or check-in process through which the customer can be reached. Each customer who has rented a vehicle that is subsequently subject to a recall will receive a message providing specific instructions as to how, where and when the vehicle may be returned for an exchange. If no valid telephone number has been provided, a written notice will be sent to the renter’s residential address.
Accommodations are available upon request for applicants and employees who are eligible under the Americans with Disabilities Act by calling 1-844-710-4748 or emailing Hr4uSupport@avisbudget.com.
Avis Budget Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.