With more than a decade at Cox Enterprises, including leadership roles in IT and Advisory & Assurance, Amit brings deep expertise in sustainability and a passion for driving positive environmental impact.
Today, he’s guiding our enterprisewide strategy to protect the planet while supporting long-term business goals. Through innovative operations, strategic partnerships and infrastructure investments, Cox is setting new benchmarks in corporate sustainability.
In this Q&A, Amit shares insights about our updated goals — and how individual actions can spark lasting change.
Q. WHY WAS IT IMPORTANT FOR COX CONSERVES TO CREATE NEW GOALS?
The sustainability landscape is changing — and so are our businesses. We needed goals that reflect that evolution. As we set about this task, we identified a number of guiding principles: materiality, relevance, science alignment, market awareness, pragmatism and achievability.
We studied the 2015 Paris Agreement and the Planetary Boundaries model, which is a scientific framework that defines a “safe operating space” for humanity to avoid irreversible environmental damage. We also benchmarked against leading companies and industry peers.
Most importantly, we looked inward — at our own impacts and dependencies. It was a huge undertaking that required a lot of research, analysis and self-reflection.
Q. WHAT DO THE NEW GOALS MEAN FOR OUR JOURNEY TO BECOME A MORE SUSTAINABLE COMPANY?
Our updated goals reflect how our businesses interact with the natural world — and how we can lead with purpose. We built a framework around four areas:
Carbon & Climate: We aim to be carbon net zero.
Water: We plan to restore and conserve more water than we use.
Circularity & Waste: We intend to maintain our zero-waste business status — even as we grow.
Habitat & Species: We’ll protect, restore or sustainably manage more land than we use.
Q. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS?
We’ve set big, aggressive, ambitious goals, and it’s going to take all of us to achieve them. We’ve created models and pathways to reach our 2034 targets and 2050 ambitions, but those are just starting points. We must be flexible and adaptable.
Technology and innovation will be key — some of what we will need hasn’t been invented yet. Fortunately, our company puts its money where its mouth is and invests in early-stage companies and incubation programs that drive impact. Most importantly, we must stay hyper-connected with our teams on opportunities, challenges, roadblocks and left turns, because that’s all going to be part of the journey.
Q. KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL APPOINTED YOU TO ITS NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS. HOW DOES ITS MISSION ALIGN WITH OUR VALUES AND GOALS?
I’m so honored to be a part of the Keep America Beautiful board and support its mission to inspire people to take action to improve and beautify their communities. Cox and Keep America Beautiful are like-minded in our commitment to sustainability and civic engagement.
Cox wants to be a good steward of the planet — but this work requires collective participation. We must share a compelling story and inspire everyone to take action in their own communities. Keep America Beautiful aligns perfectly with our mission to Empower People Today to Build a Better Future for the Next Generation.
Q. WHAT INSPIRES YOU ABOUT LEADING COX CONSERVES ON ITS JOURNEY TO SUSTAINABILITY?
This role is both a personal and a professional passion. Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been captivated by the environment. Now, I think about my kids, my grandchildren and future generations. I want them to be able to experience the magic and delight of all the amazing places on earth. I truly fear if things don’t change, they may not get that chance.
We have a massive task ahead of us. But I love trying to solve big, complex challenges and leading impactful teams. I feel like I have one of the best jobs at Cox, where the entire company is working together to leave the world in a better place and save the planet.
