Businesses Uniting to Guarantee Sustainability (B.U.G.S.) launched the second edition of the Pest Management Industry Sustainability Guidelines at the annual conference of the Federation of Asian and Oceania Pest Management Associations (FAOPMA) which was held in Penang, Malaysia from July 14-16, 2025.
These guidelines are designed to help pest control businesses meet the growing expectations of corporate clients and remain competitive in an economy shifting rapidly toward carbon neutrality.
As major corporations and governments commit to net-zero emissions, service providers, including pest management companies, are increasingly required to demonstrate measurable environmental credentials as part of procurement processes. These updated guidelines offer a clear, practical framework for pest control businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and align with their clients’ sustainability targets.
“Sustainability is no longer a fringe concern—it is a core business requirement,” said Stephen Doggett, chief editor and chair of B.U.G.S., said “Organisations seeking pest control services now ask: ‘What are your emissions? Do you align with our Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) goals?’ If companies want to retain contracts and win new business, they need answers.”
The second edition of the guidelines provides a comprehensive roadmap, including:
- How to prepare for mandatory climate disclosures
- Measuring and reporting emissions across Scope 1, 2 and 3 as defined by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol
- Sustainable procurement and supplier compliance
- Transitioning fleets and buildings to low-carbon operations
- Avoiding greenwashing and supporting genuine ESG alignment
- Achieving competitive advantage through verified sustainability practices
Already, leading firms such as Rentokil Initial are reporting their environmental impacts. As expectations around procurement shift, these guidelines position pest management companies to respond proactively, ensuring contract eligibility, client retention and long-term viability.
The guidelines can be downloaded from here.
