Document:

Performance Undertaking

 Exhibit 10(i)A(23) 
  
 PERFORMANCE UNDERTAKING 
 [ASP] 
  
 THIS PERFORMANCE UNDERTAKING (this “Undertaking”), dated as of September 2, 2003, is executed by Acuity Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Performance Guarantor”) in favor of
Acuity Enterprise, Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with its successors and assigns, “Recipient”). 
  
 RECITALS 
  

	1.	Acuity Specialty Products Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Originator”), and Recipient are parties to a Receivables Sale and Contribution Agreement,
dated as of September 2, 2003 (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Sale and Contribution Agreement”), pursuant to which Originator, subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, is
selling its right, title and interest in its accounts receivable and certain related assets to Recipient. 

  

	2.	Recipient intends to finance its purchases under the Sale and Contribution Agreement in part by borrowing under a Credit and Security Agreement dated as of September 2, 2003 (as the
same may from time to time hereafter be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified, the “Credit and Security Agreement” and, together with the Sale and Contribution Agreement, the
“Agreements”) among Recipient, as Borrower, Acuity Specialty Products Group, Inc. and Acuity Lighting Group, Inc., as initial servicers (in such capacity, collectively, the “Initial Servicers”), Blue
Ridge Asset Funding Corporation (“Blue Ridge”), the banks and other financial institutions from time to time party thereto as “Liquidity Banks” (together with Blue Ridge, the “Lenders”) and
Wachovia Bank, National Association or any successor agent appointed pursuant to the terms of the Credit and Security Agreement, as agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “Agent”). 

  

	3.	Performance Guarantor owns, directly or indirectly, one hundred percent (100%) of the capital stock of Originator, the other Initial Servicer and Recipient, and Originator (and
accordingly, Performance Guarantor) is expected to receive substantial direct and indirect benefits from its sale and contribution of receivables pursuant to the Sale and Contribution Agreement (which benefits are hereby acknowledged).

  

	4.	As an inducement for Recipient to acquire Originator’s accounts receivable pursuant to the Sale and Contribution Agreement, Performance Guarantor has agreed to guaranty (a) the
due and punctual performance by Originator of its obligations under the Sale and Contribution Agreement, and (b) the due and punctual performance by the Initial Servicers of their servicing duties under the Credit and Security Agreement.

  

	5.	Performance Guarantor wishes to guaranty the due and punctual performance by Originator and the Initial Servicers of the aforesaid obligations as provided herein.

 AGREEMENT 
  

NOW, THEREFORE, Performance Guarantor hereby agrees as follows: 
  
 Section 1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall the respective meanings assigned
thereto in the Agreements. In addition: 
  
 “Guaranteed Obligations” means, collectively, (a) all covenants, agreements, terms, conditions and indemnities to be performed and observed by Originator as seller and contributor under the Sale and Contribution
Agreement, including, without limitation, the due and punctual payment of all sums which are or may become due and owing by Originator in its capacity as a seller or seller and contributor under the Sale and Contribution Agreement, whether for fees,
expenses (including actual and reasonable counsel fees), indemnified amounts or otherwise, whether upon any termination or for any other reason, and (b) all Servicing-Related Obligations. 
  
 “Servicing Related Obligations”
means all covenants, agreements, terms, conditions and indemnities to be performed and observed by either or both of the Initial Servicers in their capacities as such under the Credit and Security Agreement. 
  
 Section 2. Guaranty of Performance of Guaranteed Obligations.
Performance Guarantor hereby guarantees to Recipient, the full and punctual payment and performance by Originator and the Initial Servicers of their respective Guaranteed Obligations. This Undertaking is an absolute, unconditional and continuing
guaranty of the full and punctual performance of all Guaranteed Obligations and is in no way conditioned upon any requirement that Recipient first attempt to collect any amounts owing by Originator or either Initial Servicer, as the case may be, to
Recipient, the Agent or Blue Ridge from any other Person or resort to any collateral security, any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books of Recipient, the Agent or Blue Ridge in favor of Originator, either of the Initial Servicers or
any other Person or other means of obtaining payment. Should Originator or either of the Initial Servicers default in the payment or performance of any of its Guaranteed Obligations, Recipient (or its assigns) may cause the immediate performance by
Performance Guarantor of such Guaranteed Obligations and cause any such payment Guaranteed Obligations to become forthwith due and payable to Recipient (or its assigns), without demand or notice of any nature (other than as expressly provided
herein), all of which are hereby expressly waived by Performance Guarantor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Undertaking is not a guarantee of the payment or collection of any of the Receivables or the Loans, and Performance Guarantor shall not
be responsible for any Guaranteed Obligations to the extent the failure to perform such Guaranteed Obligations by Originator or either of the Initial Servicers results from Receivables being uncollectible on account of the insolvency, bankruptcy or
lack of creditworthiness of the related Obligor; provided that nothing herein shall relieve Originator or either of the Initial Servicers from performing in full its Guaranteed Obligations under the Agreements or Performance Guarantor
of its undertaking hereunder with respect to the full performance of such duties. 
  
 Section 3. Performance Guarantor’s Further Agreements to Pay. Performance Guarantor further agrees, as the principal obligor and not as a guarantor only, to pay to Recipient (and its assigns), forthwith
upon demand in funds immediately available to Recipient, all reasonable costs and expenses (including court costs and reasonable legal expenses) actually incurred or expended by Recipient in connection with enforcement of the Guaranteed 

  

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Obligations and/or this Undertaking, together with interest on amounts not paid by Performance Guarantor under this Undertaking within two Business Days
after such amounts become due until payment, at a rate of interest (computed for the actual number of days elapsed based on a 360 day year) equal to the Prime Rate plus 2% per annum, such rate of interest changing when and as the Prime Rate
changes. 
  
 Section 4. Waivers by Performance Guarantor.
Performance Guarantor waives notice of acceptance of this Undertaking, notice of any action taken or omitted by Recipient (or its assigns) in reliance on this Undertaking, and any requirement that Recipient (or its assigns) be diligent or prompt in
making demands under this Undertaking, giving notice of any Termination Event, Amortization Event, other default or omission by Originator or either of the Initial Servicers or asserting any other rights of Recipient under this Undertaking.
Performance Guarantor warrants that it has adequate means to obtain from Originator and each of the Initial Servicers, on a continuing basis, information concerning the financial condition of such Person, and that it is not relying on Recipient to
provide such information, now or in the future. Performance Guarantor also irrevocably waives all defenses (i) that at any time may be available in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations by virtue of any statute of limitations, valuation, stay,
moratorium law or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) that arise under the law of suretyship, including impairment of collateral. Recipient (and its assigns) shall be at liberty, without giving notice to or obtaining the assent of
Performance Guarantor and without relieving Performance Guarantor of any liability under this Undertaking, to deal with Originator and each of the Initial Servicers and with each other party who now is or after the date hereof becomes liable in any
manner for any of the Guaranteed Obligations, in such manner as Recipient in its sole discretion deems fit, and to this end Performance Guarantor agrees that the validity and enforceability of this Undertaking, including without limitation, the
provisions of Section 7 hereof, shall not be impaired or affected by any of the following: (a) any extension, modification or renewal of, or indulgence with respect to, or substitutions for, the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof or any
agreement relating thereto at any time; (b) any failure or omission to enforce any right, power or remedy with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof or any agreement relating thereto, or any collateral securing the Guaranteed
Obligations or any part thereof; (c) any waiver of any right, power or remedy or of any Termination Event, Amortization Event, or default with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof or any agreement relating thereto; (d) any
release, surrender, compromise, settlement, waiver, subordination or modification, with or without consideration, of any other obligation of any person or entity with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof; (e) the enforceability
or validity of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof or the genuineness, enforceability or validity of any agreement relating thereto or with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof; (f) the application of payments
received from any source to the payment of any payment obligations of Originator or either of the Initial Servicers or any part thereof or amounts which are not covered by this Undertaking even though Recipient (or its assigns) might lawfully have
elected to apply such payments to any part or all of the payment obligations of such Person or to amounts which are not covered by this Undertaking; (g) the existence of any claim, setoff or other rights which Performance Guarantor may have at any
time against Originator or either of the Initial Servicers in connection herewith or any unrelated transaction; (h) any assignment or transfer of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof; or (i) any failure on the part of Originator or either
of the Initial Servicers to perform or comply with any term of the Agreements or any other document executed in connection therewith or delivered thereunder, all whether or not Performance Guarantor shall have had notice or knowledge of any act or
omission referred to in the foregoing clauses (a) through (i) of this Section 4. 
  

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 Section 5. Unenforceability of Guaranteed Obligations Against Originator and Initial Servicers.
Notwithstanding (a) any change of ownership of Performance Guarantor, Originator or either of the Initial Servicers or the insolvency, bankruptcy or any other change in the legal status of Originator or either of the Initial Servicers; (b) the
change in or the imposition of any law, decree, regulation or other governmental act which does or might impair, delay or in any way affect the validity, enforceability or the payment when due of the Guaranteed Obligations (unless the same shall be
applicable to the Performance Guarantor); (c) the failure of Originator, either of the Initial Servicers or Performance Guarantor to maintain in full force, validity or effect or to obtain or renew when required all governmental and other approvals,
licenses or consents required in connection with the Guaranteed Obligations or this Undertaking, or to take any other action required in connection with the performance of all obligations pursuant to the Guaranteed Obligations or this Undertaking;
or (d) if any of the moneys included in the Guaranteed Obligations have become irrecoverable from Originator or either of the Initial Servicers for any other reason other than final payment in full of the payment obligations in accordance with their
terms or lawful setoff of claims against the Purchasers, this Undertaking shall nevertheless be binding on Performance Guarantor. This Undertaking shall be in addition to any other guaranty or other security for the Guaranteed Obligations, and it
shall not be rendered unenforceable by the invalidity of any such other guaranty or security. In the event that acceleration of the time for payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of
Originator or either of the Initial Servicers or for any other reason with respect to Originator or either of the Initial Servicers, all such amounts then due and owing with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations under the terms of the Agreements, or
any other agreement evidencing, securing or otherwise executed in connection with the Guaranteed Obligations, shall be immediately due and payable by Performance Guarantor. 
  
 Section 6. Representations and Warranties. Performance Guarantor hereby represents and warrants to Recipient and its
assigns that (a) Performance Guarantor is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware and has all corporate powers and all material governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals
required to carry on its business as now conducted, and (b) this Undertaking has been duly executed and delivered by Performance Guarantor and constitutes its legally valid and binding obligation, enforceable against Performance Guarantor in
accordance with its terms, provided that the enforceability hereof is subject to general principles of equity and to bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general
equitable principles. 
  
 Section 7. Subrogation.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, until the Guaranteed Obligations are paid in full Performance Guarantor: (a) will not enforce or otherwise exercise any right of subrogation to any of the rights of Recipient, the Agent or
Blue Ridge against Originator or either of the Initial Servicers, (b) hereby waives all rights of subrogation (whether contractual, under Section 509 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, at law or in equity or otherwise) to the claims of Recipient,
the Agent and Blue Ridge against Originator or either of the Initial Servicers and all contractual, statutory or legal or 

  

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equitable rights of contribution, reimbursement, indemnification and similar rights and “claims” (as that term is defined in the United States
Bankruptcy Code) which Performance Guarantor might now have or hereafter acquire against Originator or either of the Initial Servicers that arise from the existence or performance of Performance Guarantor’s obligations hereunder, (c) will not
claim any setoff, recoupment or counterclaim against Originator or either of the Initial Servicers in respect of any liability of Performance Guarantor to such Originator and (d) waives any benefit of and any right to participate in any collateral
security which may be held by Beneficiaries, the Agent or Blue Ridge. 
  
 Section 8. Termination of Performance Undertaking. Performance Guarantor’s obligations hereunder shall continue in full force and effect until all Obligations are finally paid and satisfied in full and the Credit and Security
Agreement is terminated, provided that this Undertaking shall continue to be effective or shall be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment or other satisfaction of any of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must
otherwise be restored or returned upon the bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization of Originator or either of the Initial Servicers or otherwise, as though such payment had not been made or other satisfaction occurred, whether or not Recipient (or
its assigns) is in possession of this Undertaking. No invalidity, irregularity or unenforceability by reason of the federal bankruptcy code or any insolvency or other similar law, or any law or order of any government or agency thereof purporting to
reduce, amend or otherwise affect the Guaranteed Obligations shall impair, affect, be a defense to or claim against the obligations of Performance Guarantor under this Undertaking. 
  
 Section 9. Effect of Bankruptcy. This Performance Undertaking shall survive the insolvency of Originator or either of
the Initial Servicers and the commencement of any case or proceeding by or against Originator or either of the Initial Servicers under the federal bankruptcy code or other federal, state or other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization
statutes. No automatic stay under the federal bankruptcy code with respect to Originator or either of the Initial Servicers or other federal, state or other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization statutes to which Originator or either
of the Initial Servicers is subject shall postpone the obligations of Performance Guarantor under this Undertaking. 
  
 Section 10. Setoff. Regardless of the other means of obtaining payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, Recipient (and its assigns) is hereby
authorized at any time and from time to time during the existence of any Amortization Event, without notice to Performance Guarantor (any such notice being expressly waived by Performance Guarantor) and to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set
off and apply any deposits and other sums against the obligations of Performance Guarantor under this Undertaking then past due for more than two Business Days. 
  

Section 11. Taxes. All payments to be made by Performance Guarantor hereunder shall be made free and clear of any deduction or withholding
(except for taxes excluded under Section 10.1 of the Credit and Security Agreement). If Performance Guarantor is required by law to make any deduction or withholding on account of any Taxes or otherwise from any such payment (except for taxes
excluded under Section 10.1 of the Credit and Security Agreement), the sum due from it in respect of such payment shall be increased to the extent necessary to ensure that, after the making of such deduction or withholding, Recipient receive a net
sum equal to the sum which they would have received had no deduction or withholding been made. 
  

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 Section 12. Further Assurances. Performance Guarantor agrees that it will from time to time, at
the request of Recipient (or its assigns), provide information relating to the business and affairs of Performance Guarantor as Recipient may reasonably request. 
  
 Section 13. Successors and Assigns. This Performance Undertaking shall be binding upon Performance Guarantor, its
successors and permitted assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Recipient and its successors and assigns. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, Recipient may pledge or assign, and hereby notifies
Performance Guarantor that it has pledged and assigned, this Performance Undertaking to the Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, as security for the Obligations, and Performance Guarantor hereby acknowledges that the Agent may enforce this
Performance Undertaking, on behalf of Recipient and the Lenders, with the same force and effect as though the Agent were the Recipient hereunder. Subject to Section 7.1(c)(ii) of the Credit and Security Agreement, Performance Guarantor may not
assign or transfer any of its obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each of Recipient and the Agent. 
  
 Section 14. Amendments and Waivers. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Undertaking nor consent to any departure by Performance
Guarantor therefrom shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Recipient, the Agent and Performance Guarantor. No failure on the part of Recipient to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right hereunder shall operate
as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. 
  
 Section 15. Notices. All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be made in writing and shall
be addressed as follows: if to Performance Guarantor, at the address set forth beneath its signature hereto, and if to Recipient, at the addresses set forth beneath its signature to the Credit and Security Agreement, or at such other addresses as
each of Performance Guarantor or any Recipient may designate in writing to the other. Each such notice or other communication shall be effective (a) if given by telecopy, upon the receipt thereof, (b) if given by mail, five (5) Business Days after
the time such communication is deposited in the mail with first class postage prepaid or (c) if given by any other means, when received at the address specified in this Section 15. 
  
 Section 16. GOVERNING LAW. THIS UNDERTAKING SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS (AND NOT THE LAW
OF CONFLICTS) OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA. 
  
 Section 17. CONSENT
TO JURISDICTION. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW: (A) EACH OF PERFORMANCE GUARANTOR AND RECIPIENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR GEORGIA STATE COURT SITTING IN
FULTON COUNTY, GEORGIA IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS UNDERTAKING, THE AGREEMENTS OR 

  

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ANY OTHER DOCUMENT EXECUTED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH OR DELIVERED THEREUNDER AND (B) EACH OF PERFORMANCE GUARANTOR AND RECIPIENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AGREES
THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN ANY SUCH COURT AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE AS TO THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN SUCH A COURT OR
THAT SUCH COURT IS AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. 
  
 Section 18.
WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH OF PERFORMANCE GUARANTOR AND RECIPIENT HEREBY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING INVOLVING, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ANY MATTER (WHETHER SOUNDING IN
TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) IN ANY WAY ARISING OUT OF, RELATED TO, OR CONNECTED WITH THIS UNDERTAKING, THE AGREEMENTS OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT EXECUTED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH OR DELIVERED THEREUNDER OR THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED HEREUNDER OR
THEREUNDER 
  
 Section 19. Bankruptcy Petition. Performance
Guarantor hereby covenants and agrees that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding senior indebtedness owed by Blue Ridge, it will not institute against, or join any other Person in instituting
against, Blue Ridge any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings or other similar proceeding under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States. 
  
 Section 20. Miscellaneous. This Undertaking constitutes the entire
agreement of Performance Guarantor with respect to the matters set forth herein. The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law or any other agreement, and this Undertaking shall be in
addition to any other guaranty of or collateral security for any of the Guaranteed Obligations. The provisions of this Undertaking are severable, and in any action or proceeding involving any state corporate law, or any state or federal bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or other law affecting the rights of creditors generally, if the obligations of Performance Guarantor hereunder would otherwise be held or determined to be avoidable, invalid or unenforceable on account of the amount of
Performance Guarantor’s liability under this Undertaking, then, notwithstanding any other provision of this Undertaking to the contrary, the amount of such liability shall, without any further action by Performance Guarantor or Recipient, be
automatically limited and reduced to the highest amount that is valid and enforceable as determined in such action or proceeding. Any provisions of this Undertaking which are prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such
jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable
such provision in any other jurisdiction. Unless otherwise specified, references herein to “Section” shall mean a reference to sections of this Undertaking. 
  

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 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Performance Guarantor has caused this Undertaking to be executed and
delivered as of the date first above written. 
  

	 ACUITY BRANDS, INC., A DELAWARE
 CORPORATION

		
	 By:
	 	 /s/  Vernon J. Nagel

	 Name:
	 	 Vernon J. Nagel

	 Title:
	 	 Executive Vice President & C.F.O.

  

	Address for Notices:
	
	 1170 Peachtree Street, Suite 2400

	 Atlanta, Georgia 30309

	
	 Attention: Treasurer

	 Fax No.:
	 	 (404) 853-1430

	 Telephone No.:
	 	 (404) 853-1423

  

 8Severance Agreement

 Exhibit 10(iii)A(32) 
  
 ACUITY BRANDS, INC. 
 SEVERANCE AGREEMENT 
  
 THIS AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), made and entered into as of this              day of
                    , 2003, by and between ACUITY BRANDS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and
                                       
              (the “Executive”). 
  
 W I T N E S S E T H: 
  
 WHEREAS, Executive is a key employee of the Company and an integral part of the Company’s management; and 
  
 WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide the Executive with certain benefits if the Executive’s employment is terminated involuntarily under certain
circumstances; and 
  
 WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive have
determined that it is in their mutual best interests to enter into this Agreement; 
  
 NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree as follows: 
  

	1.	TERM OF AGREEMENT. 

  
 Unless earlier terminated as hereinafter provided, this Agreement shall commence on the date hereof, shall be for a rolling, two-year term (the
“Term”), and shall be deemed to extend automatically, without further action by either the Company or Executive, each day for an additional day, such that the remaining term of the Agreement shall continue to be two years; provided,
however, that either party may, by written notice to the other, cause this Agreement to cease to extend automatically and, upon such notice, the “Term” of this Agreement shall be the two-year period following the date of such notice and
this Agreement shall terminate upon the expiration of such Term. This Agreement shall not be considered an employment agreement and in no way guarantees Executive the right to continue in the employment of the Company or its affiliates.
Executive’s employment is considered employment at will, subject to Executive’s right to receive payments and benefits upon certain terminations of employment as provided below. 
  
 As of the date hereof, this Agreement is intended to, and shall, supersede and replace in their entirety the severance
benefits provided under the Executive’s Employment Agreement dated                         . 
  

	2.	DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified below: 

  
 2.1 “Board” or “Board of Directors” —
The Board of Directors of Acuity Brands, Inc., or its successor. 
  

 2.2 “Cause” — The involuntary termination of Executive by the Company for the
following reasons shall constitute a termination for Cause: 
  
 (a) If termination shall have been the result of an act or acts by the Executive which have been found in an applicable court of law to constitute a felony (other than traffic-related offenses); 
  
 (b) If termination shall have been the result of an act or acts by the
Executive which are in the good faith judgment of the Company deemed to be in violation of law or of written policies of the Company and which result in material injury to the Company; 
  
 (c) If termination shall have been the result of an act or acts of dishonesty by the Executive resulting or intended to
result directly or indirectly in gain or personal enrichment to the Executive at the expense of the Company; or 
  
 (d) Upon the continued failure by the Executive substantially to perform the duties reasonably assigned to Executive given Executive’s training and
experience (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to mental or physical illness not constituting a Disability, as defined herein), after a demand in writing for substantial performance of such duties is delivered by the Company,
which demand specifically identifies the manner in which the Company believes that the Executive has not substantially performed his duties, and such failure results in material injury to the Company. 
  
 2.3 “Company” — Acuity Brands, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, or any successor to its business and/or assets. 
  
 2.4 “Date of Termination” — The date specified in the Notice of Termination (which may be immediate) as the date upon which the Executive’s employment with the Company is to cease. 
  
 2.5 “Disability” — Disability shall have the meaning
ascribed to such term in the Company’s long-term disability plan covering the Executive, or in the absence of such plan, a meaning consistent with Section 22(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. 
  
 2.6 “Notice of Termination” — A written notice from one
party to the other party specifying the Date of Termination and setting forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances relating to the basis for termination of Executive’s employment. 
  
 2.7 “Severance Period” — A period equal to the lesser
of (i) eighteen (18) months from the Executive’s Date of Termination or (ii) the number of months (rounded to the nearest month) from the Executive’s Date of Termination until the date he attains age 65; provided, however, that the
Severance Period shall in no event be less than six (6) months. 
  

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 2.8 “Severance Protection Agreement” — An agreement between Executive and the
Company providing for the payment of compensation and benefits to Executive in the event of Executive’s termination of employment under certain circumstances following a “change in control” of the Company (as defined in such
agreement). 
  

	3.	SCOPE OF AGREEMENT. 

  
 This Agreement provides for the payment of compensation and benefits to Executive in the event his employment is involuntarily terminated by the Company
without Cause. If Executive is terminated by the Company for Cause, dies, incurs a Disability or voluntarily terminates employment, this Agreement shall terminate, and Executive shall be entitled to no payments of compensation or benefits pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement; provided that in such events, Executive will be entitled to whatever benefits are payable pursuant to the terms of any health, life insurance, disability, welfare, retirement, deferred compensation, or other plan or
program maintained by the Company. 
  
 If, as a result of
Executive’s termination of employment, Executive becomes entitled to compensation and benefits under this Agreement and under a Severance Protection Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to receive benefits under whichever agreement provides
Executive the greater aggregate compensation and benefits (and not under the other agreement) and there shall be no duplication of benefits. 
  

	4.	BENEFITS UPON INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE BY THE COMPANY. 

  
 If Executive’s employment is involuntarily terminated by the Company during the term of this Agreement without Cause (and such termination does not
arise as a result of Executive’s death or Disability), the Executive shall be entitled to the compensation and benefits described below, provided that Executive, as described in Section 4.7, executes a valid release of claims in such form as
may be required by the Company. In the event Executive is terminated without Cause, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and to provide equitable treatment, grant benefits to Executive in addition to those
provided below in circumstances where Executive suffers a diminution of projected benefits as a result of Executive’s termination prior to attainment of age 65, including without limitation, additional retirement benefits and acceleration of
long-term incentive awards. 
  
 4.1 Base Salary. Executive
shall continue to receive his Base Salary (subject to withholding of all applicable taxes) for the entire Severance Period (as defined in Section 2.7 above), payable in the same manner as it was being paid on his Date of Termination. 
  
 4.2 Annual Bonus. Executive shall be paid a bonus in an amount equal
to the greater of (i) the annual incentive bonus that would be paid or payable to Executive for the fiscal year of the Company during which Executive’s Date of Termination occurs under the Company’s annual incentive plan (“Incentive
Plan”), assuming the target level(s) of performance had been met for such fiscal year, multiplied by a fraction (the “Pro Rata 
  

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 Fraction”), the numerator of which is the number of days that have elapsed in the then current fiscal year through
Executive’s Date of Termination and the denominator of which is 365, or (ii) the annual incentive bonus that would be paid or payable to Executive for the fiscal year of the Company during which Executive’s Date of Termination occurs under
the Incentive Plan based upon the Company’s actual performance for such fiscal year, multiplied by the Pro Rata Factor. The bonus amount determined pursuant to Section 4.2(i) shall be paid to Executive within ten (10) days of Executive’s
Date of Termination and any additional amount payable pursuant to Section 4.2(ii) shall be payable at the same time as bonuses are payable to other executives under the Incentive Plan. 
  
 4.3 Restricted Stock. Any Restricted Stock granted to Executive under the Acuity Brands, Inc. Long-Term Incentive
Plan (“LTIP”) for which the specific performance targets have been achieved and a Vesting Start Date (as defined in the agreement granting the Restricted Stock to Executive, the “Restricted Stock Agreement”) has been established
as of Executive’s Date of Termination shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable as of Executive’s Date of Termination and subject to the proviso at the end of this sentence, all Restricted Stock for which a Vesting Start Date has not
been established shall be immediately forfeited; provided, that if the Restricted Stock Agreement granting the Restricted Stock to Executive provides for more favorable continued vesting after Executive’s Date of Termination, the provisions of
such Restricted Stock Agreement shall apply to the vesting of Executive’s Restricted Stock after Executive’s termination. The Vested Value (as defined in the Restricted Stock Agreement) of the shares of Restricted Stock vesting pursuant to
this Section 4.3 shall be delivered to Executive in the manner provided in Section 2.2 of the Restricted Stock Agreement within ten (10) days of Executive’s Date of Termination, using Executive’s Date of Termination as the date for
determining the Vested Value. 
  
 4.4 Health Care, Life
Insurance and Long-Term Disability Coverages. The health care (including dental and vision coverage, if applicable), term life insurance and long-term disability coverages provided to Executive at his Date of Termination shall be continued at
the same level as for active executives and in the same manner as if his employment had not terminated, beginning on the Date of Termination and ending on the last day of the Severance Period. Any additional coverages Executive had at termination,
including dependent coverage, will also be continued for such period on the same terms, to the extent permitted by the applicable policies or contracts. Any costs Executive was paying for such coverages at the time of termination shall be paid by
Executive by separate check payable to the Company each month in advance or, at Executive’s election, may be deducted from his Base Salary payments under Section 4.1. If the terms of any benefit plan referred to in this Section, or the laws
applicable to such plan do not permit continued participation by Executive, then the Company will arrange for other coverage(s) satisfactory to Executive at Company’s expense which provides substantially similar benefits or, at Executive’s
election, will pay Executive a lump sum amount equal to the annual costs of such coverage(s) for the Severance Period. A benefit provided under this Section 4.2 shall cease if Executive obtains other employment and, as a result of such employment,
health care, life insurance or long-term disability benefits are available to Executive. 
  

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 4.5 Outplacement Services. Executive will be provided with customary outplacement services by an
outplacement firm selected by the Company for the Severance Period, provided that the Company’s total cost for such services shall not exceed an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of Executive’s Base Salary. 
  
 4.6 Other Benefits. Except as expressly provided herein, all other
fringe benefits provided to Executive as an active employee of the Company (e.g., 401(k) plan, AD&D, car allowance, club dues, etc.), shall cease on his Date of Termination, provided that any conversion or extension rights applicable to such
benefits shall be made available to Executive at his Date of Termination or when such coverages otherwise cease at the end of the Severance Period. Except as expressly provided herein, for all other plans sponsored by the Company, the
Executive’s employment shall be treated as terminated on his Date of Termination and Executive’s right to benefits shall be determined under the terms of such plans; provided, however, in no event will Executive be entitled to severance
payments or benefits under any other severance plan, policy, program or agreement of the Company, except to the extent Executive is covered by a Severance Protection Agreement related to a change in control of the Company. 
  
 4.7 Release of Claims. To be entitled to any of the compensation and
benefits described above in this Section 4, Executive shall sign a release of claims substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. No payments shall be made under this Section 4 until such release has been properly executed and delivered
to the Company and until the expiration of the revocation period, if any, provided under the release. If the release is not properly executed by the Executive and delivered to the Company within the reasonable time periods specified in the release,
the Company’s obligations under this Section 4 will terminate. 
  

	5.	CONFIDENTIALITY, NON-SOLICITATION AND NON-COMPETITION. 

  
 5.1 Purpose and Reasonableness of Provisions. Executive acknowledges that, prior to and during the Term of this Agreement, the Company has
furnished and will furnish to Executive Trade Secrets and Confidential Information which could be used by Executive on behalf of a competitor of the Company or other person to the Company’s substantial detriment. Moreover, the parties recognize
that Executive during the course of his employment with the Company may develop important relationships with customers and others having valuable business relationships with the Company. In view of the foregoing, Executive acknowledges and agrees
that the restrictive covenants contained in this Section 5 and in Exhibit B hereto are reasonably necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests and good will. 
  
 5.2 Trade Secrets and Confidential Information. Executive agrees that he shall protect the Company’s Trade
Secrets (as defined in Section 5.10(b) below) and Confidential Information (as defined in Section 5.10(a) below) and shall not disclose to any Person, or otherwise use or disseminate, except in connection with the performance of his duties for the
Company, any Trade Secrets or Confidential Information; provided, however, that Executive 
  

 -5- 

 may make disclosures required by a valid order or subpoena issued by a court or administrative agency of competent
jurisdiction, in which event Executive will promptly notify the Company of such order or subpoena to provide the Company an opportunity to protect its interests. Executive’s obligations under this Section 5.2 shall apply during his employment
and after his termination of employment, and shall survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement, provided that Executive may after such expiration or termination disclose Confidential Information with the prior written consent of the
then-serving Chief Executive Officer of the Company. 
  
 The
Executive, during employment with the Company, will not offer, disclose or use on Executive’s own behalf or on behalf of the Company, any information Executive received prior to employment by the Company, which was supplied to Executive
confidentially or which Executive should reasonably know to be confidential, to any persons, organization or entity other than the Company without the written approval of such person, organization or entity. 
  
 5.3 Return of Property. Upon the termination of his employment with
the Company, Executive agrees to deliver promptly to the Company all Company files, customer lists, management reports, memoranda, research, Company forms, financial data and reports and other documents (including all such data and documents in
electronic form) supplied to or created by Executive in connection with his employment hereunder (including all copies of the foregoing) in his possession or control, and all of the Company’s equipment and other materials in his possession or
control. Executive’s obligations under this Section 5.3 shall survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement. 
  
 5.4 Inventions. The Executive does hereby assign to the Company the entire right, title and interest in any Invention that is made and/or
conceived, either solely or jointly with others, during Executive’s employment with the Company. The Executive agrees to promptly disclose to the Company all such Inventions. The Executive will, if requested, promptly execute and deliver to the
Company a specific assignment of title for an Invention and will, at the expense of the Company, take all reasonably required action by the Company to patent, copyright or otherwise protect the Invention. 
  
 5.5 Non-Competition. The Executive agrees that while employed by the
Company and for a period equal to the Severance Period thereafter, but only for such period as Base Salary is paid to Executive under Section 4.1 hereto, Executive shall comply with the non-competition restrictions attached hereto as Exhibit B. The
parties hereto recognize that Executive may experience periodic material changes in his job title and/or to the principal duties, responsibilities or services that he is called upon to perform on the behalf of the Company. If Executive experiences
such a material job change, the parties shall, as soon as is practicable, enter into a signed, written addendum to Exhibit B hereto reflecting such material change. Upon execution, any such written modification to Exhibit B shall represent an
enforceable amendment to this Agreement and shall augment and supplant the definition of the term Executive Services set forth in Exhibit B hereto. 
  

 -6- 

 5.6 Non-Solicitation of Customers/Suppliers. The Executive agrees that during the course of
employment with the Company, and for a period equal to the Severance Period thereafter, but only for such period as Base Salary is paid to Executive under Section 4.1 hereto, the Executive will not directly or indirectly (i) divert or attempt to
divert any person, concern or entity which is furnished products or services by the Company from doing business with the Company or otherwise change its relationship with the Company; or (ii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier or
service provider to cease being a customer, supplier or service provider of the Company or to otherwise change its relationship with the Company. 
  
 5.7 Non-Solicitation of Employees. The Executive agrees that during the course of employment with the Company, and for a period equal to the
Severance Period thereafter, but only for such period as Base Salary is paid to Executive under Section 4.1 hereto, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, whether on behalf of the Executive or others, solicit, lure or attempt to hire away
any of the employees of the Company with whom the Executive interacted while employed with the Company. 
  
 5.8 Injunctive Relief. Executive acknowledges that if he breaches or threatens to breach any of the provisions of this Section 5, his actions may
cause irreparable harm and damage to the Company which could not be compensated in damages. Accordingly, if Executive breaches or threatens to breach any of the provisions of this Section 5, the Company shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief,
in addition to any other rights or remedies the Company may have. The existence of any claim or cause of action by Executive against the Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by
the Company of Executive’s agreements under this Section 5. 
  
 5.9 Provisions Severable. If any provision in this Section 5 and/or Exhibit B hereto is determined to be in violation of any law, rule or regulation or otherwise unenforceable, and cannot be modified to be enforceable, such
determination shall not affect the validity of any other provisions of this Agreement, but such other provisions shall remain in full force and effect. Each and every provision, paragraph and subparagraph of this Section 5, including Exhibit B
hereto, is severable from the other provisions, paragraphs and subparagraphs and constitutes a separate and distinct covenant. 
  
 5.10 Definitions. For purposes of this Section 5, the following definitions shall apply: 
  
 (a) “Confidential Information” means any and all information
regarding the business or affairs of the Company not generally known, including information relating to research and development, operating systems, purchasing, accounting, engineering, customers, marketing, manufacturing, suppliers, service
providers, merchandising, selling, leasing, servicing, finance and business systems and techniques, information concerning customers of the Company and their systems and applications. All information disclosed to Executive, or to which Executive
obtains access, whether originated by Executive or by others, during the period of Executive’s employment, which Executive has reasonable basis to believe to be Confidential Information, or which is treated by the Company as being Confidential
Information, shall be presumed to be Confidential Information. 
  

 -7- 

 (b) “Trade Secrets” means information, without regard to form, relating to the Company’s
business which is not commonly known by or available to the public and which derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to other persons and is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to
maintain its secrecy or confidentiality, including, but not limited to, technical or nontechnical data, formulae, patterns, compilations, programs, devices, methods, techniques, drawings, processes, financial data, financial plans, product plans, or
lists of actual or potential customers or suppliers. 
  
 (c)
“Inventions” means contributions, discoveries, improvements and ideas and works of authorship, whether or not patentable or copyrightable, and (i) which relate directly to the business of the Company or (ii) which result from any work
performed by Executive or by Executive’s fellow employees for the Company or (iii) for which equipment, supplies, facility, Confidential Information or Trade Secrets of the Company are used, or (iv) which is developed on the Company’s
time. 
  

	6.	MISCELLANEOUS. 

  
 6.1 No Obligation to Mitigate. Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for under this Agreement by seeking
other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any payment provided for under this Agreement be reduced by any compensation earned by Executive as a result of employment by another employer after the Date of Termination or otherwise, except
as provided in Section 4.4 with respect to benefits coverages. 
  
 6.2 Contract Non-Assignable. The parties acknowledge that this Agreement has been entered into due to, among other things, the special skills and knowledge of Executive, and agree that this Agreement may not be assigned or
transferred by Executive. 
  
 6.3 Successors; Binding
Agreement. 
  
 (a) In addition to any obligations imposed by
law upon any successor to the Company, the Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, or who acquires the
stock of the Company, to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement, in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. 
  
 (b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by
Executive’s personal or legal representative, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. 
  
 6.4 Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
have been duly given either when delivered or seven days after mailing if mailed first class, certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows: 
  

 -8- 

	 If to the Company:
	  	Acuity Brands, Inc.
	 	  	 Attention: General Counsel

	 	  	 1170 Peachtree Street, Suite 2400

	 	  	 Atlanta, GA 30309

		
	 If to the Executive:
	  	 To his last known address on file with the Company

  
 Any party may change the address
to which notices, requests, demands and other communications shall be delivered or mailed by giving notice thereof to the other party in the same manner provided herein. 
  
 6.5 Provisions Severable. If any provision or covenant, or any part thereof, of this Agreement should be held by any
court to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, either in whole or in part, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions or covenants, or any part thereof, of
this Agreement, all of which shall remain in full force and effect. 
  
 6.6 Waiver. Failure of either party to insist, in one or more instances, on performance by the other in strict accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of any right
granted in this Agreement or the future performance of any such term or condition or of any other term or condition of this Agreement, unless such waiver is contained in a writing signed by the party making the waiver. 
  
 6.7 Amendments and Modifications. This Agreement may be amended or
modified only by a writing signed by both parties hereto, which makes specific reference to this Agreement. 
  
 6.8 Governing Law. The validity and effect of this Agreement shall be governed by and be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the
State of Georgia. 
  
 6.9 Pronouns; Including. Wherever
appropriate in this Agreement, personal pronouns shall be deemed to include the other genders and the singular to include the plural. Wherever used in this Agreement, the term “including” means “including, without limitation.”

  
 6.10 Disputes; Legal Fees; Indemnification. 

 
 (a) Disputes. All claims by Executive for compensation and benefits under
this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be directed to and be determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board. Any denial by the Compensation Committee of a claim for benefits under this Agreement shall be provided in writing to Executive
within 30 days of such decision and shall set forth the specific reasons for the denial and the specific provisions of this Agreement relied upon. The Compensation Committee shall afford a reasonable opportunity to Executive for a review of its
decision denying a claim and shall further allow Executive to appeal in writing to the Compensation Committee a decision of 
  

 -9- 

 the Compensation Committee within sixty (60) days after notification by the Compensation Committee that Executive’s
claim has been denied. To the extent permitted by applicable law, any further dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in Fulton County, Georgia, in accordance with the
rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect for commercial arbitrations. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having jurisdiction. 
  
 (b) Legal Fees. If the Company involuntarily terminates Executive without Cause, then, in the event Executive incurs
legal fees and other expenses in seeking to obtain or to enforce any rights or benefits provided by this Agreement and is successful to a significant extent in obtaining or enforcing any such rights or benefits through settlement, mediation,
arbitration or otherwise, the Company shall promptly pay Executive’s reasonable legal fees and expenses and related costs incurred in enforcing this Agreement, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and expenses, experts’ fees
and expenses, and investigative fees. Except to the extent provided in the preceding sentence, each party shall pay its own legal fees and other expenses associated with any dispute under this Agreement. 
  
 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day
and year first above written. 
  

	EXECUTIVE:
	
	
  
  

	 ACUITY BRANDS, INC.

		
	By:	 	 
	 	

  

 -10-

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