In today's complex business environment, many corporate citizenship leaders are working strategically with their employee resource groups (ERGs). Also known as business network groups or affinity groups, these employee-led communities can foster a sense of inclusion and belonging, while sponsoring events and learning opportunities for people all throughout an organization.
Sustainable to the Core
The following is excerpted from of .
Environmental sustainability is a critical component of corporate citizenship strategy and an increasingly important business priority. Firms that understand this imperative can become leaders in the movement to create a sustainable planet, society, and economy for future generations. Here we look at one company that demonstrates what sound sustainability stewardship looks like in practice.
Veolia North America is in the business of creating sustainable solutions for the water, waste, and energy management of its municipal, commercial, and indus颅trial customers. Committed to a mission to 鈥渞esource the world,鈥� the company helps its clients improve their energy efficiency, management of water and wastewa颅ter, and treatment of disposal of waste, as well as their ability to reuse and recycle materials that can become valuable resources.
Veolia North America believes that sustainable solutions must deliver economic value to its customers, who are facing increasingly complex environmental challenges. As the world鈥檚 largest environmental solutions company, it is uniquely positioned to help make great strides on this front. The company takes great pride in what it does鈥攑roviding circular economy solutions for cities and industries that make the world a cleaner and more resilient place. With sustainability at the core of Veolia鈥檚 business focus, the company has become a preeminent example of how an organization can effectively weave corporate citizenship practices and philosophies throughout its business practices.
A recognized leader in environmental sustainability, Veolia North America received an A-rating for CDP Climate Change, CDP Supply Chain, and CDP Water. In 2017, the company was added to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI). The company earned such acknowledgment through its continuous commitment to compliance with all pertinent environmental rules, laws, and regulations. According to its Environmental Policy Statement, Veolia North America takes environmental compliance and preservation so seriously that it is a condition of employment.
To ensure that employees in addition to all stakeholders鈥攊ncluding customers, industry associates, sup-pliers, and the general public鈥攁re aware of its commitment, Veolia proactively shares its environmental practices, accomplishments, and goals. The company鈥檚 2018 Sustainability Performance Report illustrates the depth to which Veolia North America has impacted those who live and work in the more than 550 communities where it has a presence.
One of Veolia North America鈥檚 exemplary solutions is the company鈥檚 energy management offering called Hubgrade. These centers serve as monitoring and analytics centers to improve performance and resource management for hundreds of clients across North Amer颅ica. Through this comprehensive optimization, Veolia is helping reduce the consumption of precious resources. In 2018 across North America, 15,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions savings were achieved by optimizing energy services for buildings that used Hubgrade.
This is the equivalent of:
- Removing nearly 3,000 passenger vehicles from the road for one year
- Avoiding the use of 1,531,000 gallons of gasoline
- Avoiding the combustion of 14,876,000 pounds of coal
More than 300,000 smart sensors already send data in real time from thousands of sites to more than 20 Hubgrade centers, which are located in countries such as the United States, Ireland, Sweden, Italy, United Arab Emirates and Australia. Reported metrics such as this provide specific insight into how the company achieves its mission by helping clients manage natural resources, reduce avoidable waste, and conserve and restore biodiversity, all while improving the everyday lives of people on a local level.
In addition to being mindful how its work impacts people, Veolia also prioritizes how its operations are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ever transparent, the company ties its revenue to the SDGs, where 36% is associated with responsible consumption and production (SDG 12); 22% with clean water and sanitation (SDG 6); 21% with industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9); 11% with affordable and clean energy (SDG 7); and 10% sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11). These figures illustrate that environmental sustainability is integral to 100% of Veolia North America鈥檚 business, and a driving force of its current and future successes.
Related Content
RESEARCH BRIEF - Across all measured societies, ESG performance contributed to financial performance. There are cultural attributes, however, that both strengthen and weaken this relationship.
RESEARCH BRIEF - Companies generally benefit financially from engaging in CSR activities. See where national characteristics make a difference...
RESEARCH BRIEF - Researchers examined the relationships between home and host countries to determine if firms will increase ESG performance in host countries when conflict is present.
RESEARCH BRIEF - CSR assurance increases investors鈥� value of firm CSR performance by improving financial performance and financial reporting quality.
RESEARCH BRIEF - Companies looking to improve their customer relationships and customer engagement via CSR initiatives should focus on proactive activities.
WEBINAR: This webinar explores how companies can implement successful volunteer sabbatical programs that benefit both their employees and local communities.
This month鈥檚 Member Meetup highlighted how companies are supporting veterans and military families through a variety of impactful initiatives.