Symantec Hits GHG Target, Increases Employee Engagement and Adds Diverse Talent to the Tech Workforce
As part of its commitment to climate action, Symantec set a goal in 2016 to reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30 percent over a 10-year period (FY16 to FY25 with a FY15 baseline). Through investments in energy conservation and more efficient use of space the company has achieved a 32 percent reduction in GHG emissions in just three years. Its Mountain View Headquarters now has a zero-carbon electricity contract as it moves to further reduce emissions by choosing cleaner sources of energy to power offices, labs and data centers.
This news comes as the world’s leading cyber security company released its eleventh annual Corporate Responsibility (CR) Report, which also reports progress on specific UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Since publishing its first CR report in 2008, the company has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability by becoming a founding signatory of the Women’s Empowerment Principles (2010), rolling out a global supply chain code of conduct (2011), partnering with the Human Rights Campaign to advocate for marriage equality (2015), and recently completed its sixth materiality assessment to ensure CR priorities continue to align with stakeholder expectations (2018).
In addition to a new graphic showing Symantec’s long history of CR efforts, the 2018 report shows how the company continues to innovate and strengthen its programs. Engaging employees in its CR efforts remains a key focus and the company launched its first company-wide environmental global campaign, “Going Green in 2018”, to inspire and engage employees to become environmental stewards.
The report highlights Symantec’s deep commitment to qualified and diverse STEM talent, featuring 2018 efforts to address the significant shortage of cyber security candidates and to help change the trajectory of the tech workforce—specifically for women, minorities, and veterans. Through the company’s own Symantec Cyber Career Connection, a cyber security training and career development program, 82 percent of program graduates were employed in cyber security or pursuing additional degrees within six months of graduation.
Looking ahead, the company is even more focused on the social impacts of technology. As part of its commitment to privacy as a fundamental human right, Symantec carefully monitors human rights risks associated with the use of its technologies in specific regions and by specific customers. Its work to ensure products are distributed and managed responsibly helps protect human rights and freedom of expression while upholding the promise and benefits technology offers society.
Building on its success, Symantec has set a new goal to reduce scope 1 and 2 and scope 3 (upstream) fuel and energy related emissions by a further 30 percent over the next 15 years (FY18 to FY33). Learn more about Symantec’s CR efforts in its 2018 CR Report Securing a Sustainable Future and its Corporate Responsibility in Action blog.
Symantec is seeking feedback on the 2018 CR Report via a brief survey, which will help strengthen future reports.
Media Contact
Debra McLaughlin
Senior Manager Corporate Responsibility
