HPE | Top 5 Things You Shouldn’t Miss From the Living Progress Report
by Chris Wellise, Chief Sustainability Officer at HPE
We recently released our annual Living Progress Report, showcasing how HPE is driving sustainable innovation and embedding corporate citizenship within our culture. From garnering investor confidence with leading environmental and social governance (ESG) performance, to developing the world’s most efficient and secure products, I'm delighted to share a few of the highlights from the new report.
1. We ranked among the world’s most sustainable companies
Sustainability and ESG issues are rising to the top of Board room agendas as investors, customers, and regulators increasingly take note. For the sixth consecutive year, HPE’s commitment to sustainability has earned distinction on the 2017 Dow Jones Sustainability Index, which recognizes the world’s most sustainable companies. HPE received the highest industry score on six indicators including our climate strategy and commitment to human rights, as well as economic dimensions including policy influence and privacy protection.
HPE also achieved the highest possible ranking from CDP for our carbon management and commitment to reducing climate-related risks, ranking in the top 4% of companies evaluated across the globe.
2. We beat the competition with sustainable innovation
To address the exponential increase in demand for computing power, HPE is delivering a new breed of innovation that is purpose-built to maximize efficiency without sacrificing performance and scale. Last year, HPE accounted for more supercomputers in the Green500 list than any other company and secured the #1 ranking for the most energy efficient supercomputer in the world. The introduction of new consumption based IT models and services are also achieving reductions in energy use, hardware materials, and end-of-life costs for our customers.
Beyond efficiency, HPE is delivering world leading security and reliability. For example, HPE-developed “silicon root of trust” technology in HPE Gen10 servers makes them the most secure industry-standard servers on the market.
3. We partnered with our customers to tackle global challenges and expand our markets
Technological advancements are turning unprecedented amounts of data into actionable insights, enabling ground-breaking scientific research and new levels of efficiencies in the way we live and work. How can we double agricultural outputs to feed a growing population? How can we accelerate the process of finding cures to diseases? How can we reinvent cities to improve the lives of citizens? Partnering with our customers, we’re tackling social and environmental challenges such as these, while identifying new market opportunities for our business.
We’re also partnering with non-profit organizations to harness the power of technology for a better world. This past year we launched pilots for three Living Progress Challenge winning solutions: piloting a financial management tool with rural women in Tanzania, connecting mentors with high school students in Mexico to reduce drop-out rates, and analyzing trade data to combat illegal fishing across our oceans.
4. We attracted top talent through industry-leading inclusion, diversity and employee engagement
In 2017, HPE was acknowledged with 100% ratings by the Human Rights Equality Index and the U.S. Business Leadership Network Disability Index. We recognize the importance of fostering an inclusive environment and hold our people leaders accountable for the actions they take to support diversity and inclusion within their own teams.
Our employees are also integral to expanding HPE’s positive impact in the communities beyond our walls. Last year, employee charitable donations of time and money totaled over $4.5 million. And through the launch of our newest employee-nominated grants program, we have already distributed nearly $275,000 in grants to non-profits that our employees have meaningfully engaged with.
5. We raised the bar for climate action in the IT industry and beyond
This year HPE achieved our operational emissions reduction goal (25% reduction by 2025) seven years ahead of schedule, and set an industry-first supply chain goal to help our suppliers set and achieve their own science-based emissions targets that align with the goals of the global Paris accord.
To create a long-term commercial incentive for our suppliers, we have committed that by 2025 80% of HPE’s manufacturing spend will go to suppliers with science-based targets in place. HPE’s capability-building program will provide suppliers with training on low-carbon strategies, eliminate barriers to participation, and drive greater accountability. It’s our goal that this new standard for supplier emissions engagement and abatement will create a ripple effect that drives action throughout our suppliers, customers, and the world.
To learn more about how HPE Living Progress is creating sustainable solutions for our company, our customers, and our world, check out HPE’s Living Progress Report.
