AT&T Creates Jobs, Social Benefits, Notable Energy Savings Through Recent Sustainability Efforts

AT&T has saved over $151 million in annualized energy savings since 2010 after implementing more than 14,300 energy-reducing projects, according to the company’s 2012 Sustainability Report.

These projects have saved nearly 1.3 billion kilowatt hours (kWh), equivalent to the electricity use of 136,340 homes in one year, the report says.

AT&T highlighted several milestones, including establishing an energy score card program for 1,000 retail stores, achieving 11 megawatts of alternative energy capacity and joining Rocky Mountain Institute's Portfolio Energy RetroFit Challenge — aimed at scaling energy efficiency.

For the first time, the report records personal narratives from employees and video testimonials from like-minded organizations. AT&T says the stories are meant to bring to life those benefiting from the company’s investment in education, water conservation efforts and developing technology enabling more efficient transportation systems, among others.

“With the help of our employees and organizations that share our vision, AT&T's sustainability commitment is growing in ways imagined and unimagined,” said Charlene Lake, AT&T’s Chief Sustainability Officer and Senior Vice President of Public Affairs. “This year’s report tells our sustainability story through the voices of people who work hard to address critical issues such as texting while driving, the high school dropout crisis, resource strain related to energy and water use, and diversity and inclusion.”

Other highlights from this year's report include:

• Investing more than $43.6 million toward the planned $250 million commitment over five years to AT&T Aspire
• Continuing commitment to the 100,000 Jobs Mission, hiring nearly 1,000 veterans
• Reaching more than 1.3 million pledges through the "It Can Wait" no texting while driving campaign
• Introducing Aspire Mentoring Academy, with the goal of providing one million hours of mentoring by our employees through the end of 2016
• Deploying its 7,000th alternative fuel vehicle and announced that 10 percent of our corporate fleet of more than 71,000 vehicles is now comprised of alternative fuel models
• Beginning collaboration with Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) to determine best practices on reducing water use in facility cooling processes

AT&T recently became the largest wireless carrier to join the SmartWay Transport Partnership program, a collaboration between the Environmental Protection Agency and freight and transport divisions of companies representing the manufacturing, retail, freight and logistics sectors to voluntarily improve fuel-efficiency and curb emissions. The company also recently ranked number one on CR Magazine’s 2013 100 Best Corporate Citizens List, which ranks companies based on disclosure and performance measures covering environment, climate change, employee relations, human rights, governance, finance and philanthropy.

AT&T

Mike Hower

Published Jun 20, 2013 1am EDT / 10pm PDT / 6am BST / 7am CEST

Mike Hower

Managing Director, Sustainability & Social Impact
Deutsche Bank

Mike Hower is a sustainability communicator and connector committed to helping purpose-driven businesses and people unlock their full potential for positive impact. As founder and principal consultant at Hower Impact, he works with companies to translate sustainability strategy into stories that inform, engage and inspire investors, customers, employees, regulators and other stakeholders in the service of social, environmental and business goals. Through his Impact Hired initiative, he works to connect and engage corporate sustainability professionals at all stages of their careers. (read more ...)