Emerson Publishes Environmental, Social and Governance Report

Emerson announced the publication of its 2020 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, highlighting how the company develops and delivers technologies, software and services to enable greater sustainability, efficiency and safety for essential industries while supporting communities worldwide.

As Emerson helps drive progress across industries, the company is advancing its diversity, equity and inclusion. Within the new report, Emerson shared its goal to double representation of women globally and US minorities at the leadership level by 2030.

“Building on our ESG focus has truly brought out the best in our employees – and our company,” said Lal Karsanbhai, president and CEO of Emerson. “We are building momentum in vital areas like sustainability and inclusion, and we are actively cultivating a workforce that reflects the world around us.

The 2020 ESG Report reinforces the company’s focus on empowering more sustainable operations and addressing complex challenges facing modern life in commercial, industrial and residential markets. Highlights of the report include:

• Environmental: In 2020, Emerson took measurable steps to further enhance the company’s approach to environmental sustainability and in defining its role in making the world more sustainable. The company reported a 10% decrease in CO2 emissions, an 11% decrease in global electricity usage and a 9% decrease in global water consumption over the past year.

“We have made progress not only in tangible sustainability initiatives, but in driving engagement and excitement across the organization,” said Mike Train, who was recently named Emerson’s chief sustainability officer. “From the way we approach customer challenges to the unified Purpose that connects us as a global organization, sustainability is truly top of mind for our teams and in our approach to innovation.”

• Social: Emerson undertook several key initiatives to accelerate its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts this year. In addition to setting goals for diverse representation among leadership, Emerson hosted “Courageous Conversations,” a series of regional dialogues on topics related to advancing equity; launched Diverse Slates, a recruitment initiative to build a diverse talent pipeline; and launched two new employee resource groups: Somos, for Latin American and Hispanic employees, and the Asian & Pacific Islander Alliance.

In addition, Emerson continued its legacy on giving back to communities. In 2020, Emerson contributed $24.5 million to more than 1,300 charities, nonprofit organizations and educational institutions across the US.

• Governance: Emerson has a longstanding dedication to high tenets of corporate governance. In 2021, Emerson shifted to an independent chair structure, electing independent director James Turley as chair of Emerson’s board of directors. In addition, the company recently added chief compliance officer Lisa Flavin to its Office of the Chief Executive, reinforcing its commitment to ethical behavior and high standards among all employees.

“Our 2020 ESG Report highlights the many ways we are putting our Purpose into action as we strive to be a strong corporate citizen both within the critical industries we serve and the communities where we live and work,” said Akberet Boykin Farr, VP of diversity and social responsibility for Emerson. “We look forward to the many ways we will continue to deliver against our goals to help make the world more sustainable and inclusive in 2021 and beyond.”