CH2M HILL commits to 25-percent carbon footprint reduction by 2017

Denver — Inspired by its clients and partners, CH2M HILL has taken two steps this year in its Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship Report: By 2017, CH2M HILL will reduce its carbon footprint by 25 percent, starting from a baseline year in 2012; and CH2M HILL’s sixth annual Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship Report follows the new Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4 sustainability reporting guidelines.

Inspired by the creative ways its clients and partners are committed to creating a healthy and vibrant economy, society and environment for future generations, CH2M HILL decided to establish a 5-percent annual reduction commitment and urge other companies and organizations to join in.

International nonprofit GRI pioneered and developed the comprehensive Sustainability Reporting Framework used around the world. As one of 84 GRI G4 Pioneers in 38 countries, CH2M HILL is leading the way to increased accessibility, transparency and relevance in sustainability reporting and will be able to share lessons learned with its forward-thinking clients.

CH2M HILL also walked its talk about sustainability through the following accomplishments in 2013 (more details in the Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship Report at www.ch2m.com/corporate/sr/default.asp):

• Helped initiate the Natural Capital Business Hub with over 40 global companies, The Nature Conservancy and the Corporate Eco Forum, to assist clients with natural capital projects
• Started new environmental management systems in Argentina, United Arab Emirates and Qatar
• Decreased paper use in North America by 5 percent and in the UK by 4.2 percent
• Recycled 33,773 kilograms (74,457 pounds) of electronic waste worldwide
• Named as leader in sustainability consulting by Verdantix, an independent analyst firm specializing in sustainability issues

Because sustainability is about more than helping the environment, CH2M HILL also focused on creating a healthy and vibrant economy and society for future generations by:

• Doubling its philanthropic giving and funding employees’ travel to 25 countries to improve water, energy, transportation and sanitation systems by partnering with Water For People and Engineers Without Borders
• Donating $278,906 to Water For People, becoming the first company to raise $1.5 million
• Helping to create the Denver Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK)
• Launching two new employee diversity groups
• Continuing its outstanding safety record, with a low employee recordable rate (0.36 per 200,000 hours worked) that is 55 percent lower than the U.S. industry average

“We’re proud of our track record, but there’s always more work to do,” notes CH2M HILL’s Executive Sponsor for Sustainability Elisa Speranza. “Our clients share our highest priorities for corporate citizenship: ethics, health and safety, environmental compliance, economic performance, climate change, investing in our communities and supporting our people, and our Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship Report shows how we walk this talk.”