IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. The company helps clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs, and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Nearly 3,800 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications, and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions, and consulting deliver open and flexible options to its clients. All of this is backed by IBM's legendary commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service.

Purpose

At IBM, we do more than work. We create. We create as technologists, developers, and engineers. We create with our partners. We create with our competitors. If you’re searching for ways to make the world work better through technology and infrastructure, software and consulting, then we want to work with you.

We’re here to help every creator turn their “what if” into what is. Let’s create something that will change everything.

IBM Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna

Arvind Krishna

Chairman and CEO, IBM

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We believe it is vital to state clearly to the world the set of our beliefs about Inclusive Capitalism. As such, we start with our Statement of Guiding Principles for Inclusive Capitalism. Knowing that words alone are not enough, each of us is making a series of commitments about how we will operate our institutions so that they help achieve Inclusive Capitalism. These commitments are forward-looking statements based on current goals, expectations and assumptions, which are not guarantees of future performance. For more information, please refer to our Terms of Use

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Summary

IBM commits to providing 30 million people of all ages globally with skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow by 2030.

Activities & Initiatives

IBM has developed a roadmap with more than 170 new academic and industry partnerships. The effort will leverage IBM's existing education programs and career building platforms to expand access to education and in-demand technical roles. IBM's programs range from technical education for teens at brick-and-mortar public schools and universities, and extend to paid, on-site IBM internships and apprenticeships. The company's skills and education programs also pair IBM mentorships with learners, and provide no-charge, customizable online curricula to aspiring professionals. The plan to educate 30 million people relies on its broad combinations of programs, and includes collaborations with universities and key government entities -- including employment agencies. Partnerships extend to NGOs as well, particularly those that focus on groups such as underserved youth, women, and military veterans.

Measures & Targets

Progress on this commitment will be measured through IBM’s partnership programs. IBM has established more than 170 new partnerships and program expansions in more than 30 countries across the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa, including:

  • In the United States, IBM will expand partnerships with several new partners, including Workforce Development Inc, National Association for Community College Entrepreneurships (NACCE), and OHUB, to offer training on the IBM SkillsBuild platform to successfully upskill, reskill, and best prepare the workforce for the future of work.
  • In India, IBM collaborates with Haryana State Board of Technical Education, and Uttar Pradesh State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), to upskill youth from across the country.
  • In Japan, IBM partners with Osaka Municipal Government and Osaka Roudou Kyokai (NPO) to offer SkillsBuild for Job Seekers in Osaka Prefecture, helping them to obtain IT skills and earn tech-related jobs. IBM’s curricula include introductions to AI and cloud computing, particularly for positions like help desk specialist, web developer, and data analyst.
  • In Latin America, IBM is partnering with Junior Achievement Americas to provide IBM SkillsBuild and IBM mentors to train women for web development and programming careers.
  • In Spain, IBM has partnered with Agencia para el Empleo del Ayuntamiento de Madrid (Madrid Council Employment Agency) to provide unemployed individuals with technical and professional skills through IBM SkillsBuild. Some of the courses will include: interpersonal skills, client engagement, web development and cybersecurity.
  • In Hong Kong, IBM partnered with Vocational Training Council (VTC), the largest vocational and professional education and training provider for learners of all ages, to include IBM SkillsBuild as part of their core learning on tech-related skills.
  • In Nigeria, IBM partnered with Coca-Cola HBC to skill youth on workplace readiness skills and interpersonal skills.
  • In Sweden, IBM is working with War Child to provide STEM career readiness for women who have escaped war.

SDG Focus Area(s):

Summary

IBM commits to implement a minimum of 3,000 energy conservation projects to avoid the consumption of 275,000 megawatt-hours of energy from 2021 to 2025.

Activities & Initiatives

This new goal builds upon IBM’s decades of rigorous energy conservation. From 1990 through 2020, IBM conserved 9.8 million MWh of energy, avoided 4.6 million metric tons of CO2 emissions, and saved $661 million. The energy with least environmental impact is the energy IBM does not need to consume.

Measures & Targets

IBM commits to implement a minimum of 3,000 energy conservation projects to avoid the consumption of 275,000 megawatt-hours of energy from 2021 to 2025.

SDG Focus Area(s):

Summary

IBM will improve average data center cooling efficiency 20% by 2025 against base year 2019.

Activities & Initiatives

This new goal expands upon IBM’s continual innovation for energy-efficient data centers, originating with IBM Research’s Measurement and Management Technology invented in 2007.

Measures & Targets

IBM will improve average data center cooling efficiency 20% by 2025 against base year 2019.

SDG Focus Area(s):

Summary

IBM will plant 50 pollinator gardens at IBM locations globally by year-end 2023 to support biodiversity.

Activities & Initiatives

This new goal promotes local action to support biodiversity. IBM has well-established, comprehensive environmental programs and goals that help conserve natural resources and protect biodiversity of our ecosystems.

Measures & Targets

IBM will plant 50 pollinator gardens at IBM locations globally by year-end 2023 to support biodiversity.

SDG Focus Area(s):

Summary

Divert 90% (by weight) of IBM’s total nonhazardous waste from landfill and incineration by 2025 through reuse, recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy processes. Use waste-to-energy processes for no more than 10% (by weight) of the diverted waste.

Activities & Initiatives

This new goal builds upon IBM’s prior nonhazardous waste recycling goals across several decades.

Measures & Targets

Divert 90% (by weight) of IBM’s total nonhazardous waste from landfill and incineration by 2025 through reuse, recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy processes. Use waste-to-energy processes for no more than 10% (by weight) of the diverted waste.

SDG Focus Area(s):

Summary

IBM commits to eliminating all nonessential plastic from the packaging of IBM logo hardware by year-end 2024.

Activities & Initiatives

For waste that is generated, we focus on preventing pollution through a comprehensive, proactive waste management program. IBM’s waste management (i.e., materials recovery and treatment) hierarchy defines our strategic management practice in order of preference as: (1) prevention, (2) reuse, (3) recycling, (4) recovery, (5) other treatment, and (6) land disposal.

Measures & Targets

Eliminate nonessential plastic from the packaging of IBM logo hardware by year-end 2024. For essential plastic packaging, ensure they are designed to be 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable; or incorporate 30% or more recycled content where technically feasible. (Examples of essential plastic packaging include electrostatic bags and certain cushions).

SDG Focus Area(s):

Summary

IBM will document 100 client engagements or research projects by 2025 in which IBM products, capabilities, and/or solutions have enabled demonstrable environmental benefits.

Activities & Initiatives

Under this new goal, IBM will keep track of the many ways in which its technology and innovation enable clients to improve environmental sustainability. We require our suppliers to adhere to the RBA Code of Conduct, which contains environmental requirements as well as provisions on labor, health and safety, ethics, and management systems. We communicate our requirement for RBA Code compliance at the initial stages of supplier onboarding. Each year, a subset of our suppliers is assessed using the RBA’s Validated Audit Process to verify their compliance with the code.

Measures & Targets

IBM will document 100 client engagements or research projects by 2025 in which IBM products, capabilities, and/or solutions have enabled demonstrable environmental benefits.

SDG Focus Area(s):

Summary

IBM will require key suppliers in emissions-intensive business sectors to set an emissions reduction goal by 2022, addressing their Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions.

Activities & Initiatives

In April 2021, IBM announced two new supply chain goals. One goal will require key suppliers in emissions-intensive business sectors to set an emissions reduction goal by 2022, addressing their Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions, that is aligned with scientific recommendations from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to limit Earth’s warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This new goal deepens our engagement with those suppliers who can have the greatest impact on reducing emissions across IBM’s supply chain by requiring them to set more aggressive goals. Emissions-intensive business sectors which are covered include:
  • Production suppliers of components, parts, and assemblies incorporated into IBM hardware products.
  • Technology products and maintenance suppliers for IT hardware equipment purchased for internal use, for use in IBM data centers on behalf of clients, or for resale to clients.
  • Logistics suppliers associated with downstream transport of products manufactured by IBM.
  • Hotel and airline travel suppliers.

Measures & Targets

Require key suppliers in emissions-intensive business sectors to set an emissions reduction goal by 2022, addressing their Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions, that is aligned with scientific recommendations from the UN IPCC to limit Earth’s warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

SDG Focus Area(s):

Summary

Reduce IBM’s GHG emissions 65% by 2025 against base year 2010, adjusted for acquisitions and divestitures.

Activities & Initiatives

This covers our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, as well as Scope 3 emissions associated with IBM’s electricity consumption at co-location data centers. This achieves a rate of reduction that equals or exceeds what scientific recommendations from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicate is necessary to limit Earth’s warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. We challenge ourselves by not including the purchase of nature-based carbon offsets to comprise any emissions reduction.

Measures & Targets

Reduce GHG emissions 65 percent by 2025, measured against 2010 and adjusted for acquisitions and divestitures. This rate of reduction exceeds what scientists from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicate is necessary to limit Earth’s warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

SDG Focus Area(s):

Summary

IBM will procure 75% of the electricity IBM consumes worldwide from renewable sources by 2025 and 90% by 2030.

Activities & Initiatives

We include renewable electricity (a) in the grid mix IBM receives from utilities, (b) for which IBM contracts over and above what’s contained in the grid mix, and (c) generated on site. We challenge ourselves by not counting the purchase of unbundled Renewable Energy Certificates to comprise any percent renewable if IBM cannot credibly consume the electricity those certificates represent.

Measures & Targets

IBM will procure 75 percent of the electricity we consume worldwide from renewable sources by 2025 and 90 percent by 2030. This includes power IBM generates on-site or contracts to purchase, as well as renewable electricity already in the grid mix received from utilities.

SDG Focus Area(s):

Summary

IBM commits to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Aim for residual emissions of 350,000 metric tons of CO2, equivalent or less by 2030, with 90% of IBM’s electricity coming from renewable sources.

Activities & Initiatives

This covers our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, as well as Scope 3 emissions associated with IBM’s electricity consumption at co-location data centers. We challenge ourselves by setting a numerical target for residual emissions. We anticipate new carbon removal solutions such as direct air capture, and support their development with research to accelerate the discovery of enabling materials.

Measures & Targets

Reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 using feasible technologies to remove emissions in an amount which equals or exceeds IBM’s residual emissions. Aim for residual emissions of 350,000 metric tons of CO2, equivalent or less by 2030, with 90% of IBM’s electricity coming from renewable sources

SDG Focus Area(s):

Summary

IBM will eliminate nonessential, single-use plastic items from IBM-managed cafeteria operations globally by 2025.

Activities & Initiatives

For waste that is generated, we focus on preventing pollution through a comprehensive, proactive waste management program. IBM’s waste management (i.e., materials recovery and treatment) hierarchy defines our strategic management practice in order of preference as: (1) prevention, (2) reuse, (3) recycling, (4) recovery, (5) other treatment, and (6) land disposal.

Measures & Targets

Eliminate nonessential, single-use plastic items (including cups, straws, cutlery, plates, carry bags, and food containers) from IBM-managed cafeteria operations globally by 2025. (An example of an essential use is plastic wrap to protect food for sanitary reasons).

SDG Focus Area(s):

Summary

As of October 2021, IBM has committed to providing 2 years of support to 5 nonprofit and governmental organizations globally each year who serve communities especially vulnerable to environmental threats.

Activities & Initiatives

The IBM Sustainability Accelerator is a global pro bono social impact program that applies IBM technologies, such as hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence, and an ecosystem of experts to enhance and scale nonprofit and government organization operations, focused on populations vulnerable to environmental threats including climate change, extreme weather, and pollution. The IBM Sustainability Accelerator has active five engagements, each with a different organization, as part of its sustainable agriculture cohort. The Accelerator’s next cohort, focused on clean energy, will kick off in October 2022 with five additional projects, each with a new partner. IBM will select about five organizations each year – forming a cohort – to focus efforts on addressing a specific sustainability issue area. The selection process includes RFPs that will be public and open to proposals from any nonprofit or government organizations (which are then reviewed through standard IBM Trust and Compliance processes). The organizations in the first IBM Sustainability Accelerator cohort were selected based on proposals solicited through an invitation-only pilot RFP that was shared with organizations already in IBM’s network and/or that of its partners. The projects will be executed in two phases: 1) Ideation and 2) Development and Implementation. In Phase 1, engagements will kick off with the IBM Garage, IBM’s proven methodology to apply design thinking and agile techniques to fast-track meaningful innovation and drive lasting culture change. In the second phase, based on the analysis and roadmaps established on Phase 1, IBM experts will configure IBM technology and other resources to help participants meet their community and environmental impact goals.

Measures & Targets

IBM will announce final selections for the Accelerator’s clean energy cohort by November 2022. The Accelerator will support each selected organization for up to two years.

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Recognizing it will take alignment of all our organizations to scale impact globally, we invite you to join the movement as a Steward of Inclusive Capitalism. Together, the collective action of Council members will contribute to a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable future for all people and our planet.

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