SJW Group gets Prime status governance score by ISS ESG
The SJW Group, which provides wastewater and water services to more than 1.5 million people in the United States, has announced the release of its 2021 Corporate Sustainability Report, which summarizes the environmental, social and governance achievements across its operations that serve customers in Texas, California, Connecticut, and Maine.
“For SJW Group, 2021 can be summed up in one word — resilience. It is evident in our employees and the communities we serve. Our employees know that tap water touches the lives of people and communities every day and that it is our shared mission to deliver high-quality, reliable water service despite various challenges,” said Eric W. Thornburg, the CEO, President, and Chairman of the company.
He went on to add, “In the past few years, we have confronted the pandemic, stresses on some of our water supplies, changing weather conditions, economic struggles of our customers, and social and societal issues around race and violence in our country. We responded to those challenges and delivered on our commitment to be a leader across the environmental, social and governance issues in 2021. We are more resolute than ever to deliver on our mission and be a trusted partner and force for good in the communities we serve, as documented in the 2021 report.”
The following are the highlights of the report:
“For SJW Group, 2021 can be summed up in one word — resilience. It is evident in our employees and the communities we serve. Our employees know that tap water touches the lives of people and communities every day and that it is our shared mission to deliver high-quality, reliable water service despite various challenges,” said Eric W. Thornburg, the CEO, President, and Chairman of the company.
He went on to add, “In the past few years, we have confronted the pandemic, stresses on some of our water supplies, changing weather conditions, economic struggles of our customers, and social and societal issues around race and violence in our country. We responded to those challenges and delivered on our commitment to be a leader across the environmental, social and governance issues in 2021. We are more resolute than ever to deliver on our mission and be a trusted partner and force for good in the communities we serve, as documented in the 2021 report.”
The following are the highlights of the report:
- Having completed making an inventory of its greenhouse gas emissions in 2021, it has pledge to reduce GHG emissions by 50% from 2019 levels by the year 2030, in line with the Paris Agreement which aims to limit total global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
- It has created a new vendor code of conduct, aligning the company’s supply chain practices with the company’s 2020 human rights policy.
- It has formalized a health and safety policy affirming its commitments to place health and safety bang at the center of its day-to-day operations.
- It has updated the work of its employee-driven Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, which includes CEO Eric W. Thornburg’s signing of the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ CEO Pledge.
- Its efforts at environmental stewardship from coast to coast, including water conservation programs, land and forest management initiatives, in support of wildlife, and employee-led litter cleanups.
- Its commitments to equitable water rates through water rate assistance programs in its largest utilities, including a first of its kind program in Connecticut for water utilities and other customer assistance programs.
- Continued community involvement through educational programs, events, charitable donations and employee volunteering.
Institutional Shareholder Services also undertook a review of its environmental, social and governance activities and suggested improvements in its environmental and social scores.
Among its industry peers, the SJW Group is tied for the best overall social score. It is also tied for second in the overall environmental score.
The SJW Group has the best overall governance score possible and has been recognized with a Prime status by ISS ESG.
Prime status is only awarded to companies who have an ESG performance above the sector-specific Prime threshold.
It has also achieved a “gender balanced” rating for its board of directors from 50/50 Women on Boards. Furthermore, according to 50/50 Women on Boards, only 6% of the 3,000 largest U.S. traded companies can claim a gender-balanced board.
SJW Group’s 2021 Corporate Sustainability Report and Policies can be seen here.
Among its industry peers, the SJW Group is tied for the best overall social score. It is also tied for second in the overall environmental score.
The SJW Group has the best overall governance score possible and has been recognized with a Prime status by ISS ESG.
Prime status is only awarded to companies who have an ESG performance above the sector-specific Prime threshold.
It has also achieved a “gender balanced” rating for its board of directors from 50/50 Women on Boards. Furthermore, according to 50/50 Women on Boards, only 6% of the 3,000 largest U.S. traded companies can claim a gender-balanced board.
SJW Group’s 2021 Corporate Sustainability Report and Policies can be seen here.
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