Sustainability Practices – IBM

IBM is committed to environmental leadership in all of its business activities, from its

operations to the design of its products and use of its technology. First issued in 1971, IBM's

corporate policy on environmental affairs is supported by the company's global environmental

management system (EMS), which is certified to ISO 14001. The company’s EMS is the

foundation of the company's efforts to achieve results consistent with environmental leadership.

It also shows that the company is dedicated in protecting the environment across all of its

operations worldwide (IBM and the Environment).

In 1967, IBM created corporate policies to provide its employees a safe and healthful

workplace. In 1971, the company created corporate policies for protecting the environment. And

in 1974, IBM created corporate policies for conserving energy and natural resources. These

corporate policies, as stated in the company’s website (IBM policies, 2008), provide the

foundation for the following corporate sustainable objectives:

 IBM provides a safe and healthful workplace and ensure that personnel are properly

trained and have appropriate safety and emergency equipment.

 IBM is an environmentally responsible company in the communities where it operates,

and acts quickly and responsibly to correct incidents or conditions that endanger health,

safety or the environment.

 IBM conserves natural resources by reusing and recycling materials, purchasing recycled

materials, and using recyclable packaging and other materials.

 IBM develops, manufactures and markets products that are safe for their intended use,

efficient in their use of energy, protective of the environment, and that can be reused,

recycled or disposed of safely.

 IBM uses development and manufacturing processes that do not adversely affect the

environment, including developing and improving operations and technologies to

minimize waste; prevent air, water, and other pollution; minimize health and safety risks;

and dispose of waste safely and responsibly.

 IBM ensures the responsible use of energy throughout its business, including conserving

energy, improving energy efficiency, and giving preference to renewable over

nonrenewable energy sources when feasible.

 IBM participates in efforts to improve environmental protection and understanding

around the world and shares appropriate pollution prevention technology, knowledge and

methods.

 IBM utilizes its products, services and expertise around the world to assist in the

development of solutions to environmental problems.

 IBM meets or exceeds all applicable government requirements and voluntary

requirements to which the company subscribes.

 IBM strives to continually improve the company's environmental management system

and performance, and periodically issue progress reports to the general public.

 IBM conducts rigorous audits and self-assessments of the company's compliance with its

policy, measures progress of the company's environmental affairs performance, and

reports periodically to the company’s Board of Directors.

 In addition to its corporate policies, the leaders at IBM have identified three guiding

principles, which they consider as the three S’s of sustainability. The company uses these

principles to help other organizations either improve or spark their sustainability pursuits. The

three S’s of sustainability include:

 Strategy: Establish a leadership vision and strategic alignment.

 Synergy: Create a comprehensive program of cooperative action

 Significance: Implement a program that brings tangible value to both the enterprise and

the world (Driving performance, 2011).

References

Driving performance through sustainability. (2011). IBM Institute for Business Value. Retrieved

March 13, 2015, from http://www-935.ibm.com/services/us/gbs/thoughtleadership/ibv-

performance-through-sustainability.html

IBM and the Environment. IBM. Retrieved March 12, 2015, from

http://www.ibm.com/ibm/environment/

IBM policies. (2008). IBM: Environmental Affairs. Retrieved March 13, 2015, from

http://www.ibm.com/ibm/responsibility/policy9.shtml