In its continuing efforts to improve every life, 3M has released the publication of its 2017 Sustainability Report.
The 2017 Sustainability Report covers what the company accomplished throughout 2016 in addressing significant global challenges involving raw materials, water, energy and climate, health and safety, as well as education and development.
(Population growth multiplies demand for power. 3M Science can double the capacity of conductors so there’s enough power to keep everyone energized. Courtesy of 3M and YouTube)
The report features stories of 3M products and people that combine innovation with purpose, and covers a wide range of sustainability-related topics, from corporate governance to human rights, employee programs, health and safety efforts and supplier responsibilities.
The 2016 edition of the report is also the first to show the progress the company is making on its 2025 sustainability goals, established in 2015.
“3M is continually striving to fulfill our every life ambition,” said Jean Bennington Sweeney, 3M chief sustainability officer.
“The creation of a new CSR organization, and the launch of this year’s Sustainability Report show our continued commitment to driving both business growth and societal impact.”
“The stories featured in our report show that a sense of purpose is at the heart of everything we do, from products to policies to partnerships.”
(In many cities, severe pollution is a major health risk. 3M Science filters what’s out there so in here everyone is comfortable and happy. Almost everyone. Courtesy of 3M and YouTube)
Report Highlights:
- 3M created a new Corporate Social Responsibility group, uniting 3M Sustainability and 3Mgives, bringing together an increasingly holistic approach to driving business value and community impact.
- 3M donated more than $67 million in cash and in-kind donations to support education, community and environmental programs throughout the world.
- 3M employees contributed 348,000 volunteer hours to life-improving causes throughout the year.
- 3M was voted as the most preferred potential workplace for millennials, in a survey of students and young professionals in the U.S.
- For the fourth consecutive year, Ethisphere Institute named 3M as a “World’s Most Ethical Company.”
- For the 17th consecutive year, 3M was selected as a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.
- Since 2012, the total number of females in management positions at the company has increased 13 percent, reaching 27.8 percent in 2016.
- Global renewable energy use increased to 11 percent in 2016.
- Global manufacturing waste, indexed to net sales, has decreased nearly 22 percent since 2005.
- Total water consumption has decreased 34.2 percent between 2005 and 2016, indexed to corporate-wide net sales.
- Global emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) decreased again last year, to 0.154 metric tons per million dollars in USD net sales.
- Greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced 67 percent since 2002.
(Overburdened municipalities often can’t replace aging water infrastructure. 3M Science renews existing pipes keeping water flowing for everyone in the family. Courtesy of 3M and YouTube)
3M has published a sustainability report in alignment with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework since 2002.
To learn more, and to access the complete 2017 report, visit www.3m.com/sustainabilityreport
