Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental

Environmental Achievements

• Implemented motion-detecting lights, interior and exterior LED light bulbs, and an energy-efficient VRF mechanical system.
• Introduced water reduction initiatives including push-tap water faucets and a rooftop rainwater collection system.
• Readily available recycling facilities in all offices and departments; use of recycled building materials.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Non-renewable natural resource use (energy, water, waste)
• Emissions

Mitigation Strategies

• Energy conservation through remote work options, energy-efficient building materials and systems, and partnerships with energy providers committed to renewable energy sources.
• Water conservation through new technology in future building developments, facility renovations, and landscape upgrades.
• Waste reduction through recycling and partnerships with waste removal vendors with greenhouse gas reduction goals.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Partnership with energy provider committed to renewable energy and waste removal vendor with greenhouse gas reduction goals

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Opportunities

• Renewable energy
• Energy efficiencies
• Emerging building technologies

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental Awareness
• Social Responsibility and Human Capital Development
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• Maximized energy efficiency and minimized electricity usage and environmental impact in the construction of its 325,000 square foot administrative building, using features such as north/south building orientation, water conservation methods, window glazing, and low VOC paints.
• Implemented a Trip Reduction Program, providing incentives for carpooling or public transportation.
• Provided a telecommute option for a significant number of positions.
• Participated in a recycling program.

Social Achievements

• Participation in the largest home renovation project in the country in West Phoenix with Habitat for Humanity, completing 392 homes by December 31, 2021.
• Continued community involvement through employee volunteer time (up to 16 hours of PTO annually).
• Participation in Special Olympics and Youth Opportunity Foundation.
• Launched new business enterprises creating jobs and management opportunities.
• Encouraged employee giving through Donate to Elevate.
• COVID-19 response including volunteering at POD sites and implementing remote work arrangements.
• Sponsoring K-12 educational development programs.
• Funding of student tuition organizations ($5.0 million in 2021).
• Support for GCU’s free tutoring/mentoring program.
• Maintained hiring policies and practices that support diversity, including an Equal Employment Opportunity Policy and diversity-related job board postings.
• Provided regular diversity training to employees and management.
• Offered learning and development support through ELD initiatives.
• Offered a generous Tuition Benefit program to employees.

Governance Achievements

• Independent and diverse Board (5 of 6 directors independent; 3 of 6 directors are women; 2 directors identify with an underrepresented diverse ethnicity).
• Independent directors meet regularly in executive sessions without management present.
• Adopted majority voting for directors.
• Implemented a stock ownership policy for executive officers and directors.
• Hold annual elections for directors.
• Fully independent Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees.
• Conduct regular evaluations of the Board and Committees.
• Adopted a business code of conduct.
• Established a Director Nomination Process.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• University education is too expensive; students are taking on too much debt; bachelor degrees are taking too long to complete; programs are not targeted enough toward careers; tuition increases decrease diversity; universities have inadequate counseling and support services; most university professors have no formal training in teaching, learning, or course design; universities are under significant financial pressures.
• Challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and a declining number of high school graduates attending college.
• Climate risks (though considered low).

Mitigation Strategies

• Developed hybrid educational models to decrease tuition or increase scholarships.
• Worked with university partners and high schools on dual credit and online prerequisite courses to shorten completion time.
• Focused on programs in areas with skills shortages.
• Provided expanded academic counseling services to increase retention and completion.
• Assisted university partners in improving online education pedagogy.
• Insurance policies in place to cover property damage.
• Evaluating emissions reduction requirements with key suppliers.

Supply Chain Management

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• fires, drought, hailstorms, increasing weather pattern changes

Transition Risks

• changing customer behavior