UL Inc.

Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2019, 2020, 2021)

Reporting Period: 2019

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:29,776.44 tCO2e (Scope 1 and 2)

Scope 1 Emissions:28,377.06 tCO2e

Scope 2 Emissions:1,399.38 tCO2e

Scope 3 Emissions:Not disclosed

Renewable Energy Share:100% renewable energy in several European offices

Total Energy Consumption:Not disclosed

Water Consumption:19,562.42 gallons per employee

Waste Generated:Less than 50% diversion rate at global headquarters

Carbon Intensity:30.52 kgs CO2e per sq. ft. in 2019; 16.69 metric tonnes CO2e per employee in 2019

ESG Focus Areas

Environmental Sustainability
Social Sustainability
Governance

Environmental Achievements

Transitioned offices in Frankfurt, Cologne, Arnhem, and a fire laboratory in Rosenheim to 100% renewable energy, reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 600 metric tonnes annually.
Implemented a solution to reuse and recover softlines testing remains in Bentonville, Arkansas laboratory, reducing waste sent to landfills.

Social Achievements

Launched a global volunteer initiative to clean 125 streams around the world, with over 1,500 employees volunteering more than 6,000 hours.
Provided 2 volunteer time off (VTO) days per year to each full-time employee.

Governance Achievements

Established a dedicated Corporate Sustainability team, a cross-functional sustainability council, and multiple employee task forces to address sustainability issues.
Became a Signatory to the United Nations Global Compact.

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:

Not disclosed

Medium-term Goals:

Not disclosed

Short-term Goals:

Implementing efficiency initiatives at global sites
Purchasing renewable energy when possible
Monitoring energy use, particularly in areas with higher rates
Evaluating water recyclability in laboratories
Developing a policy for water use in offices and laboratories
Surveying the environmental impact of water use in scarce regions
Increasing employee awareness of waste diversion
Implementing a new global recycling program
Integrating circularity principles into operations

Environmental Challenges

Reducing carbon footprint and improving energy efficiency across global operations.
Managing water usage responsibly, especially in water-scarce regions.
Diverting waste from landfills and increasing waste diversion rates.
Achieving full transparency of all waste streams.

Mitigation Strategies

Developed an employee task force to identify areas for energy consumption improvement and recommend solutions.
Exploring ways to recapture and reuse water, particularly in laboratories.
Collaborating with business partners to find more responsible waste disposal methods.
Implementing a new global recycling program and integrating circularity principles into operations.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

Expecting suppliers to practice responsible sourcing, foster safe work environments, exhibit transparency, and ensure secure distribution of goods.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

Not disclosed

Transition Risks

Not disclosed

Opportunities

Not disclosed

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Standards, UN Global Compact

Certifications: Null

Third-party Assurance: TruCost; External review by Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship and the Ethical Corporation

UN Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

UL's mission, values, business, and corporate sustainability objectives align with these SDGs.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

Not disclosed

Awards & Recognition

UL University won the 2019 Association for Talent Development (ATD) BEST award.

Reporting Period: 2020

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

Climate Change
Diversity & Inclusion
Responsible Sourcing
Employee Well-being
Supply Chain Security
Circular Economy
Public Safety

Environmental Achievements

Northbrook campus operating on 100% Green-e® certified carbon offsets.
Several European offices and laboratories operating on 100% renewable energy.
Reduced energy consumption due to halted business travel and increased digital services.
Reduced water consumption due to employees working remotely.
Reduced waste due to employees working remotely.
Launched SEED (Sustainable Environment Excellence Drivers) employee engagement initiative.

Social Achievements

Launched Safety Starts Here campaign.
Shared safety expertise with stakeholders through Start Safe Playbook.
Published first Diversity and Inclusion Report.
Launched UL Inclusion Promise.
Joined YWCA Racial Justice League.
Launched UL’s Skill Bridge employee volunteer program.
Launched COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Employee Donation Matching Campaign.
Donated funds to employee-selected nonprofits.
Introduced virtual volunteering opportunities.

Governance Achievements

Upgraded Standards of Business Conduct (SoBC) and anti-bribery and corruption program.
Provided multiple training sessions on new SoBC in nine languages.
Established Diversity and Inclusion (D+I) Executive Council and D+I Leadership Council.

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:

Net zero commitment (target year not specified).

Medium-term Goals:

Achieve science-based targets for carbon reduction.

Short-term Goals:

More than 75% of global owned footprint to become Verified Healthy Buildings Tier 2 – Air and Water by the end of 2021.

Environmental Challenges

COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on operations and employee well-being.
Counterfeiting of products.
Water scarcity in some operating regions.
Waste management challenges.
Global increase in single-use items due to pandemic.
Need to reduce carbon footprint and transition to renewable energy.

Mitigation Strategies

Implemented safety protocols and Start Safe Playbook.
Launched Project Cerberus to combat counterfeit medical equipment.
Implemented water efficiency best practices.
Launched Waste & Materials Task Force to improve waste diversion.
Exploring methods to mitigate increase in global waste generation.
Exploring microgrids and renewable energy projects.
Increasing transparency in emissions reporting.
Developing science-based targets for carbon reduction.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: More than 300 top suppliers assessed in 2020.

Responsible Procurement

Developed best-in-class UL Supplier Code of Conduct.
Incorporated UN Global Compact and SDG commitments.
Developed specific guidelines for High-Risk Suppliers.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Opportunities

Development of energy-efficient products and renewable energy technologies.

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Standards, UN Global Compact

Third-party Assurance: TruCost

UN Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

UL's mission and services align with these SDGs through various initiatives and partnerships.

Awards & Recognition

ATD BEST award for UL University

Reporting Period: 2021

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:30,993.31 tonnes of CO2e (Scope 3)

Scope 3 Emissions:30,993.31 tonnes of CO2e

Renewable Energy Share:100% at Denmark office

Water Consumption:23,995,785 gallons (Northbrook)

Waste Generated:1,299.66 metric tonnes (Northbrook, non-hazardous)

ESG Focus Areas

Climate Change
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Governance
Health and Safety
ESG Enablement for Customers
Community Investment
Responsible Sourcing

Environmental Achievements

Committed to Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to reduce global carbon emissions.
Operationalized environmental data collection processes using 360 Sustainability software.
Completed indoor air quality assessments at North American offices.
Completed ASHRAE energy audits at global headquarters.
Launched Sustainable Environment Excellence Drivers (SEEDs) program with 165 global colleagues.
Reduced Scope 3 emissions by 56% year-over-year due to reduced business travel.

Social Achievements

Joined CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ pledge.
Redesigned global human resources function.
Launched Impact 100, a global volunteer campaign.
Provided two paid volunteer days per year to all full-time employees.
Expanded Business Resource Groups (BRGs) with over 2,600 members.
Donated $100,000 to Watts of Love, impacting 17,500 lives.
Partnered with Habitat for Humanity.

Governance Achievements

Conducted a comprehensive, third-party materiality assessment with ERM.
Board of Directors oversees corporate sustainability strategy.
Corporate Sustainability Council governs and implements sustainability strategy.
Established ESG Community of Practice.
No substantiated allegations of corruption.

Climate Goals & Targets

Short-term Goals:

Fulfill science-based target commitment.

Environmental Challenges

COVID-19 pandemic impacting operations and travel.
Supply chain disruptions.
Data collection for global carbon emissions.
Managing waste from testing processes.

Mitigation Strategies

Developed return-to-work plans customized to each office location.
Restructured Global Sourcing team.
Implemented 360 Sustainability software for data management.
Expanded Waste and Materials Task Force.
Exploring innovative methods to repurpose waste samples.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

Working to implement a best-in-class Supplier Code of Conduct.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Opportunities

Supporting the secure transition to renewable energy.

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI, SASB, UN Global Compact

UN Sustainable Development Goals

UL's products and services impact and help advance all 17 SDGs; specific examples provided in report.

Awards & Recognition

Training Industry's top employee health, safety and wellness training company
360 Sustainability's Gold-level CDP Software Partner status