Xylem Inc.
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2019, 2020, 2021, 2023)
Reporting Period: 2019
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Water scarcity
- Water systems resilience
- Water affordability
- Climate Change
- Business Transformation
- Intellectual Property
Environmental Achievements
- 28.3% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
- 20% reduction in water use intensity
- 13 of 22 major facilities achieved zero waste to landfill
Social Achievements
- 50% employee engagement in Xylem Watermark program, logging 65,000 volunteer hours (21% increase from 2018)
- 150% increase in beneficiaries from projects conducted with nonprofit partners
- 100% rating in The Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index
Governance Achievements
- First sustainable improvement loan in the general industrial sector in the US
- Portion of CEO and CSO compensation tied to Xylem’s sustainability performance
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Reduce over 3.5 billion m3 of non-revenue water by 2025
- Treat 13 billion m3 of water for reuse by 2025
- Prevent over 7 billion m3 of polluted water by 2025
- Provide access to clean water and sanitation solutions for at least 20 million people by 2025
- Achieve 50% gender parity in leadership positions by 2025
- Achieve 25% US minority representation in leadership positions by 2025
- Reduce injury frequency to 0.5 or below by 2025
- Require preferred suppliers to take the WASH Pledge by 2025
- Ensure packaging material consists of 75% reusable, recyclable or compostable content by 2025
- Achieve zero waste to landfill from processes at major facilities by 2025
- Develop science-based target for GHG reduction (Scope 1,2,3) by 2025
- Engage preferred suppliers in sustainability initiatives by 2025
- Provide all employees with rich learning and development opportunities by 2025
- Increase US diverse supplier spend to 12% by 2025
Environmental Challenges
- Supplier issue causing increase in waste to landfill intensity
- Falling short of 25% water use intensity reduction goal (achieved 20%)
- Falling short of 0.5 injury frequency rate goal (achieved 0.67)
- Slower than anticipated adoption of digital products impacting new product sales
Mitigation Strategies
- Corrected supplier issue and implemented new audit protocols
- Committed to 100% process water recycling at major facilities by 2025
- Continued focus on risk reduction programs
- Working to accelerate adoption of digital products and services
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Over 250 suppliers audited in 2019; 200+ audited through Supplier Quality Assessment program in 2019
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier Code of Conduct
- Localization efforts
- Sustainability elements integrated into supplier audits
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Flooding
- Drought
- Unpredictable weather
Transition Risks
- New environmental laws and regulations
- Inability to capitalize on new technologies
Opportunities
- Delivering more energy-efficient products and solutions
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards: Core Option
Certifications: ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, ISO 9001, ISO 50001
Third-party Assurance: ERM Certification and Verification Services (ERM CVS)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 3
- SDG 5
- SDG 6
- SDG 9
- SDG 11
- SDG 13
Xylem's products, solutions, and services contribute to these goals through water management, sanitation, innovation, and climate action initiatives.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Alyza IQ Analyzer
- Godwin S Series pumps
- Smart Pump Range
- MAS 801 pump monitoring system
- HydroSphere data visualization platform
- Sensus Cordonel flow meter
Awards & Recognition
- Fortune “Change the World” list
Reporting Period: 2020
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Water scarcity
- Water systems resilience to climate change
- Water affordability
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Climate Change
- Supply Chain Responsibility
- Community Impact
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced overall facility water intensity by approximately 30 percent lower than it was in 2014. 2020 water usage was 19 percent less versus 2019.
- Reduced total company net greenhouse gas emissions intensity by over 7 percent versus 2019.
- 10 of 22 major facilities are now operating on 100 percent renewable energy, and two are recycling 100 percent of site process water, with 12 sites with projects underway.
- Helped customers reduce their carbon footprint by 0.7 million metric tons of CO2.
- Helped customers prevent 1.4 billion m3 of polluted water from flooding communities or entering local waterways.
- Installed treatment solutions that helped customers reuse 4.3 billion m3 of water.
Social Achievements
- Expanded global safety and health protocols, extended healthcare and medical benefits, implemented premium pay for essential workers, and expanded paid leave for those directly affected by COVID-19.
- Assisted communities through Xylem Watermark, supporting non-profit partners in COVID-19 response, producing and donating PPE, and providing WASH education.
- Advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, focusing on diversity recruiting, building an inclusive culture, and increasing data transparency.
- Launched a $1 billion green bond offering.
- Assisted 4.1 million people with access to clean water and sanitation solutions.
- Provided water education to 3.6 million people.
Governance Achievements
- Established the role of Chief Sustainability Officer.
- Augmented sustainability-linked compensation for an expanding group of colleagues.
- Launched a U.S. supplier diversity program.
- Increased transparency in the supply chain by engaging major suppliers to report into EcoVadis and CDP.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Achieve 50 percent female representation in leadership positions by 2030.
- Use 100 percent renewable energy at major facilities by 2025.
- Use 100 percent process water recycling at major facilities by 2025.
- Achieve zero waste to landfill from processes at major facilities by 2025.
- Develop 1.5°C science-based target for GHG reduction (Scope 1, 2, 3).
- Achieve 35% women in leadership by 2025.
- Achieve at least 25 percent U.S. minority representation in leadership positions by 2025.
- Reduce over 3.5 billion m3 of non-revenue water.
- Treat 13 billion m3 of water for reuse.
- Prevent over 7 billion m3 of polluted water from flooding communities or entering local waterways.
- Provide access to clean water and sanitation solutions for at least 20 million people.
- Reduce injury frequency to an incident rate of 0.5 or below.
- Increase U.S. diverse supplier spend to 12 percent.
Environmental Challenges
- COVID-19 pandemic impacting operations, supply chains, and communities.
- Water scarcity in various regions.
- Climate change impacting water systems.
- Achieving diversity and inclusion goals.
Mitigation Strategies
- Activated business continuity plans, implemented remote work, and provided support to employees and communities.
- Developed and implemented water reuse solutions and digital tools to reduce water loss.
- Developed adaptation and mitigation solutions to increase water systems resilience.
- Implemented diversity recruiting initiatives, built an inclusive culture, and increased data transparency.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 15% global spend of suppliers disclosed sustainability information via EcoVadis.
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier Code of Conduct
- Sustainability requirements in contracts
- EcoVadis assessment program
- CDP reporting program
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Flooding
- Drought
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes
- Market shifts
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products and solutions
- Increased demand for resilience solutions
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards: Core Option, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)
Certifications: ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, ISO 9001, ISO 50001
Third-party Assurance: Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance (LR)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 3
- SDG 5
- SDG 6
- SDG 9
- SDG 11
- SDG 13
Xylem's products, solutions, and community initiatives contribute to these goals.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Ecocirc building circulator pumps
- EXO NitraLED UV nitrate sensor
- Aquatalk smart water management platform
- Avensor wastewater asset management platform
Awards & Recognition
- MSCI ESG rating of AAA
- Top Sustainalytics score for industrial machinery industry
- Barron’s Most Sustainable Companies
- Forbes & JUST Capital: America’s Most JUST Companies
- Newsweek’s America’s Most Responsible Companies
- Human Rights Campaign Equality Index score of 100
Reporting Period: 2021
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Water Stewardship
- Climate Change Mitigation through Decarbonization
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced Scope 1 and 2 GHG emission intensity by 12% and water use by 22% versus 2019
- Recycled 100% of process water at 8 of 22 major facilities
- Reduced waste sent to landfill by 22% from 2019 baseline
Social Achievements
- Reached nearly 80% employee participation in Watermark volunteer program
- Engaged over 700 students in Xylem Ignite Innovation Challenge
- Expanded accountability for Sustainability progress by integrating 2025 Goals into executive compensation
Governance Achievements
- Expanded ESG-linked financing strategies, including an ESG-linked demand deposit account
- Announced commitment to reach Net-Zero by 2050
- Completed a Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) assessment
Climate Goals & Targets
- Achieve Net-Zero emissions by 2050
- Achieve 35% female representation in leadership positions by 2025
- Achieve 100% renewable energy at major facilities by 2025
- Develop 1.5°C science-based targets for GHG reductions across Scope 1, 2, and 3
- Reduce water consumption by further implementing water saving initiatives across facilities
- Accelerate progress towards zero process waste to landfill at major facilities
Environmental Challenges
- Need to accelerate procurement of renewable heat and natural gas for some large facilities
- Developing tailor-made approaches to educate and support suppliers at different maturity levels of data disclosure
- Increased customer focus on climate change mitigation and adaptation influencing product portfolio management
Mitigation Strategies
- Establishing more nuanced and facility-specific GHG and water targets
- Continuing to expand Tier 2 Supplier Diversity Program
- Including sustainability as a strategic pillar in product design phase
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 40% of critical suppliers evaluated in 2021 (virtual audits)
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier Code of Conduct
- EcoVadis assessments
- CDP Supply Chain program
- WASH4Work Pledge
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Water stress
- Wildfire
- Cold wave
- Heatwave
- Hurricane
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes
- Carbon pricing
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
- Growth in renewable energy sector
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI, SASB, TCFD
Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 9001, ISO 50001
Third-party Assurance: Lloyd's Register
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 3
- SDG 5
- SDG 6
- SDG 9
- SDG 11
- SDG 13
Xylem's products and initiatives contribute to these goals through various programs and solutions.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Leopold Texler lamella clarifier
Awards & Recognition
- 2022 World Benchmarking Alliance’s SDG 2000 Most Influential Companies
- 2022 Barron’s Most Sustainable Companies
- 2022 Newsweek’s Most Responsible Companies
- 2022 HRC Foundation’s Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality
- 2022 JUST Capital’s America’s 32 Industry Leaders for Environmental Performance
- 2022 JUST Capital’s Most JUST Companies
- 2022 3BL Media’s 100 Best Corporate Citizens
- 2022 Global Water Award Net Zero Champion
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Decarbonizing the water sector
- Accelerating water stewardship practices
- Advancing WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) access and capacity building
Environmental Achievements
- Reached 2025 Customer Sustainability Goal of enabling customers to treat over 13 billion cubic meters of water for reuse
- Reached 2025 Customer Sustainability Goal of enabling customers to prevent over 7 billion cubic meters of polluted water from flooding communities or entering local waterways
- Reduced legacy Xylem's Scope 1 and 2 emissions by approximately 17% compared to 2022
- Legacy Evoqua reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by approximately 9% compared to its 2022 fiscal year
- 78% of the combined companies’ electricity came from renewable sources in 2023
- 19 of 22 major facilities achieved 100% renewable energy use
- 17 of 22 major facilities achieved zero waste to landfill
- Recycled 33,308 metric tons of waste (59% of total waste generated)
Social Achievements
- Launched High-Impact Culture
- Completed a global gender pay-equity assessment (83% complete globally, 87% in the US)
- 49% of legacy Xylem’s global supplier base by spend signed onto WASH pledge
- 89% Watermark participation rate among legacy Xylem employees
- Provided WASH access to an additional 3.8 million people
- Reached an additional 3.3 million individuals through water education initiatives
- Provided humanitarian aid in response to 30 water-related disasters
Governance Achievements
- Established a control framework for ESG reporting (implementation planned for 2024)
- Several sustainability-related goals included in executive compensation
Climate Goals & Targets
- Achieve net-zero emissions by 2050
- Improve water security for 100M people by 2030
- Reach an additional 80M people by enabling climate-resilient WASH access and capacity building by 2030
- Develop 1.5°C science-based targets for GHG reductions across Scopes 1, 2, and 3 by 2025
- Reduce water intensity by 30% by 2030
- Reduce the water intensity of our supply chain by 2030
- Enable customers to reduce water demand by at least 2B cubic meters by 2030
Environmental Challenges
- Supply chain disruptions
- Global transition to renewable energy production needed to meet Scope 3 reduction targets
- Challenges in electrifying a growing commercial fleet
- Data collection methods are maturing and improving
Mitigation Strategies
- Developing alternative sourcing strategies
- Investing in projects aimed at reducing GHG footprint
- Exploring complementary innovative and data-driven solutions to reduce fleet emissions
- Strengthening internal controls to enhance the integrity of disclosures
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Over 500 on-site audits in the past three years
Responsible Procurement
- Business Partner Code of Conduct
- EcoVadis assessments
- CDP Supply Chain program
- WASH4Work pledge
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather
- Flooding
- Droughts
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes
- Market shifts
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
- Growth in digital solutions
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI, SASB, TCFD, UNGC
Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO 50001
Third-party Assurance: Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
- Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
- Goal 13 (Climate Action)
Initiatives contribute to these goals through water stewardship, renewable energy adoption, and GHG emissions reduction
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Digital solutions (Vue)
- Hydrovar X variable speed pump drive
- Solar power and solar/grid hybrid solutions
Awards & Recognition
- 2024 Net Zero Carbon Champion – Global Water Awards
- 2024 America’s Most Responsible Companies – Newsweek (#2 out of 600)
- 2024 Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality in the U.S.
- 2024 Sustainable Debt Awards for Sustainability-linked loan of the year (Americas)