Disney looks to “infinity and beyond” with new long-term environmental goals
Last updated 13/03/2009 09:20:15
Disney has new long-term environmental goals
Over the next three to five years the Walt Disney Company will work to reducing emissions, waste, electricity and fuel uses, and its impact on water and ecosystems.
The entertainments company outlined its strategic environmental goals in its first corporate responsibility report which also addressed issues including charitable giving to nutrition and from online safety for kids to workplace diversity.
The long-term environmental goals outlined in the report are; Zero waste, Zero net direct greenhouse gas emissions from fuels, Reduce indirect greenhouse gas emissions from electricity consumption, Net positive impact on ecosystems, Minimize water use, Minimize product footprint, Inform, empower and activate positive action for the environment.
The company's president and ceo Robert A. Iger said: "[These] efforts make our brands and products more attractive, strengthen our bonds with consumers, make the company a more desirable place to work and build goodwill in the communities we operate ... all of this contributes to shareholder value".
The report covers the company's philosophy and activities in five areas:
- Children and Family – guiding principles, kids' health and nutrition, creative practices, programming philosophies and marketing policies
- Content and Products – standards and practices, content diversity, product safety policies and parks accessibility and safety
- Environment – environmental initiatives, progress and long-term goals
- Community – charitable giving, VoluntEAR and community outreach updates
- Workplaces – employee diversity, benefits and international labour standards
Details include the company's first comprehensive greenhouse gas inventory and updates on Disney's pioneering policies on healthy food guidelines and smoking in films.
Building on 20 years of work by Disney's environmental affairs department, the new goals and targets were formulated over the last two years by an environmental council of senior executives from across the company.
Charged with developing and implementing sustainable strategies for Disney's impact on the environment, as well as ways to use the company's media reach to encourage positive action, the council has taken a measured, scientific approach in analyzing company operations and crafting strategic objectives.