Edelman’s Commitment to Global Citizenship
At Edelman, Global Citizenship describes the larger responsibility our firm has to society. It is how we interact with the world, our communities, and our staff.
In our 2011 fiscal year (July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011), Edelman contributed a total of $5.1 million in volunteerism and cash contributions to our citizenship efforts.
Core Pillars
Annual reporting based on the GRI Reporting Framework
A Declaration of Interdependence is the firm’s first annual citizenship report
using the Global Reporting Initiative framework to measure our progress. The report documents the results of Edelman’s first global carbon footprint and the firm’s efforts to monitor, track, and set targets to reduce our green house gas emissions. It also details how our employees are actively involved in addressing specific societal issues through pro bono services.
In our 2012 report, we plan to provide global and local reduction goals as well as a global supplier code of conduct.
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Public Service
The Edelman Public Engagement Service Corps is the firm’s signature program representing our commitment to volunteerism. As a member of the United Nations Global Compact, a portion of our volunteer efforts are focused on the eradication of hunger and poverty, a United Nations Millennium Development Goal. We have a global policy that gives our employees four hours of paid time off to support this cause. In addition, the firm continues to support our employees’ volunteer efforts for causes and NGOs that they select in conjunction with their local offices.
From July 2010 through June 2011, Edelman employees contributed to more than 25 causes, which included helping to restore the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp; raising money for and distributing warm blankets to New Delhi’s homeless; and supporting the NGO Safe Kids Worldwide.
Click here to see how Edelman global leaders engaged in their community at the 2011 Global Leadership Meeting.
Community Investment
The Edelman Community Investment Grants encourage and support our employees’ involvement in the causes they care about. The firm sets aside grant money to provide them the opportunity to financially support non-profit or not-for-profit organizations while either serving on that organization’s board or in its volunteer community. Employees can apply for these grants, which range from $500 to $2,500 USD. In our 2011 fiscal year, grantees included Bright One in the U.K., the American Pharmacists Association Foundation in Washington D.C., and the Children’s Eye Foundation in Tokyo, among many causes.
Please watch this video about the impact the firm - and our employees - had on last year's grantees.
Sustainability
In fiscal year 2011, we completed a global environmental footprint for the company and acquired environmental software that allows every office to report, manage, and track its footprint on a monthly basis. Some important investments in our office facilities and processes include:
- Purchasing electronic equipment with an Energy Star rating or the equivalent
- Purchasing of office furniture from manufacturers who use low- or no volatile organic compounds and wood from sustainable sources. When we dispose of old furniture, we make every effort to do so by sending it to local charities.
- Adherence to USGB (US Green Building) standards when designing our spaces.
- A policy of default double-sided printing and 30% recycled paper for our printers and copiers
Click here to view Edelman's global environmental policy
Edelman Green Teams
The majority of Edelman offices have active Green Teams that develop and carry out community initiatives to improve energy efficiency, including cleanups and recycling.
Human Rights
Click here to view Edelman's human rights policy.