Month: June 2023

(DES MOINES, Iowa, June 21, 2023 /3BL/ — Principal Financial Group® developed a pollinator garden on the campus of its global headquarters and is celebrating the impact of this new space during Pollinator Week. Pollinator Week seeks to raise awareness for pollinators and how they can be protected.

The Principal® pollinator garden is located in what had previously held an office building and reached the end of its lifespan. The transformation follows the trend of adding green space in urban areas – as corporate real estate owners look for different space utilization and to bolster environmental commitments. “Urban areas are always looking for ways to attract people to live, work, and play – and biodiversity is a key area of focus,” says Carissa Schmidt, director, enterprise property solutions at Principal.

The idea of adding a pollinator garden came from a number of Principal employees and was a meaningful addition to the urban green space. “Pollinator gardens are relatively low cost, low maintenance, fit well with the commitment Principal has made to the environment, and can engage employees and the community. Pollinators are a major contributor to our food supply. Bees, in particular, pollinate many of the fruits and vegetables we consume. Due to alarming declines in pollinator numbers, the federal government, civic groups, and corporations have increased efforts to provide habitat for pollinators,” highlights Jo Christine Miles, director, Community Relations & Principal Foundation. The Principal pollinator garden can be enjoyed at the 7th Street Green which also includes a wide lawn, trees, and native plantings.

About Principal Financial Group® 
Principal Financial Group® (Nasdaq: PFG) is a global financial company with 19,000 employees1 passionate about improving the wealth and well-being of people and businesses. In business for more than 140 years, we’re helping more than 62 million customers1 plan, protect, invest, and retire, while working to support the communities where we do business, and build a diverse, inclusive workforce. Principal® is proud to be recognized as one of the 2023 World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere2, a member of the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index, and a “Best Places to Work in Money Management3.” Learn more about Principal and our commitment to building a better future at principal.com.

1 As of March 31, 2023 
2 Ethisphere, 2023 
3 Pensions & Investments, 2022

Insurance products issued by Principal National Life Insurance Co (except in NY) and Principal Life Insurance Company®. Plan administrative services offered by Principal Life. Principal Funds, Inc. is distributed by Principal Funds Distributor, Inc. Securities offered through Principal Securities, Inc., member SIPC and/or independent broker/dealers. Referenced companies are members of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392.

Principal®, Principal Financial Group®, and Principal and the logomark design are registered trademarks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a Principal Financial Group company, in the United States and are trademarks and services marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., in various countries around the world.

©2023 Principal Financial Services, Inc.

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Originally published in GoDaddy’s 2022 Sustainability Report

Environmental Impact

We operate with the future in mind.

As a forward-thinking company with a global presence, we are conscious of our responsibility to protect the environment for future generations. We hold ourselves to a high standard of stewardship in areas where we have the greatest impact and influence, and we engage our employees in our determination to operate sustainably.

APRIL IS EARTH MONTH 
For Earth Month 2022, GoDaddy went all in with events and opportunities for employee engagement, and we spotlighted GoDaddy employees who went the extra mile to protect the environment. We also incentivized our employees to donate household items for reuse by giving them $20 to donate to an organization of their choice.

Climate Change Commitment

Climate change is a rapidly growing threat to humanity. At GoDaddy, we believe that everyone has a critical role to play in addressing this urgent challenge. In 2022, we issued a position statement on climate change highlighting our stance in support of urgent climate action. We also shared our corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goal and our approach to reducing our impact.

50%: We are committed to reducing our scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50% by 2025 from a 2019 baseline.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

In 2022, GoDaddy’s scope 1 and 2 market- based emissions totaled 33,621 mt CO2e. When compared to our 2019 baseline, we reduced our scope 1 and 2 emissions by 35%. In 2022, our scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions footprint totaled 175,846 mt CO2e.

2022 Emissions Breakdown

<1%: Scope 118.4%: Scope 2 – Market Based60.5%: Scope 3 – Purchased Goods & Services6.4%: Scope 3 – Capital Goods3.8%: Scope 3 – Fuel- and Energy-Related Activities1.8%: Scope 3 – Upstream Transportation and Distribution<1%: Scope 3 – Business Travel<1%: Scope 3 – Employee Commuting7.5%: Scope 3 – Use of Sold Products<1%: Scope 3 – Investments

The Impact of Our Data Centers

Our data centers are the primary driver of our combined scope 1 and 2 emissions. To mitigate these impacts, we are working to reduce the energy usage and footprint required to run our workloads in our data centers. To accomplish this, we are actively consolidating our footprints into larger sites where we can leverage scale efficiencies and improved power usage effectiveness (PUEs), a key measure of data center energy efficiency.

In 2022, we significantly increased our workload density, which allowed us to accelerate our consolidation process and avoid the need for additional data center capacity, all while migrating nine additional data center footprints to larger locations. To track our progress in increasing footprint density over time, we use key performance indicators.

Many of our data centers already leverage resource-efficient technologies. For example, our data center in France uses groundwater for cooling, which significantly reduces energy use. We are committed to continually improving, and we strive to replace inefficient infrastructure where possible. In 2021, we conducted an external energy audit for our largest data centers, and we are using these results to identify additional opportunities for improvement.

Since 2019, for example, all of the data centers we operate in European, Middle Eastern and African (EMEA) areas used 100% renewable energy from Guarantees of Origin (GOs). We also evaluate renewable energy options for the data centers we operate globally.

The Impact of Our Workspaces

Our hybrid work model reduces demand on physical workspaces, and we continue to seek ways to reduce our environmental impact by promoting sustainable design and optimizing our real estate footprint.

Located in Tempe, Arizona, our headquarters are designed with sustainability in mind, with features including:

Energy-efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systemsLED lightingLow-flow plumbingRecycling programsSolar arraysReclaimed water facilities used for landscapingElectric vehicle charging stations

Reducing our environmental impact through portfolio optimization is an important priority for GoDaddy. In 2022, the Global Real Estate team worked to reopen 25 offices around the world while actively optimizing our real estate footprint to meet the needs of a hybrid work model, conserve costs and mitigate environmental impacts. Through this optimization effort, we reduced our active global real estate footprint by approximately 105,000 square feet. This metric reflects properties under our operational control, including owned and leased properties and vacant, non-sublet spaces.1

REAL ESTATE FOOTPRINT OPTIMIZATION 
Over the course of two years, optimization efforts reduced our active corporate real estate footprint by approximately 40% — that’s over 400,000 square feet.

About This Report 
Unless otherwise noted, the GoDaddy 2022 Sustainability Report outlines our environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies, activities, progress, metrics and performance for the fiscal year that ended on December 31, 2022. This report references the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and includes select Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Standards metrics for the Internet Media and Services sector.

GoDaddy is committed to regular, transparent communication about our sustainability progress, and to that end, we will share updates on an ongoing basis through our website and will continue to publish an annual Sustainability Report.

To learn more, please read our 2022 Sustainability Report.

1In our 2021 Sustainability Report, “active corporate real estate footprint” included vacant real estate and space available for sublease. 
 

Originally published on Built From Scratch

Summer is officially here. Rising temperatures often coincide with rising outdoor water use, primarily due to an increase in lawn and landscape watering. Experts estimate that 50 percent of the water we use outdoors is wasted due to evaporation, wind, or inefficient irrigation methods and systems. Use less water and promote healthy landscapes by sharing facts about overwatering and tips for reducing outdoor water use.

Simple Tips for Saving Water Outdoors 

As much as 50% of the water we use outdoors is wasted from inefficient watering methods and systems. Curb your water waste!

Homes with automatic irrigation systems can use about 50 percent more water outdoors than those without them. Check your summertime water bill—how does your warmer weather water use compare to winter months? Here are some tips for keeping water use under control:

Timing is everything: Know how much water your landscape actually needs before you set your sprinkler. Your local utility can offer recommendations for how much water certain plants need in your region and the best times to water. Generally, it’s best to water lawns and landscapes in the early morning and late evening because significant amounts of water can be lost due to evaporation during the heat of the day.Look for the label: If your system uses a clock timer, consider upgrading to a WaterSense-labeled controller. WaterSense-labeled irrigation controllers either use local weather data or the level of moisture in the soil to determine whether the landscape needs water, which reduces waste while focusing on plant health.Go with a pro: Contractors certified through a WaterSense-labeled program can audit, install, or maintain home irrigation systems to ensure water isn’t wasted. Make sure you ask for credentials.Tune up your system: Inspect irrigation systems and check for leaks and broken or clogged sprinkler heads, and redirect sprinklers that are spraying the sidewalk, street, or driveway. Replace broken sprinkler heads with WaterSense-labeled models, which regulate water pressure at the nozzle to reduce misty, fogging, and overspray when a home’s water pressure is higher than recommended for your irrigation system.Play zone defense: When planting, assign areas of your landscape different hydrozones depending on sun/shade exposure, soil and plant types, and type of sprinklers, then adjust your irrigation system or watering schedule based on those zones’ specific needs. This helps you avoid overwatering some areas or underwatering others.

GET RIGHT TO THE ROOTS: Microirrigation provides water directly to plant roots at a lower flow rate, allowing the water to soak into the soil and reducing runoff. Consider hiring an irrigation professional to help design your microirrigation system.

Even if your home doesn’t have an irrigation system, there are several simple steps you can take to promote a healthier lawn and garden with less water this summer:

Step on it: Grass doesn’t always need water just because it’s hot out. Step on the lawn, and if the grass springs back, it doesn’t need water. An inexpensive soil moisture sensor can also show the amount of moisture at the plant’s roots and discourage overwatering.Leave it long: Raise your lawn mower blade. Longer grass promotes deeper root growth, resulting in a more drought-resistant lawn, reduced evaporation, and fewer weeds. Give your hose a break: Sweep driveways, sidewalks, and steps rather than hosing them off. And don’t forget to check for leaks at your spigot connection and tighten as necessary.

SAVE OUTDOORS WITH WATERSENSE: Combining a smart irrigation controller and spray sprinkler bodies that have earned the WaterSense label can save water, time, and money on water and sewer bills.

Click here to learn more about The Home Depot’s commitment to sustainability. For more tips on reducing outdoor water use, visit www.epa.gov/watersense/outdoors.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y., June 21, 2023 /3BL/ – Paychex, Inc., a leading provider of integrated human capital management software solutions for human resources, payroll, benefits, and insurance services, today announced that National Urban League will receive a $1 million grant from the Paychex Charitable Foundation. The grant, which allocates $250,000 annually over four years, will support job training and workforce development programs in key markets where Paychex has a high concentration of employees.

This is the fourth major gift given under the Paychex Charitable Foundation’s strategic giving framework focused on well-being, addressing mental health, physical health, financial health, and professional skills development. This gift to National Urban League will benefit the professional skills development focus area. Paychex announced similar grants to Mental Health America, Feeding America, and Junior Achievement USA earlier in 2023 to support emotional, physical, and financial health, respectively.

“Working directly with 730,000 businesses across the country, Paychex sees firsthand how the dynamics of the U.S. labor market impact both employers and employees, and the vibrancy of our communities,” said John Gibson, Paychex president and CEO. “We’re proud to support the National Urban League as they drive economic empowerment through programs that allow workers to build and develop the skills necessary to power the businesses of tomorrow.”

With more than 90 local affiliates across the U.S., the National Urban League serves 300 communities with direct services that improve the lives of more than three million people annually through program areas that include education and job training, housing and community development, workforce development, entrepreneurship, health, and quality of life.

“We are proud to partner with forward-thinking partners like Paychex, who understand the value of a diverse and inclusive workforce,” National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial said. “Together, we’re building a stronger, more resilient economy for all Americans.”

In addition to this financial gift from the Paychex Charitable Foundation, Paychex will be seeking opportunities to engage its 16,000 employees as a volunteer network to help advance the Nation Urban League’s mission of helping African Americans and others in underserved communities achieve their highest potential through economic empowerment. The markets that will receive funding through this gift are: Baton Rouge, La.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Rochester, N.Y.; Tampa, Fla. and West Palm Beach, Fla.

To learn more about the Paychex Charitable Foundation, visit the foundation’s website.

About Paychex 
Paychex, Inc. (Nasdaq: PAYX) is a leading provider of integrated human capital management solutions for human resources, payroll, benefits, and insurance services. By combining innovative software-as-a-service technology and mobility platform with dedicated, personal service, Paychex empowers business owners to focus on the growth and management of their business. Backed by 50 years of industry expertise, Paychex serves more than 730,000 payroll clients as of May 31, 2022, in the U.S. and Europe, and pays one out of every 12 American private sector employees. Learn more about Paychex by visiting www.paychex.com and stay connected on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About National Urban League 
The National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment in order to elevate the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities. The National Urban League spearheads the efforts of its 92 local affiliates through the development of programs, public policy research and advocacy, providing direct services that impact and improve the lives of more than 3 million people annually nationwide. Visit www.nul.org and follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @NatUrbanLeague.

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