By Sekhar Seshan. Consulting Editor, Business India

Sustainability is core to Flex’s mission of becoming the most trusted technology, supply chain and manufacturing partner, says Kyra Whitten, its vice president, marketing, communications and sustainability. “As we determine our next set of sustainability targets, we remain committed to driving programmes that help address broader societal and environmental issues, such as climate change, and transparently disclosing our progress toward our goals,” she adds.
 
 The US-headquartered multinational electronics contract manufacturer, which delivers technology innovation, supply chain, and manufacturing solutions to diverse industries and end markets, was recognised as an FTSE4 Good Index Series constituent for the fourth consecutive year in 2019. It also received an A- rating from CDP, formerly Carbon Disclosure Project, for its disclosures in climate change. and water security. It also earned the highest disclosure and transparency score on environmental, social and corporate governance factors from Institutional Shareholder Services, among other honours for its sustainability initiatives.

The company has released its 2020 sustainability report in Chennai, summarising its global sustainability activities, performance and results in calendar year 2019, shows how it is leading sustainable manufacturing operations to minimise its environmental impact, driving responsible business practices and contributing to the communities in which it operates.

Flex’s sustainability efforts focus on five areas: people, community, environment, social innovation and integrity. They align with 20 goals the company has set out to reach by the end of 2020. These goals support the advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Global Compact’s principles. 

The year’s highlights include a 10-per-cent increase in Flex’s renewable energy year-over-year, a 20per-cent reduction in the rate of safety incidents from 2018 and the screening of 98 per cent of its new global suppliers using social and environmental criteria. Women represented 42 per cent of the company’s total work force across 30 countries and 30 per cent of its board of directors, while 93 per cent of its sites hosted community outreach activities, supported by 48,000-plus employee volunteer hours. Overall, it says, nearly 100,000 people benefited from 20-plus projects executed through the Flex Foundation.