Equinix Highlights Latest Progress on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Commitments in Annual Sustainability Report

Equinix, Inc. has released its 2021 Sustainability Report which outlines progress, innovation and accomplishments on key environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments from the past year. The report also highlights diversity, inclusion and belonging, and the company's commitment to becoming climate neutral globally by 2030.

ESG topics have long been an integral part of Equinix's corporate agenda and align to the material issues that impact its stakeholders, business and the world at large. New government-mandated regulations are being enacted and proposed globally, making Equinix's commitment to creating a more sustainable future for the environment and the communities it serves that much more important.

This commitment, backed by science-based targets for emissions reduction, a strategic green financing plan and a comprehensive sustainability agenda, is a critical step in advancing the company's investments and innovations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and reflects the role Equinix can play in greening its customers' digital supply chains and addressing the evolving needs of key stakeholders. The company has made significant traction in meeting this commitment, with over 95% renewable coverage for its portfolio in FY21, reaching over 90% for the fourth consecutive year.

Equinix has continued to make significant progress on its sustainability goals and looks to build a business that reflects its purpose to bring the world together on its platform to create innovations that will enrich our work, life and planet. Highlights from FY21 include:

Became the first company in the data center industry to commit to becoming climate neutral globally by 2030 and set science-based targets for its operations and supply chain Reached 95% renewable energy coverage across its global data center footprint—the fourth consecutive year in which the company has achieved greater than 90% coverage

Became a founding signatory of the EU Climate Neutral Data Centre Operator Pact and Self-Regulatory Initiative, which is leading advocacy and steering the development of sustainability requirements for the EU data center industry to become climate neutral by 2030

Issued $4.9 billion of green bonds as of April 2022, making Equinix the fourth largest global issuer in the investment-grade green bond market

Received a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Corporate Equality Index (CEI), ranking among the "Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality"

Placed #1 in Real Estate in JUST Capital's 2022 ranking of America's most "just" companies

Beginning in 2022, Equinix became one of the first data center companies to tie executive compensation to ESG performance. By implementing a modifier to short-term incentives for VP-level employees and above, including executive officers, the company aims to hold its leaders accountable for achieving both environmental and diversity objectives

Equinix's global reach spans 70 metros across 31 countries, and customers continue to see Equinix as the best manifestation of the digital edge. Its scaled ecosystems enable proximity to the "who's who" of the digital world, with 10,000+ customers consisting of more than half the Fortune 500 and a commanding share of cloud on-ramps. Equinix's interconnection platform now consists of more than 428,000 interconnections fueling the digital economy. These advantages are strongly aligned to market trends and allow Equinix to continue to extend its market leadership.

Keith Taylor, Chief Financial Officer, Equinix added:

"Our customers, partners, investors and employees are focused on sustainability more than ever. In the past year, we have seen a substantial increase in interest from customers on how Equinix helps them meet their sustainability and ESG objectives. Responding to our customers' needs is just one of the reasons we are devoted to our "Future First" sustainability strategy that outlines our key ESG initiatives and responsibilities, including diversity, inclusion and belonging (DIB), science-based targets and our commitment to becoming climate neutral globally."

Source: Equinix newsroom