When it Comes to Sustainability, Avaya Means Business

Corporations produce just about everything we buy, use, and throw away, creating an inconceivable amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the process.  Emissions of GHGs are linked to climate change, which is causing widespread changes to weather patterns and is linked to hotter temperatures, droughts, more severe storms, flooding and other natural disasters. Energy companies, food and beverage companies, the transportation sector and, yes, technology providers have all played a role. According to the United Nations recent synthesis report of the first global stocktake, “global emissions are not in line with modeled global mitigation pathways consistent with the temperature goal of the Paris Climate Agreement, and there is a rapidly narrowing window to raise ambition and implement existing commitments in order to limit warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.”

But when you know better, you do better.  That’s why Avaya is moving the needle with near-term science-based emission reduction targets classified as “ambitious” by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). Science-based targets guide companies in how much and how quickly they need to reduce their GHG emissions to prevent the terrible effects of climate change, and SBTi is enabling thousands of companies to set science-based targets to reduce their emissions to as close to zero as possible.  

Avaya’s Climate Change Commitment

Avaya commits to reduce scope 1 GHG emissions (emissions produced directly by Avaya) and scope 2 GHG emissions (emissions caused indirectly by Avaya from the purchase of electricity) 50 percent by FY2030 from a FY2020 base year. We also commit to reduce scope 3 GHG emissions from use of sold products 55 percent per million USD gross profit within the same timeframe. These targets have been assessed against SBTi's quantitative and qualitative criteria and have been validated in accordance with their protocol.

Addressing indirect emissions is difficult for many reasons, but doing so has the potential to help prevent the worst impacts of climate change. This is a key priority for Avaya as scope 3 represents the majority of the company’s total emissions. By focusing on reducing the emissions from the use of our products, Avaya hopes to unlock new innovations and collaborations that could help change the world.

Avaya’s Sustainability Approach

Scientists warn that if we don’t collectively step up to reverse climate change, rising sea levels will affect 1 billion people by 2050, the number of plants and animals at risk of losing more than half their habitats will double, and severe heat waves and floods will affect millions or even billions of people. We’re not talking hundreds of years from now; much of this is happening now and will continue during our lifetime, affecting our livelihoods and communities.

Avaya is working to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable economic growth in five ways:

1. Environment

The environmental effects of climate change are clear, several which were noted earlier. Corporations contribute to the problem, and so we must contribute to solutions. Avaya has stepped up by setting ambitious science-based targets that have been validated by STBi.

2. Communities

Climate change has far reaching impacts on communities, from coastal areas affected by flooding to dry climates made only drier by record-breaking heat waves. Wildfires, hurricanes, and storms made worse by climate change have put immense strain on infrastructure, public health, and resource availability.

Giving back to our local communities has always been important at Avaya, and we continually look for new ways to do more. This year, Avaya launched a new volunteer time off policy as part of its 8^th annual Month of Giving initiative to provide additional support to employees who want to do their part to help promote sustainable economic growth.   

3. People

Providing a platform and safe environment for employees to learn and grow together is vital to Avaya’s Inclusion principle. Avaya launched Avaya United, the official shared voice for Avaya’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives.

Led by CEO, Alan Masarek, it serves as the thought leadership hub where representatives from each of Avaya’s Employee Resource Groups — Avaya United Communities — come together to spearhead collective action, set and support DEI&B objectives, track progress against the company’s commitments and create an environment where people can thrive.

4. Customers

It can be difficult for organizations, especially global corporations with complex operations, to establish customer trust regarding sustainability. We want to show our customers that we’re making a difference. We want to nurture our relationships with them through transparency, authenticity, and data-backed results.

This year we launched the Avaya Trust Center to continually improve transparency about Avaya’s policies, practices, and technologies that help our customers ensure the security, compliance, and privacy of their data across Avaya products and services.

5. Suppliers

Avaya remains committed to responsible procurement along its value chain and is actively working on supply chain strategies that will strengthen its resilience and promote supplier diversity. Our annual Conflict Minerals Report describes how our due diligence efforts align to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s guidance for responsible supply chains of minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas.

2030 is only a few years away, and I am confident that Avaya will continue to evolve as we move forward along our journey of becoming a sustainable business.  Learn more about Avaya’s sustainability efforts.