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Reducing Our Environmental Footprint
Investing in Our Communities
Photo: Homeboy Industries, used with permission
Boeing's contributions to Homeboy Industries helps at-risk youths receive job training in solar panel skills.
We believe that Boeing's success is linked to the vitality and quality of life of our communities, and the environment is one of our five strategic areas for community investments. Our contributions range from time, money and resources, as well as innovative technology solutions, to address environmental challenges and strengthen communities around the world. In 2009, we made cash contributions of approximately $7 million to support environmental activities at community-based organizations.
We consider several priorities when awarding these grants, including:
- Inspiring environmental citizenship and educating citizens to minimize their impact on the environment,
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing recycling and encouraging energy efficiency, and
- Protecting and restoring critical natural assets and habitat.
Boeing's corporate giving program is devoting a growing portion of its contributions to meeting environmental needs. In 2007, 7 percent of Boeing's Global Corporate Citizenship contributions went to environmental programs. By 2009, that portion had increased to 20 percent.
Homeboy Industries, a Los Angeles-based industry, is one of Boeing's grant recipients. It assists at-risk and formerly gang-involved youth to become positive and contributing members of society through job placement, training and education. Boeing provided funds to the Homeboy's Solar Panel Training and Certification Program. Individuals who complete the 10-week program often find employment quickly with the assistance of an employment counselor.
This environmental focus to our corporate giving programs extends to international efforts. As a principal partner in Engineers Without Borders – USA, Boeing is contributing our unique expertise and financial support to community projects that require sustainable engineering solutions. In one recent project, Boeing employees used their skills to help deliver clean water to a health clinic in the African nation of Malawi.
Employee Volunteerism
Boeing employees use their time, talent and resources to improve communities around the globe.
Many company-sponsored volunteer opportunities are environmental projects, including more than 100 Earth Day events involving Boeing employees around the globe in 2010. In addition, Boeing employees are involved in recycling projects, and cleanup projects along highways, trails and waterfronts. Boeing employees donate thousands of hours of their own time each year to support these company-sponsored volunteer efforts.
One global example of volunteerism occurred in June 2009 when Boeing employees in Moscow, Beijing, Southern California and Denver, Colo., participated in projects supporting Plant Conservation Day. To support this event, Boeing teamed with an international nonprofit organization that works to protect endangered plant species and encourage plant diversity around the world.
In Moscow, approximately 50 employees, family and friends teamed with 150 children from local schools to assist with a rare plant donation and help to educate the children on endangered plant species and medicinal plants in the Moscow region. In Beijing, Boeing China employees joined in an activity to protect cypripedium macranthum, a threatened indigenous plant.
Similar activities occurred across the United States. For example, employees in Southern California planted trees at the Dubnoff Center, an educational and clinical agency for children. In Denver, employees of Jeppesen, a Boeing subsidiary, helped educate more than 1,500 students about native plant life.
Photo: Boeing Photo
Employees and family members cleaning the shores of Darby Creek near Philadelphia, one of the many environmental efforts involving Boeing volunteers in Europe, Asia and North America.
Supporting Habitat Protection and Restoration
Protecting human health and the environment in the communities where we operate remains a top priority.
In late 2009, Boeing sponsored a volunteer cleanup of the Fujimae Tidal Flats in Japan. Participants included employees from Boeing Japan, employees of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, a major Boeing supplier, and children from the Nagoya area. Fujimae, located on the Nagoya coast, is recognized as internationally important by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and is Japan's biggest stopover for migratory birds. The cleanup followed a series of gatherings in which the students learned about the ecosystem of Fujimae.
In Spain, Boeing works with the Cobeña Botanic Gardens and Environmental School to help preserve endangered plant species near the Madrid Barajas airport. The Environmental School, built in 2009, heightens environmental awareness through a program that gives children and young adults with mental disabilities the opportunity to lead in teaching about the environment.