Webcor is taking steps to elevate its Corporate Social Responsibility efforts to the next level. On April 16, the Webcor ESG program was introduced externally with a press release and an episode of the Webcor at 50 podcast.

The ESG plan -- which stands for Environmental, Social, Governance -- has also been unveiled on a new detailed page on Webcor's external website.

Consumers are demanding companies like Webcor take action to address certain social and environmental challenges we face. Feedback from our people was used to develop our CSR strategy, which is focused on our stakeholder needs and the influence we can have to positively impact our built communities of tomorrow.

ESG programs have grown more prominent in recent years, especially among public companies accountable to shareholders and boards of directors. While Webcor is owned by Obayashi and is not publicly traded, the company's leadership has taken the bold step to emulate the efforts of these companies, which includes Obayashi. (See Obayashi’s 2020 report.)

People, Planet, and Performance are the three categories of Webcor's ESG program. Each category features multiple goals, each of which is bolstered by measurable objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs). According to Webcor President and CEO Jes Pedersen, "Establishing firm targets for each of the elements of our CSR strategy elevates and formalizes this aspect of our approach to being a purposeful company, which is to build solutions and better lives. Our plan shows true transparency and the ability to provide authenticity surrounding the impact we are trying to make. We are being transparent about where we are, even if we aren’t there yet."

Goals and Targets

In total, the program features 14 ambitious goals, each of which includes measurable targets; there are 35 targets in all. As Chief Operating Officer Matt Rossie noted in the podcast episode, reaching a target does not signal the end of the initiative. "When we achieve one target, we'll set a new one," he says.

Each category has an executive champion who is accountable for ensuring progress is made on each of the category's targets. "The targets are at the heart of the program," says Jenelle Shapiro, sustainability director. "Reporting our progress on each target regularly is a clear demonstration that we're not just talking the talk. It's also a way to hold ourselves accountable since we will know our efforts are being watched."

One target, by way of example -- part of the Waste Management goal in the Planet category -- calls for reducing total waste generated on jobsites by 2 percent annually. The KPI to be measured will be the average total waste diverted per square foot. The target is a 20 percent reduction by 2030.

"By setting these targets, everyone knows exactly what we're aiming to accomplish," Jes says. "That makes it easy to do the research and create a plan to get us there."

Following are the goals associated with each category:

People

• Occupational Health & Safety: Mold the Safety Management System to include input and participation from the entire company and sub partners to improve safety performance on projects.
• Diversity & Inclusion: Create a culture that supports diversity and inclusion throughout the organization at all levels.
• Training: Develop a comprehensive program that drives company performance and provides employees with the skills, knowledge, and competencies needed to progress in their careers.
• Healthy Workplaces: Create healthy workplaces for all jobsite and office environments.
• Donations & Volunteerism: Increase transparency and drive participation in the Webcor 1:1:1 program

Planet

• Climate Change & Carbon Emissions: Establish a corporate carbon commitment that addresses all aspects of our business.
• Waste Management: Restructure waste management approach for optimized landfill diversion and transparency.
• Transportation & Travel: Decarbonize corporate transportation.
• Community Impact: Expand recognition, collaboration, and participation of Green Team.

Performance

• Compliance Regulations & Certifications: Maintain supplemental/mandatory Corporate Ethics Program and a premier-level of support for all Preconstruction/Construction projects.
• Clean Energy: Deliver renewable energy to jobsites.
• Project Type Diversification: Diversify work within sustainability building types.
• Public Policy: Influence and lead change amongst local jurisdictions.
• External Reporting: Measure Performance of corporate social responsibility by utilizing consistent and transparent standards

Resources

• Read the press release
• Listen to the podcast episode
• Visit the CSR page on Webcor.com
• Read Jes's LinkedIn article

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