(Canadian Solar, 29.Jul.2021) — Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ) announced the release of its 2020 Sustainability Report, which presents the company’s commitments, progress and achievements towards contributing to a better and more sustainable future from an environmental, social and governance (ESG) perspective.
The sustainability disclosures in this report are aligned with global standards, namely SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board), TCFD (Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures) and GRI (Global Reporting Initiative). The full Sustainability Report is available here.
HIGHLIGHTS
Environmental
- In 2020, the company achieved reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, manufacturing energy intensity, manufacturing water intensity and manufacturing waste intensity of 20%, 19%, 18% and 44%, respectively, from the 2017 baselines.
- The company set ambitious 2025 targets to reduce GHG emissions, energy intensity, water intensity and waste intensity by 37%, 36%, 45% and 49%, respectively, from the 2020 levels.
- Likewise, the company pledges to powering 100% of its global operations with renewable energy before the end of the decade.
Social
- The company has also set 5-year diversity goals. By 2025, Canadian Solar aims to increase the share of its global female workforce to 40% (from 35% in 2020) and its female share in management positions to 30% (from 22% in 2020).
- The company has implemented and improved on its safety policies and procedures, including an active response to COVID-19 and maintaining a safe working environment for employees.
- Over the past two years, the company established the Canadian Solar University aiming to help employees gain a broader understanding of the business and industry, drive innovation and more effective collaboration.
- Committing to a responsible supply chain, the company has concurrently published its Supplier Code of Conduct and requires its suppliers to adhere to the Code. This policy sets forth the company’s standards on human rights, environmental protection, health, safety and business ethics.
Governance
- The company has appointed Ms. Hanbing Zhang as Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) to lead the company’s ESG efforts. Her biography is available at the bottom of this page. The CSO leads the ESG working group who works closely with the company’s management and operations teams to integrate its ESG considerations into the Company’s strategic decision-making process.
- At the board level, the Company has also established a Sustainability Committee to oversee the company’s ESG practices, including but not limited to overseeing climate-related risks and opportunities, while monitoring progress and advising on strategic measures related to the long-term sustainability of the company.
Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO, said “We are very pleased to announce the publication of our 2020 Sustainability Report, which was prepared in line with our revamped sustainability strategy. The saying goes that ‘what doesn’t get measured doesn’t get managed’, so now we are rigorously monitoring a range of sustainability factors, set ambitious targets, and incorporate ESG in every major business decision we make. We will continue to deliver clean, affordable and reliable energy to our customers; lead the global effort to decarbonize our economies; and Make the Difference to all our stakeholders.”
Ms. Hanbing Zhang, Chief Sustainability Officer, added, “For Canadian Solar, sustainability is more than just environmental sustainability. We are strongly committed to building a safe, diverse and inclusive culture, and to contributing to a responsible supply chain. We will continue to polish both our practices and disclosures over the coming years and look forward to engaging with our stakeholders on the ways in which we can improve further.”
Ms. Hanbing Zhang is Corporate Vice President of Global Marketing at CSI Solar Co., Ltd., Canadian Solar’s majority-owned subsidiary. She was previously the Global Head of Marketing at Canadian Solar from 2005 to 2020. Ms. Zhang founded Women in Solar Energy (WISE) in 2019, an industry association to promote the participation and career development of women in the solar industry, and is the president of WISE. Ms. Zhang holds a Master of Economics degree from the University of Manitoba in Canada.
____________________
