Our commitment to the environment
Americas Corporate Responsibility
EY—Earthwatch Americas Ambassadors
Expeditions
Employees are a driver of
the green agenda
EY’s Climate Change and Sustainability
Services practice recently completed
a survey with the cooperation of the
GreenBiz Group, Six growing trends
in corporate sustainability, and found
that for executives at medium- and
large-sized companies, sustainability
issues, reporting and ratings are all
rising in importance.
Interestingly, the survey also found
that to a great extent, company
employees are a key stakeholder
group. At EY, the grassroots
environmental efforts of our people
have been a powerful catalyst for
greening our own operations. By
arranging special opportunities such
as our Earthwatch Expeditions, we are
able to keep our best people engaged
in new and meaningful ways.
Supporting sustainability in the field
and in the office
Expeditions that benefit scientists,
entrepreneurs and rainforests alike
Over the past decade, corporate sustainability has
evolved from a feel-good initiative to a business
imperative. Customers value it, employees expect
it, and other stakeholders rely on it.
Brazil
Earthwatch Ambassadors travel to Brazil to help
scientists collect data on how climate change is
affecting the rainforest, engaging in tasks such
as measuring trees, identifying leaf samples
and documenting biodiversity through tracking
different animal species. For their skills-based
project, the Ambassadors work closely with an
ecotourism cooperative and a private farm to make
suggestions on cash flow optimization, sales and
marketing strategies, and new product ideas.
Since 2009, we have made it possible for a
select group of early career EY professionals from
the US, Canada, Israel, Mexico, South America and
Central America to gain hands-on experience with
both the science and the business of sustainability
through the EY-Earthwatch Americas Expeditions.
EY collaborates with the Earthwatch Institute, a
not-for-profit organization that engages people
worldwide in scientific field research related to
conservation and sustainable development. The
volunteers help Earthwatch scientists gather data
and also use their workplace skills to assist local
farmers, businesses and not-for-profit organizations
in adopting sustainable business practices.
The Americas Earthwatch Ambassadors program
has proven so successful that it has been replicated
in EY’s EMEIA Area (Europe, the Middle East, India
and Africa). In fall 2011, it launched in Asia-Pacific,
and in Japan, small groups of professionals are
now participating in short-duration projects
with Earthwatch.
Mexico
The program expanded to Mexico in 2014, where
Ambassadors assist scientists in collecting data
on the presence of endemic species and water
quality in the Xochimilco wetlands. The data will be
used to increase local awareness of the benefits of
traditional agriculture and subsequently, to improve
the health of the region’s ecosystem. For their
skills-based project, the Ambassadors work with
an environmental nonprofit to help increase local
awareness of sustainable farming through analyzing
cost-benefits and improving marketing strategies.
Costa Rica
For the first five years, Ambassadors also
took part in expeditions to Costa Rica, where
they helped scientists complete research on
environmentally sound and productive ways
to manage coffee production. In addition, they
worked with CoopeTarrazu, a coffee cooperative
which is committed to sustainable farming, on
various projects such as incentive compensation
and pricing.
Global mindset starts here
Want to learn more?
For many Ambassadors, the expedition is their first opportunity to
use their professional skills in an unfamiliar culture and language.
In the process, they develop a more global mindset and a more
inclusive leadership style. Ambassadors also expand their EY
network by developing relationships with like-minded professionals
across the Americas. And by participating in environmental field
research and working with small entrepreneurial companies and
local organizations, they better understand the ways in which
climate change affects the business world.
Employees of EY member firms in the Americas who would like to
apply for future expeditions can visit the Corporate Responsibility
Connection, http://cr.iweb.ey.com/. You can also visit our website:
www.ey.com/us/cr.
Earthwatch Ambassadors contribute
diverse perspectives
Dominick B., Tax, Climate Change and Sustainability Services,
Columbus, Ohio
Dominick volunteered for our very first Earthwatch expedition to
Costa Rica where he was part of a team that collected data on the
amount of carbon being absorbed by the rainforests, where coffee
growth is more sustainable than in open fields. The following year,
he returned as the leader of a team that assisted with a study of
pollinators and helped the coffee cooperative analyze a significant
pricing issue. In his client work, Dominick helps businesses identify
incentives for greening their operations. The insights that he is able
to offer his clients have expanded now that he has experienced
sustainability issues firsthand.
Dominique D., Assurance, Houston, Texas
Dominique joined a Costa Rican expedition as a volunteer in 2011
then served as the team leader for an expedition to Brazil in
2014. Dominique and the EY team in Costa Rica assisted research
scientists in gathering field data and conducted a skills-based
project for the Cooperguara Cooperative focused on sustainability.
She believes that “collectively, we can pay it forward by inserting
ourselves in situations that would better the community-at-large.”
For Dominique, building her conversational Portuguese speaking
skills is another benefit, especially since she is assigned to a project
for a client based in Brazil.
Milena R., Brand, Marketing and Communications, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Milena went on the first Brazilian expedition. She has always had a
strong interest in sustainability and found that collecting data about
trees dying in a changing climate has increased her desire to help
preserve the environment for the next generation. As a member of
EY’s Talent Team, Milena was able to use her knowledge of human
resources to help the local business with its human resources
structure. One of the great advantages of the expedition for her
was getting to know a diverse group of EY colleagues from other
practices in the Americas. A year later, with the support of EY’s
Brazil leadership, she was able to meet members of the next team
expedition at the Sao Paulo office, where they were introduced to
EY’s thriving business in Brazil.
Matt H., Advisory, Financial Services Office,
Charlotte, North Carolina
Matt initially viewed volunteering for Earthwatch as a way to serve
a personal interest in the environment. However, his experiences
convinced him that sustainability issues affect all of our clients. After
a valuable expedition, he returned as a team leader and helped Dr.
John Banks of the University of Washington gather data for a study
of the relationship between pollinators, coffee yield and the habitat
in which the coffee is grown, whether under the shade canopy of the
forest or in the open. The team also worked on a sustainability plan
for the coffee cooperative.
EY: green from roots to shoots
Our internal sustainability efforts focus on energy
consumption, waste reduction and employee engagement.
Some highlights:
• I► n the Americas, we reduced our carbon footprint by
7.5% between FY 2008 and FY 2013.
• M
► ore than 50% of the US firm’s leased office space
(in terms of square footage) is in buildings with
LEED certifications.
• O
► ur Canadian firm implemented a “zero waste” pilot
in its Toronto office.
• I► n Israel, all offices installed thermostats for air
conditioning that are pre-set to turn-off at a set time.
• O
► ur Brazilian firm reduced paper consumption by 1.8
million sheets in a single year.
• I► n Mexico City, volunteers planted 4,500 trees as part
of a reforestation project.
• F
► inally, we are constantly inspired by our own employees,
whose grassroots EcoCare Network of approximately 850
volunteers across the US organize environmental efforts
within our offices and in our communities.
EY | Assurance | Tax | Transactions | Advisory
About EY
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory
services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust
and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world
over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our
promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role
in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and
for our communities.
EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more,
of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of
which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK
company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.
For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.
© 2014 EYGM Limited.
All Rights Reserved.
EYG no. CV0108
1403-1211399
ED none
This material has been prepared for general informational purposes only and is not intended
to be relied upon as accounting, tax, or other professional advice. Please refer to your
advisors for specific advice.
ey.com