stc’s 2nd sustainability report revealed that spending on local content has increased to more than 18 billion Riyals (US$4.8 billion). This is in line with the group’s aim to achieve sustainability and create a positive environmental impact by supporting community development through the digital transformation process in the Kingdom. stc sponsors 292 projects that address environmental and social issues.
Along with stc’s adoption of responsible best practices and raising standards of sustainability in the ICT sector, the report revealed its efforts to decrease water use by 40% from 509,768m3 in 2019 to 303,789m3 in 2020, in addition to reducing the total electricity consumption by 16%, gasoline by 18%, and the use of paper documents in procurement by 100%.
The report reinforces the organisation’s message that in all its functions and activities, it is fully committed to managing the business in the most sustainable way possible. stc has also been developing a ‘Sustainability Platform’ to ensure it builds on the successes of 2020 and aims to make sustainability more transparent and accessible while raising the profile of activities, services and community initiatives, along with raising awareness for critical issues.
To achieve this end, stc has put in place three core services - a Volunteering Program where stc employees have the opportunity to enhance their participation in sustainable community development; Technical Enablement - a service that digitally transforms charities and non-profit organisations by providing them with digital solutions and platforms; and Knowledge Sharing - training courses used to build awareness of sustainability issues.
The report highlighted the ongoing effort the group faces in ensuring it operates as sustainably as possible and supports the national initiatives and projects with a sustainable impact through the incubator of entrepreneurship “InspireU” and the local content program "RAWAFED", along with the commitment stc has made to be carbon neutral as quickly as possible.
stc has also been using its Sustainability Management Committee, which began work in 2020, to build on previous successes and push the sustainability agenda further to engage and empower more stakeholders. Furthermore, the report outlines how stc has been aligning its business strategy with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a set of 17 goals addressing the global challenges the globe faces including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice. They are designed to protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.
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