LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y.–United Nations FCU is reporting it attained seven out of the eight goals it set for itself with its inaugural five-year Sustainability Action Plan, while also announcing a new set of goals for the next five years.
The results were released as part of UNFCU’s 2020 Impact Report (PDF).
According to United Nations FCU, the accomplishments have included:
- 100% climate neutral since 2016
- 82% Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED)-certified office space by square footage
- 60% reduction in paper use, since 2015
- Fully divested its investment portfolio from a small exposure to companies in the fossil fuels exploration, or wholesale distribution industries
- Only credit union to have earned the Mortgage Bankers Association’s 2020 Residential Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Award
- UNFCU Foundation enabled 3,400 marginalized women and youth to sustain a path out of poverty
New Set of Goals
In its 2020 Impact Report, UNFCU also announced a new set of goals for 2025, developed with input from community stakeholders.
According to UNFCU, it has defined 12 objectives where it can have a direct impact on nine of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These range from influencing its supply chain to furthering the UNFCU-led United in Sustainability Credit Union Network.
“The SDGs are a key driver of UNFCU having a positive environmental, social, and economic impact on society,” said Pamela Agnone, executive co-sponsor of the UNFCU Global Sustainability Program (GSP). “We have remained climate neutral for five years running. Our commitment to development opportunities for staff through diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives saw new leaders emerge within our organization. In 2020, the UNFCU Foundation worked even more closely with partners, transforming the lives of marginalized communities hit hardest by COVID-19. As a cooperative, we recognize our shared responsibility towards advancing progress under the SDGs.”
Drawn From Best Practices
UNFCU said its 2020 Impact Report draws from best practices in the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards. The report includes environmental sustainability performance metrics independently reviewed by sustainability experts from Envision Realty Services and Kosmenko & Co.