OpenText announces guiding framework to achieving ESG goals

OpenText has announced the launch of the OpenText Zero-In Initiative, the company's guiding framework to achieving global impact goals related to its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitments and programs.

Affirming the OpenText promise of using technology for good, the OpenText Zero-In Initiative is focused on specific, measurable goals that will leverage data to enable the organisation to help move the dial on critical global challenges, the company states.

Mark J. Barrenechea, OpenText CEO and CTO, says, "At OpenText, we believe the future of growth is both sustainable and inclusive. The OpenText Zero-In Initiative defines our long-term aspirations and outlines our tangible plans and programs to achieving our bold aspirations.

"OpenText is in a unique position to enable our customers to be climate innovators through digital transformation, as well as by leading by example. And we intend to do just that."

The OpenText Zero-In Initiative is centred around three pillars:

• Zero Footprint: OpenText is committed to an emissions reduction target of 50% by 2030 and net zero by 2040 for scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions from a baseline of fiscal year 2022 as well as zero-waste to landfill from operations by 2030. The company is also prioritising helping customers move to the cloud.
• Zero Barriers: OpenText is focused on the advancement of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I), by committing to having a majority ethnically diverse workforce by 2030, 50/50 gender parity within key roles by 2030, and 40% women in leadership positions at all management levels by 2030.
• Zero Compromise: OpenText is committed to achieving its Zero Footprint and Zero Barrier goals via a values-based approach that is rooted in science, transparency, and integrity, supporting accountability, and continuing to help foster a culture of tech for good.

OpenText recently released its annual Corporate Citizenship Report which outlines the OpenText Zero-In Initiative in detail and provides a baseline for tracking the business success against its ESG aspirations. The OpenText Zero-In Initiative includes ambitious targets that OpenText believes will help drive real and lasting impact.

Barrenechea adds, "The launch of the OpenText Zero-In Initiative enables us to continue to give back to our employees, our customers, and our communities, while zeroing-in on what matters most. We intend to bring software and innovative technologies to market to enable our customers and ourselves to have a significant and immediate impact on ESG and climate goals."

Throughout the past year, OpenText has brought several initiatives and programs to life that align with and support the company's zero-in goals, including the following.

The launch of the (ED&I) Navigator Internship program: This program included a partnership with Lakehead University to offer internship opportunities to Indigenous students enrolled at the university. The company welcomed its first cohort of interns this past spring as the students interned remotely in OpenText's software engineering, marketing, finance, IT, and human resource departments. The ED&I Navigator Internship program was also extended to several students from Howard University in the United States.

Sponsoring schools in Poland that welcomed Ukrainian refugee children: OpenText has supported humanitarian efforts in Ukraine since March 2022 and has continued to find new ways to help the people of Ukraine throughout the ongoing crisis. Most recently, the company partnered with five schools in Poznan, Poland who between them, have welcomed more than 600 Ukrainian students into their classrooms. OpenText provided a financial donation to each school to help cover items such as laptops, Ukrainian textbooks, translation software, lockers, and sporting equipment.

Enhancing benefits to support the wellbeing of employees: Throughout 2022, OpenText introduced several new employee benefits intended to better support the evolving needs of its employees. Additionally, OpenText signed the HRC business statement earlier this year, which calls for public leaders to abandon or oppose efforts to enact anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.

Supporting communities in times of need: Providing support for the communities where employees live and work is a priority for OpenText. As part of its corporate giving pillars, the company provides financial support for global disaster relief and introduces employee matching initiatives to help make a greater impact. 

To complement the Zero-In initiative, OpenText has launched a global campaign titled Be a Climate Innovator to raise awareness of how companies can apply Information Management to innovate for a more sustainable future. Together with customers, OpenText is making a bold goal to save 1% of the world's trees over 10 years, through Digital Transformation.

According to OpenText, the digital world can work to protect the physical one and ensure a thriving planet for future generations.