Waters Corporation has showcased its significant strides in sustainability, diversity, and governance through its 2024 report.
The company remains focused on reducing its environmental impact. It is also dedicated to building a workforce representative of society. Additionally, the company aims to drive long-term stakeholder value through effective governance.
“At Waters, we are committed to delivering shareholder value while positively impacting the world,” said Dr. Udit Batra, President and CEO of Waters Corporation.
Batra added, “Our progress includes surpassing environmental targets ahead of schedule and advancing STEM education in underserved communities. We have also maintained strong governance. This earned us the honor of 2024 Public Company Board of the Year by the National Association of Corporate Directors, New England Chapter.”
Environmental Achievements
Waters Corporation made substantial progress on environmental goals, demonstrating its commitment to a sustainable future:
- Greenhouse Gas Reductions: Reduced Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 36% from a 2016 baseline, exceeding the 35% target two years early.
- Landfill Waste Reduction: Achieved a 50% decrease in landfill waste from a 2019 baseline, meeting the 2025 goal ahead of schedule. The company is now on track to achieve zero landfill waste by 2030.
- Water Conservation: Reduced water use intensity by 29% from a 2019 baseline through infrastructure improvements and enhanced manufacturing processes across global facilities.
- Science-Based Targets: Committed to aligning emission reduction targets with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for a 1.5°C future.
Social Impact Initiatives
Waters is fostering inclusivity and educational equity through several impactful programs:
- Diverse Recruitment: Increased candidate diversity in recruitment by 6% compared to the 2022 baseline, with 77% of candidate pools featuring diverse representation.
- Waters Student Academy Expansion: Reached over 380 students from historically underrepresented communities in STEM fields and doubled the number of summer interns.
- University Pathways Program: Launched to support students’ career development and education, creating a more diverse talent pipeline.
Governance Excellence
The company upheld its commitment to strong governance, earning recognition for its leadership and accountability:
- Board of the Year Award: Named 2024 Public Company Board of the Year by the National Association of Corporate Directors, New England Chapter.
- Enterprise Risk Management: Strengthened Board engagement in managing enterprise risks.
- Transparent Reporting: Continued aligning with industry frameworks such as the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).
Recognition for Sustainability Efforts
Waters’ achievements have been widely recognized, with 14 awards and honours since 2023, including:
- Barron’s 2024 100 Most Sustainable Companies (U.S.)
- Dow Jones Sustainability Index
- Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index
- U.S. News & World Report – Best Companies to Work For 2023-2024
- Public Company Board of the Year by the National Association of Corporate Directors, New England Chapter
Commitment to the Future
As per the press release, Waters Corporation remains steadfast in its mission to make a positive global impact.
The company sets a benchmark for sustainability and corporate responsibility. It does so by exceeding environmental goals, fostering inclusivity, and upholding robust governance.
