UNFCU Publishes 2020 Impact Report: Maintains Climate Neutrality and Identifies 2025 Impact Goals

The United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU) released its 2020 Impact Report on June 4. This marked the conclusion of the inaugural 5-year Sustainability Action Plan, where 7 out of the 8 goals from 2015 had been achieved. In continuation of this, the report presented 12 objectives that the organization will pursue for the next 5 years.

Achievements spotlighted in UNFCU's 2020 Impact Report include:

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

From now until 2025, the UNFCU will work towards achieving 12 new objectives that are intended to 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 objectives were developed with input from community stakeholders.

At the launch of the report on June 4, stakeholders expressed their satisfaction with the achieved results and their eagerness to see the realization of the 12 new objectives.

“The SDGs are a key driver of UNFCU having a positive environmental, social, and economic impact on society,” said Pamela Agnone, executive 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.”

“Proud of our results, we believe in accelerating action,” said Prasad Surapaneni, also a GSP executive co-sponsor. “Our 2025 Impact Goals are aligned with the work of our sponsor, the United Nations. UNFCU has set aggressive targets that we are committed to attaining. We want to do our part to lead by example, innovate, and expand our advocacy to build a better world.”

The 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.