NEW YORK, June 23, 2009 — Verizon's latest corporate responsibility report highlights how the company is using its technology, resources and employees to address societal challenges such as improving health care, increasing energy efficiency and conservation, and playing a role in the recovery of the nation's economy.
The recently released, 53-page report features a letter from Verizon Chairman and CEO Ivan Seidenberg in which he explains that the company's sustained history of corporate citizenship has been nourished by a belief that providing better ways to communicate is inherently valuable to society.
"Few companies touch as many lives, or reach as many communities, as Verizon," Seidenberg wrote. "[Verizon's] networks are critical not just to Verizon's growth but to that of the economy as a whole in that they are a platform for the creativity, innovation and productivity that lie at the heart of true, sustainable value creation."
The featured areas of the document -- the company's fifth annual corporate responsibility report -- include:
* Internet Safety -- Verizon is focused on providing the best tools available to help customers have safe and secure experiences using all the company's products. In 2008, the company began offering free Parental Controls (www.verizon.net/parentalcontrol) service via Verizon Online. These free tools help parents protect children while on a mobile phone or watching TV. Verizon also continues an effort launched three years ago with the Partnership for a Child-Safe Internet, in which state attorneys general and company officials educate law enforcement agencies and community organizations and others about creating a safe online environment for children.
* Education -- In 2008, the Verizon Foundation's Thinkfinity.org attracted nearly 25 million visitors. The free Web site offers more than 55,000 educational resources across eight academic disciplines for teachers, community programs, parents and students. Last year alone, 28,000 teachers were trained to use Thinkfinity.org in the classroom.
* Environment -- Verizon's total energy reduction measures in 2008 reduced greenhouse-gas emissions by 83,900 metric tons. Verizon conducted a successful pilot project to install software that automatically senses when computers are not in use and puts them in "sleep" mode. Full rollout of this program in 2009, covering approximately 100,000 computers will deliver $7 million in energy savings. Verizon has increased its use of solar and fuel cell technology for backup power. Effective Jan. 1, Verizon established an Energy Star-like standard for telecom equipment, requiring the company's vendors to provide equipment that is 20 percent more energy efficient than the previous generation of equipment.
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