Citizens Energy Group has named Stewardship as one of our core values, and we see this as including the sustainability of our natural environment, our ability to continue providing essential utility services now and in the future, and the strengthening of the communities we serve. Since 2013, Citizens has modeled our resilience efforts on the "EBCs of Sustainability"—a focus on the Environment, our Businesses, and the Communities in which we live and work. In 2023, we further mapped these efforts to the list of United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to underscore the breadth of what our sustainable work encompasses, and to highlight how everyone can play a role in working toward a better world for all. Aligning with the United Nations' SDG framework gives additional depth to Citizens’ sustainability commitment, allowing us to better demonstrate to our stakeholders the strides we are making on multiple fronts of sustainable action.
This new alignment is demonstrated in our most recent Sustainability Report, and the graphic on this page shows how Citizens has mapped each one of the United Nations' SDGs within our traditional sustainability framework targeting our Environment, our Business, and our Community.
Some of the ways we address the SDGs are more obvious that others: International sustainability goals like "Clean Water & Sanitation", "Sustainable Cities & Communities" and "Affordable & Clean Energy" have been central to Citizens Energy Group since our founders sought to ensure the long-term viability of the community. Providing safe and reliable drinking water, and managing the wastewater generated in Central Indiana is central to public health and a strong economy. Protecting and enhancing water quality ensures habitat for aquatic life, plants and animals, while at the same time enhancing quality of life through recreational opportunities along the banks of the White River.
But the ways in which Citizens addresses other SDGs may be less obvious: We rely on partnerships with community organizations that are better equipped to tackle goals like "No Poverty", "Zero Hunger", or "Quality Education". Some of these partnership are closer to Citizens (like our Yvonne Perkins Legacy Fund which supports educational scholarships). But many more are forged through philanthropic giving to organizations that are already dedicated to work that advances the SDGs. (Read more at the link about how applications for Philanthropic Partnerships also now fall within the same Sustainable Development Goal framework.)
Aligning ourselves with the United Nations’ SDGs is our call to action to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. Realizing the benefits sought through the SDGs requires effort by individuals, organizations and governments around the world to achieve. It may seem impossible that Citizens Energy Group can make an impact in all areas, however we want to impress upon our employees, our customers, our stakeholders, and our community that everyone--no matter the size of their role--can play a part in achieving these goals.
Learn more about our recent sustainability efforts in our latest Sustainability Report:
Read the 2023 Sustainability Report