Frequently Asked Questions About Sustainability at Corning
See below for our most frequently asked questions.
For additional questions or requests regarding our sustainability practices, please call 1-607-974-3565 or email sustain@corning.com.
Corning has achieved much by living our seven Values every day in every location in which we operate.
As a company we have become more diverse and inclusive; worked to make our facilities safer; made our environmental programs more innovative; and helped improve the quality of life in the communities where we operate.
Here are just a few examples of our achievements in recent years:
- Achieved pay equity at our U.S. sites, and are working toward global pay equity
- Realized a 50 percent energy intensity reduction at our global optical fiber and cable plants
- Celebrated the 50th anniversary of Corning’s formal diversity initiative in 2018
- Initiated our 11th solar energy project worldwide and our first in New York State at our Oneonta plant
- Implemented a Human Rights Policy, highlighting our commitment to providing every employee and contractor with a fair, safe, and healthy working environment free of discrimination or harassment
Our sustainability programs have resulted in numerous accolades and recognitions from government and non-government organizations (NGOs), ensuring us we’re moving in the right direction. Our efforts to further improve are reflected in rising scores by agencies that assess sustainability performance.
Some recent recognitions include:
- An "AA" rating with MSCI ESG putting Corning in the top 20 percent among its industry peers
- Recognition as one of America’s Best Large Employers by Forbes
- Sixth consecutive ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year recognitions, and fourth consecutive Sustained Excellence designations from the Environmental Protection Agency
- Fourth Best-of-the-Best Corporation for Inclusion recognitions from the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)
- 13th year receiving a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index
- Fifth year of Corning Optical Communications receiving the AT&T Global Supplier Diversity Crystal Award
We accomplish our sustainability goals through the diligence of employees in many functional areas across Corning that include Global Environment & Sustainability, Global Energy Management, Global Supply Management, Health and Safety, Law, Human Resources, Investor Relations, Corning Enterprises, the Corning Foundation, and Corporate Communications.
Additionally, our success can be attributed to employees in our divisions and operating facilities who are committed to executing sound business practices that help make Corning a sustainable company, and to those who dedicate their time and efforts to helping others in our communities.
Sustainable business practices have always been at the core of Corning’s DNA. They’re what guide a company to do the right thing for the right reasons. They’re what make companies good corporate citizens and neighbors. They’re what keep a company like Corning viable for 168 years and beyond.
Sustainability impacts everyone associated with Corning, and influences how we treat our employees, contractors, suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders.
Sustainability is also essential in protecting our environment for future generations to come, something Corning is committed to helping achieve. We’re doing our part through the ongoing improvement of our products, processes, and services.
Our stakeholders are very interested in our sustainability-related activities, whether they are customers, investors, our board of directors, our neighbors, and current and future employees.
For that reason, our additional focus on sustainability will provide true business value, whether we are saving money by reducing energy or water use, contributing more to the communities in which we operate, being viewed as an even more valuable investment by socially-responsible investors, or being an employer of choice.
The future of sustainability at Corning is bright. Currently, we are pursuing more renewable energy opportunities, making more environmentally-friendly products, working to increase our percentage of women employees and the diversity of our leadership, progressing toward 100 percent global pay equity, furthering diversity in our supply chain, and establishing a more formal corporate sustainability program that will provide a robust roadmap for future success.
These types of practices have helped the company sustain itself over the past 168 years, and it’s our hope they will guide Corning into the next 168 years and beyond.