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Waters Corporation's Commitment to Sustainability

Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT), a leader in analytical instruments and software, has reported impressive progress in its sustainability journey. The company announced that it has successfully reduced its Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by an outstanding 36% compared to its 2016 levels, surpassing its goal two years ahead of schedule. These results reflect Waters' strong commitment to environmental stewardship and corporate responsibility.

Dr. Udit Batra, President and CEO of Waters, expressed pride in these achievements, stating, "At Waters, we are dedicated to delivering shareholder value while positively impacting the world. We are making strong progress in reducing our environmental footprint, including an increased focus on renewable energy procurement. Our early achievement of these greenhouse gas reduction targets signifies our dedication to sustainable practices."

Environmental Initiatives

In its latest report, Waters highlighted several key environmental initiatives:

1. Greenhouse Gas Reduction: Achieving a 36% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions demonstrates Waters' proactive approach to mitigating climate change.
2. Waste Management: The company has succeeded in reducing landfill waste by 50% since 2019 and is on track to achieve a goal of zero waste to landfills by 2030.
3. Water Usage: Through improved infrastructure and practices across its global facilities, the organization has decreased water use intensity by 29% since 2019.
4. Setting Future Targets: Waters is committed to establishing science-based emission reduction targets aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), ensuring its operations support a 1.5°C future.

Social Impact

Waters is also making significant strides in social responsibility, particularly in enhancing diversity and promoting STEM education. Key social outreach efforts include:

• - Diversity in Recruitment: The company has improved candidate diversity in its recruitment process, increasing the proportion of diverse candidates by 6%, with 77% of candidate slates containing diversity representation.
• - Waters Student Academy: This initiative has expanded to reach over 380 students from historically underrepresented communities in STEM fields, doubling the number of summer internships available.
• - University Pathways Program: This innovative program supports students' career development and education while fostering a diverse talent pipeline, showing Waters' commitment to cultivating the future workforce.

Governance and Recognition

Apart from environmental and social initiatives, Waters has received accolades for its governance practices. The company was named Public Company Board of the Year by the National Association of Corporate Directors, recognizing its strong governance and oversight practices, particularly in managing enterprise risk.

Waters is also committed to transparency and accountability, aligning its reporting with various industry frameworks such as the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).

Celebrating Sustainability Achievements

In recognition of its ongoing sustainability efforts, Waters has been honored with 14 awards since 2023, including:

• - Selection for Barron's 100 Most Sustainable Companies (U.S.)
• - Receipt of My Green Lab Accountability, Consistency, and Transparency (ACT) Labels
• - Inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index
• - A commendable score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index.

Conclusion

Waters Corporation's achievements reflect not only its commitment to sustainability but also its proactive approach to corporate social responsibility. With a clear vision for the future, the company continues to lead by example, demonstrating that businesses can effectively integrate environmental, social, and governance practices into the core of their operations. As Waters moves forward, it stands poised to make a significant impact on both its industry and the broader society. For more insights, the full 2024 ESG Report is available on the Waters website.