DHS has released its first Sustainability Report, which builds on the foundation of years of Corporate Responsibility Reporting. The report specifically addresses the firm’s initiatives to promote economic, social, and environmental sustainability.

The firm’s inaugural Sustainability Report includes its first SASB disclosures and its second time aligning to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, as part of its efforts to provide meaningful insights and disclosures to stakeholders.

“At DHS, we believe each of us can have an impact—in our actions and in our words,” says Fernando Aguirre, Vice Chairman of DHS. “We will continue to speak up for what is right and to do our part to move all of us forward.

“This year has been a time of significant change. While the change has come with significant disruption, we are at what we hope is an inflection point—with a global focus on ending the coronavirus pandemic and addressing the pervasive racial inequity and injustice Black and Latinx people continue to face today. The last several months have demonstrated the power of a shared commitment: Governments, corporate citizens, communities—when working together—can have tremendous impact. It’s this belief that guides our sustainability work. I am heartened by the progress we have made, but I know we have much to do.”

Report Highlights

Responding to COVID-19

The report details how the firm’s business continuity planning and strong client relationships have helped it successfully navigate turbulent times and the extra steps taken to support its clients, associates, and communities.
Almost overnight, 97% of the firm’s global workforce switched to full-time telework in March 2020. In a global workforce survey conducted a month later, 88% of associates were satisfied with the way the firm responded to their needs and 82% felt the firm was taking a genuine interest in their well-being.

Economic Sustainability

The firm managed $817.6 billion in total retirement and tax-deferred annuity assets as of December 31, 2019. Additionally, it served 2.25 million retirement plan participants and 1.4 million individual investors.
$69.4 billion, representing 6% of the firm’s $1.2 trillion in assets under management, were invested in strategies that apply socially responsible investing screens as of December 31, 2019. Virtually all strategies that the firm manages incorporate ESG risk considerations into the fundamental investment analysis.

Social Sustainability

In 2019, 49% of the firm’s senior-level hires were diverse. 1
T. Rowe Price received a perfect 100 score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index in 2019 and 2020. 2
The firm and its associates collectively gave $22 million to nonprofits around the globe in 2018. Within the communities where associates live and work, they volunteered more than 40,000 hours.

Environmental Sustainability

Six years ahead of schedule, the firm surpassed its goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 13% between 2010 and 2025. In 2019, it had reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 14% over the past nine years, even as its associate population rose by 70.6%. 3
The firm has reduced its landfill waste by 93% and increased recycling by 76% and energy recovery 724% since 2010.

About DHS

DHS is a high-stakes advocacy, public strategy, and global public relations and communications firm. Our strategic insights and innovative programming build and sustain strong corporate and brand reputations. We provide our clients with counsel and program development across the spectrum of public relations, public affairs, reputation and crisis management, digital strategy, advertising and other communications services. Our clients are companies, industry associations, nonprofit organizations, professional services firms, and other large organizations.

We began as a unique grassroots and lobbying firm with customized services for an elite group of clients. Our work applies equally to regulatory issues as well as legislative ones, and we manage issues for our clients at the local, state, federal, and international levels of government.

We use our core competencies and reach to gain competitive advantage for clients. Our expertise comes from extensive must-win campaign experience and operating successfully at the highest rung of business, government, politics and media. Our reach is the ability to use strategic intelligence to mobilize the message and persuade the toughest audiences. We know what it takes to win in difficult situations. We have proven results for prominent figures, leading advocacy groups and the world’s most successful companies. We leverage what others cannot.