On the road to a sustainable future

While the turmoil of the past year has leaders at all levels of our society focused on how to make the future better, Nationwide has been focused on creating a sustainable future since the company’s founding in 1926.

“Sustainability is in our roots, and it's only grown in importance,” said Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker. “For many years, Nationwide has declared itself More than a Business®. We want to address today's needs while protecting the ability of future generations to meet theirs.”

While many tend to only focus on sustainability from an environmental point of view, it’s much broader than that, according to Jayme Smoot, Nationwide’s Vice President of Corporate Sustainability.

"Sustainability starts in our own back yard," said Smoot. "What are we doing to make a difference in the communities where we live and work? What are we doing to build a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce? What can we do to make sure we are operating ethically and with integrity? All of these things, as well as what we can do to reduce harmful impacts to our environment are how we think about sustainability."

Nationwide recently shared an update about its long-standing commitment in a new Corporate Sustainability Report.

“As sustainability has become more important in society, we stepped back and thought it would be a good idea to package all the things we're currently doing together and use that as an opportunity to challenge ourselves to do more,” said Smoot. “We know we have work to do, but we have so many things to be proud of that we want our stakeholders to know about.”

For example, the report outlines the company’s community giving, which includes long-standing relationships with United Way, the American Red Cross, Feeding America and the company's unique relationship with Nationwide Children's Hospital.

For more than 60 years we’ve supported the Hospital and the Nationwide Foundation has provided $130 million in funding since 2006, ensuring children have access to quality medical care regardless of a family’s ability to pay, as well as funding life-saving pediatric research and discoveries.

“We’re incredibly honored by Nationwide’s ongoing commitment to transforming pediatric health care,” said Nationwide Children's CEO Tim Robinson. “This unprecedented partnership has been a game changer, helping to drive vital initiatives to improve research and clinical care for children everywhere.”

The report also outlines other enduring commitments the company has made, including:

• A diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment, recognized year after year by organizations like the Human Rights Campaign, Fortune, Black Enterprise and Latina Style
• A 23.6 percent reduction in the company’s carbon footprint over the last decade, including landfill diversion and reduction of water use, with a commitment to do even more
• Investing with a purpose, including $1 billion in renewable energy and $3.5 billion in affordable housing over the past decade.

Walker says stakeholders should expect to hear more from Nationwide on its sustainability journey in the future.

“Our mission and vision along with our mutual company heritage and mindset distinguish us as a naturally strong and sustainable organization. We look to the future with optimism and a commitment to do even more.”

Explore Nationwide’s Corporate Sustainability Report.