MGM Resorts reveals social impact and sustainability vision

i By November 4, 2019 No Comments

MGM Resorts International has announced an evolved vision for social impact and sustainability, setting out its 2025 aspirations for diversity, sustainability and community, joining the United Nations (UN) Global Compact and aligning priorities with UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Through a commitment to be “Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet,” the global entertainment and hospitality company is committing to creating a more sustainable future, and at the same time striving to make a bigger difference in the lives of  its employees, guests and in the communities in which it operates.

(Top of post) Human chain photo by patpitchaya on Canva.

“As a company with a global presence and more than 80,000 employees worldwide, MGM Resorts recognizes our responsibility extends beyond simply serving our customers and growing our bottom line. Focused on What Matters elevates and builds upon our work and investments in responsible leadership and provides a roadmap for making the most meaningful, enduring impact possible,” said MGM Resorts chairman and CEO Jim Murren. “I am proud of the long-held values that have always guided how our organization addresses societal needs, and I am honoured to lead MGM Resorts as we embark on this mission.”

Guided by its commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, MGM has set concrete goals in four priority areas. They are:

  • Fostering Diversity & Inclusion (developing and enhancing talent management systems that ensure equal access to employment and career growth opportunities for all)
  • Investing in Community (collaborating with the public sector, policy makers, educators and nonprofit organizations to expand pathways to economic security for its workforce; enhancing social and cultural fabric in communities)
  • Caring for One Another (volunteerism, employee giving and company philanthropy; focus on core initiatives of hunger relief, public education, workforce development, diversity, environmental sustainability, and health & wellness)
  • Protecting the Planet (being a global advocate in accelerating the fight against climate change; sustainable design and constructions; responsible operations to reduce negative environmental impacts)

Some of the company’s commitments to achieve by 2025 include:

  • Reaching one million cumulative volunteer hours through the employee volunteer program
  • Donating five million meals through the company’s Feeding Forward program, which provides unserved food from its resorts
  • Awarding 600 post-secondary scholarships to children of employees
  • Reducing carbon emissions per square foot by 45 percent, energy per square foot by 25 percent, water per square foot by 30 percent and achieving 60 percent materials diversion rate
  • Spending at least 10 percent of the company’s domestic biddable procurement spend with diverse suppliers
  • Ensure that all employees—including women, the LGBTQ+ community, people of colour and people with disabilities—have equal access to leadership opportunities throughout MGM Resorts and that its policies of inclusion are embedded into its culture

In addition, MGM signed onto the United Nations Global Compact which calls on companies to align strategies and operations with universal principles on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption and take actions that advance societal goals.