Oracle and the Environment
From Lauraibm
Contents |
MI Summary
Oracle takes a proactive stance with regards to promoting “green” practices, with a focus on minimising resource utilisation, emphasising sustainable resources and minimising & recycling waste.
Oracle has engaged in partnership with federal and state agencies and other voluntary organisations. For example, Oracle is the first software company to voluntarily sign the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Climate Leaders program which sets specific goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Oracle is also a partner of the EPA’s Green Power Partnership program; they are purchasing 25% of power use at the Austin Data Centre from renewable sources, this is well above the minimum 3% that is required as a certified Green Power partner.
As a founding member of the Sustainable Silicon Valley Initiative Oracle plays a leading role in the program. The corporations Redwood Shores campus in California has seen a steady decline in energy usage since 2000 as a result of the company’s investments in energy efficiency for example halogen lamps have been replaced with long lasting compact fluorescents that use 80% less energy.
Oracles partnership in such programs demonstrates their commitment to being proactive at tackling green issues.
What the Vendor says about itself
Oracle and the Environment
As a developer of computer software, Oracle does not produce harmful waste or byproducts in the course of doing business. However, Oracle is not merely a bystander in the ecology movement.
Oracle proactively promotes "green" practices by minimizing resource utilization, emphasizing sustainable resources, minimizing and recycling waste, and other activities.
By partnering with federal and state agencies and other voluntary organizations, Oracle has become a leader in the software industry on energy and environmental issues.
Oracle Conservation Facts
- Oracle was the first software company to participate in the Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Leader Partnership, a program that sets specific goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Oracle is a founding member of the Sustainable Silicon Valley Initiative, a program that follows the Kyoto Accord's goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- As of June 2004, Oracle's office in Reading, United Kingdom was certified as an ISO 14001 facility, following strict guidelines for tracking electricity, natural gas, paper, and waste.
- Oracle is a founding member of the Redwood Shores Transportation Committee. More than 22 percent of the HQ workforce utilizes commute options offered by Oracle. Vanpools, shuttles to and from local CalTrain stations, bike lockers and racks, and discounted public transit tickets are all popular alternatives to driving a car.
- Oracle's food service provider donates all unused food to Turning Point Women's Shelter in Redwood City. If Turning Point cannot take all the food available, a donation is made to the Santa Clara Second Harvest Food Bank.
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Oracle and the Avian Conservation Centre
Oracle-supported Program Keeps California Bald Eagles Flying High
The Avian Conservation Center rescues, breeds and hatches endangered birds, with a little help from industry.
Perched on a bluff behind the San Francisco Zoo sits one of the most extrordinary animal conservation programs in California. Since 1986, the Bald Eagle Recovery Project has rescued, bred, hatched and released the majestic avian and national symbol, dramatically restoring their numbers along the West Coast. From the release of the first chick into the wild in 1991, the Project has added 70 new members of this endangered species, bringing the number of breeding Bald Eagle pairs in California to 150 from a low of 34.
Re-establishing an endangered species is time-consuming and labor-intensive work. Coordinator of the Avian Conservation Center Kathy Hobson runs the project almost entirely by herself, maintaining eight breeding pairs of eagles at the Center each family with their own private pen. Hobsen spends her time supporting the birds in every way--one day managing the incubation of new eggs, the next travelling to Golden Gate Park in San Francisco to collect pine needles for nests. Hobsen's expertise and dedication is a major factor in the success of the project.
And this success gives Hobson hope for the future of the Bald Eagle—and other species of birds—in California. "I hope that one day you'll be somewhere on the pennisula and easily see a golden eagle and a bald eagle and a peregrine," says Hobson "And I want to see a condor. I hope it won't be hard to see them all one day."
However the Zoo would simply not be able to operate this important program without assistance from private industry. Beginning in 1989, Oracle has consistantly supported the Bald Eagle Recovery Project with charitable donations and volunteers. Based on the current budget, Oracle's total cash contibutions could fund the entire project for almost two years-keeping nests filled, eggs warm and the repopulation effort soaring along.
Oracle also supports the San Francisco Zoo in other ways. Oracle Volunteers participate in "Renew the Zoo," a monthly workday focused on improving the Zoo grounds. Oracle Volunteers also assist with Zoo events throughout the year."Many corporations and foundations reduce their giving or terminate their contributions over time," says Foundations Manager Linda Rapp. "We are particularly grateful that Oracle continues to support the Zoo at an extremely high level."
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Oracle and Energy Management
Oracle is working to decrease its environmental footprint by reducing the amount of energy it uses to heat, cool, light, and maintain its corporate offices.
Starting with the design and construction of Oracle's headquarters campus in Redwood Shores, the company employed energy efficient solutions for lighting, air conditioning and water use. This approach continued with the design of Oracle's massive data center in Austin, TX—which is powered by 25 percent renewable energy. Today, Oracle is committed to extending energy conservation to its facilities across the globe.
In addition to lower-tech conservation measures such as turning off monitors overnight, reducing lighting in hallways and stairwells, and replacing incandescent lighting with compact-fluorescent lights, Oracle now includes high-tech energy-saving features as part of the design process when constructing new buildings.
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Oracle Corporation Energy Conservation and Environment Initiatives
Since the 2000 California Energy crisis Oracle Corporation has taken an aggressive approach to becoming an even more environmentally friendly company. From reducing power consumption per employee by 20% to partnering with both Federal and State agencies and other voluntary organizations, Oracle has become a leader in Silicon Valley energy and environmental arena.
Examples of Oracle Corporation initiatives:
US EPA Climate Leaders
Oracle is the first software company, and one of the few corporations in the US, that have voluntarily signed for the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Leaders program. The industry-government partnership requires companies to develop longterm, comprehensive climate change strategies, set greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals, inventory their emissions to measure progress, and monitor and report progress to EPA as climate change policy continues to unfold.
US EPA Green Power Partner Partnership
As a partner of he United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership program, Oracle pledged to purchase power from ‘green’ renewable source such as wind, solar, geothermal, etc. for its Austin Data Center in Texas, USA. Oracle is purchasing 25% of its power use at the data center from renewable sources, far more than the minimum 3% required as a certified Green Power partner, and is honored with membership in the Green Power Leadership Club.
ISO 14001
Oracle implemented an Environment Management System (EMS) at its UK Facilities in March 2004, and became ISO 14001 certified in June 2004. Various initiatives in this EMS program include measures to reduce Oracle’s environmental impact from transportation, ozone-depleting refrigerants, hazardous waste, waste recycling, and procurement of paper.
Sustainable Silicon Valley Initiative (SSVI)
Oracle is the founding member of the Sustainable Silicon Valley Initiative that seeks to produce significant environmental improvement and resource conservation in Silicon Valley. The voluntary initiative was launched in July 2004 with the goal of reducing greenhouse gases emissions to the same levels, and within the same time frame, as in the Kyoto Protocol.
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Oracle’s Leadership Role in Silicon Valley’s Energy Demand Reduction
Oracle employs about 7,000 of its 42,000 worldwide employees at its distinctive 1.8 million square foot headquarters campus in Redwood Shores, California. The company’s investments in energy efficiency have resulted in a steady decline in energy usage since 2000. Despite a slight increase in overall occupancy, the average monthly energy use per employee was down twenty percent by 2002. Oracle saw 100% ROI in less than eight months from decreased energy bills.
Oracle replaced halogen and incandescent lamps with long lasting compact fluorescents that use 80% less energy. Many locations such as stairwells, elevator lobbies and hallways saw half their lamps removed, with occupants still feeling their spaces were well lit. All lighting projects were done in phases, beginning with pilots to get feedback from occupants, Security and management on the changes before rolling out to all of Oracle Headquarters and any other applicable Oracle facilities.
Another target of reduced demand were Oracle’s HVAC systems, which saw upgrades and re-commissioning of their system controls. By preparing its facilities to curtail electric demand during critical peak hours, Oracle helps in reducing future energy crisis. This piece of mind, coupled with almost $900,000 in annual utilities savings, continues to spur Oracle’s energy investments.
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