The RELX SDG Customer Awards 2021
Recognising our customers' exceptional work to achieve the united nations' sustainable development goals
Following on from the inaugural 2020 RELX SDG Customer awards, we once again want to recognise customers who share our commitment to driving action in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The winners, nominated from across RELX’s four business divisions, have made a significant and demonstrable contribution to one or more of the SDGs.
Nominated by LexisNexis Risk Solutions
Ørsted
Renewable energy provider, Ørsted, was nominated by ICIS, part of LexisNexis Risk Solutions Group, for the company’s dramatic transformation from being a fossil fuel provider to a renewable energy provider, supported SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy.
In just 10 years, Ørsted has transformed from one of the most carbon-intensive energy companies in Europe to being ranked the world’s most sustainable energy company in the Corporate Knights Global 100 Index – three years in a row. The company offers wind power, solar energy and storage, and renewable hydrogen to countries and companies around the world.
Ørsted is on track to be carbon-neutral in energy generation and operations by 2025. Following efforts to eliminate carbon emissions from their our energy production, the company has embarked on the next frontier in its decarbonisation journey, committing to halving the carbon emissions from wholesale buying and selling of natural gas and from its supply chain by 2032.
“Over the past decade Ørsted has undertaken one of the most ambitious green transformations in the global energy industry, guided by our vision of creating a world that runs entirely on green energy and a strong commitment to the Paris agreement and the UN Sustainability Development Goals” - Anders Øye, Senior Lead Product Owner, Ørsted.
Ørsted's green transformation took a decade. Its fundamental objective was to transform the business from one based on fossil fuels to one based on renewable energy, and to find a business model that is both environmentally and financially sustainable.
Nominated by Elsevier
The University of São Paulo (USP)
Ranking 14th out of 766 institutions globally in the Times Higher Education impact ranking, a measure of academic institutions contribution toward the attainment of the SDGs - developed in conjunction with Elsevier - The University of Sao Paulo (USP) is awarded for its efforts across three Goals in particular; SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy and SDG 15: Life on Land.
USP strives to make a positive impact both within the student population but also more widely in the communities surrounding its eight campuses across the state of São Paulo, Brazil.
Programmes include those that seek to increase and enhance diversity in the student population by increasing underrepresented minority groups and those students from lower socio – economic backgrounds through affirmative action, financial support packages, subsidised meal programmes and focused support that ensures students from under represented communities successfully complete studies. University teams work with community groups on social incubation projects such as the Grace Project to engage girls in careers in which they are typically underrepresented such as computer sciences and entrepreneurship.
The University has successfully implemented environmental sustainability policies and programmes to reduce energy use across campuses. It has fostered carbon free transport through free bikes for students and establishment of bike lanes and works with local communities on initiatives to protect biodiverse areas and native forests.
“On behalf of the entire academic community of the University of Sao Paulo, I would like first of all to thank RELX and Elsevier for the important award we are deeply honoured to receive today. Conscious of its responsibility as a Brazilian public higher education institution to contribute to the social and economic development of our country and region, the USP has been actively involved in promoting educational programmes, innovative research and engaging outreach initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.” - Dr. Aluísio Cotrim Segurado, Professor of Infectious Diseases and Head of the Institutional Research Office.
“The University of São Paulo is the main research university in Brazil, and its performance is rather strong in topics related to the U.N.’s SDG, not only in research output, but also in the quality and quantity of the students they graduate. USP’s work, for example, in bioenergy research and in understanding and proposing ways to reduce social inequality and poverty in Brazil stem from strategies built by faculty to respond to Brazilian challenges, and fit very well with relevant SDGs.” - Carlos Henrique de Brito Cruz, Senior Vice-President, Research Networks, Elsevier
Nominated by LexisNexis Legal & Professional
International Commission of Jurists
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) was nominated by LexisNexis Legal & Professional for their commitment to advancing the rule of law, protecting human rights and the achievement of SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and in particular for the organisation’s work in Myanmar.
Since 1952 the ICJ has performed a unique and prominent role as a nongovernmental organization (NGO) defending human rights and the rule of law worldwide. In Myanmar, prior to the military coup, the ICJ were strong partners to the supreme court, supporting with the development of legal research capabilities, and later with the publishing of commercial cases.
“For the last 70 years, since 1952, we’ve been working to defend the rule of law and make sure that the rule of law and its connection to human rights is respected around the world…I’m very grateful and honoured by having RELX and our colleagues at LexisNexis Legal and Professional recognise this work. I’m very pleased that this work has been recognised and that our colleagues in Myanmar have had their work be recognised. I hope that we can continue to work together with LexisNexis, in making sure that laws are well known, predicable and accessible by people and by lawyers across the world." - Saman Zia-Zarifi, Secretary General, International Commission of Jurists.
Nominated by RX
A+E Networks
Awarded in recognition of the network’s commitment to diversity and inclusion on and off screen, A+E Network brands strive to use global media influence to share diverse stories and amplify under represented voices throughout its programming through shows including Surviving R Kelly; Surviving Jeffrey Epstein and with initiatives such as Broader Focus and Voices Magnified. A+E Networks is a leading media network reaching 60m homes across 100 countries. It is a global media company with joint ventures and channels all over the world.
A+E leads by example to promote diversity off-screen - partnering with minority and female-owned production companies and creative services; far exceeding the industry average in hiring women behind the camera. A+E Networks has always stepped up first to partner with Reed Midem to promote equality and inclusion right across the television industry.
The Women in Global Entertainment Power Lunch was launched with A+E 10 years ago. This annual gathering is now one of the most meaningful global platforms for female executives to connect, to nurture, to mentor, and to inspire each other – encouraging positive change.
A+E is a founding partner of the MIPCOM (Marché International des Programmes de Communication) Diversify TV Excellence Awards, created four years ago to recognise, champion and celebrate diversity, equality and inclusion throughout our industry and is a member of the SDG Media Compact, a commitment by media and entertainment companies to leverage their resources and creative talent to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.
A+E Network's work on diversity
RELX SDG INSPIRATION DAY EVENT
Creating the world we want: One decade, 17 goals now and post-pandemic
The four customer awards were presented during the RELX SDG inspiration day in June 2021. The customers were nominated by colleagues in each RELX business area and were judged by a panel of internal experts. The awards were presented by RELX Chief Financial Officer, Nick Luff and RELX Chief Strategy Officer, Jelena Sevo. Watch the awards along with more sessions and speakers from the day here.
The RELX SDG Inspiration Day event is a bi-annual event hosted by RELX. Hundreds of attendees come together for networking, facilitated expert discussions and insightful addresses from leaders. To keep informed of future events, sign-up to the RELX SDG Resource Centre newsletter here.
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