How Workday Is Supporting Climate Action Through Policy

Chandler Morse, head of public policy, North America at Workday, contributed to this article. 

Workday is committed to environmental sustainability and recognizes the need for the United States to take urgent and meaningful action to address climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluded we’re on the brink of irreversible climate change that not only impacts our natural world, but our global economy and society as well. With only a small window of time left, the United States must take action to reduce emissions now.

Workday is playing an active role in this effort—here’s how. 

Workday is dedicated to achieving a net-zero future by 2050 by keeping global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Workday has long been committed to clean and renewable energy, and in our fiscal year 2021 we matched 100% of electricity use at offices and data centers globally with clean, renewable sources. 

From a policy lens, we support the Paris Agreement on climate change and joined together with other businesses to support the United States’ commitment to reduce emissions by 50-52% by 2030. We also support science-based climate policy at the state level in California, Oregon, and Virginia.

At the federal level, we’re encouraged by conversations among policymakers around tangible and effective measures to advance science-based climate policy that can put the United States on track for a 1.5°C future, including proposals that increase the availability of carbon-free energy (such as a federal clean electricity standard), remove barriers to corporate renewable energy purchasing, and transition us to a clean energy economy with market-based mechanisms such as carbon pricing. 

Our Support for Climate Investments in Budget Reconciliation

Toward those goals and recognizing the process is fluid, we support climate provisions like those recently advanced as part of Congress’ current budget reconciliation process. These provisions include investments in decarbonization of our nation’s infrastructure, creating good-paying jobs, growing new clean-tech industries, and prioritizing environmental justice to ensure an equitable future.

In addition, as an alternative to a clean electricity standard, the Clean Energy Performance Program is anticipated to put the United States on a path to 80% clean electricity by 2030—addressing the climate crisis, spurring economic growth, and saving lives by reducing air pollution.

Workday is committed to a more just and equitable world. Guided by our core values and the movement to create opportunity for all, we see the inextricable link between social justice and environmental sustainability. Underrepresented communities are often disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate disasters, while being least responsible for the causes. As a global society, we need to do what we can not only for our planet, but for environmental justice and climate equity, too.

We recognize there are short-term costs associated with climate action. However, both the costs and the severity of impacts of climate change only grow exponentially by waiting. The time is now to take action and invest in the United States’ transition to a low-carbon economy—one that can deliver significant economic and societal benefit. 

Workday believes in playing an active and collaborative role to address climate change and our commitment will not waver. We’re excited to continue growing our own internal commitments, working with other stakeholders, and pushing conversations on Capitol Hill and globally to address climate change.