Akamai Releases 2021 Annual Sustainability Report

March 14, 2022 - Akamai Technologies, Inc. (Akamai) (NASDAQ: AKAM), a global provider of solutions that enable and protect digital experiences and are trusted by enterprises around the world, recently released its 2021 Sustainability Report. The report provides updates on the company's five goals (expected to be achieved by 2030): 100% renewable energy; 50% improvement in platform energy efficiency; net zero emissions platform; responsible supply chain management; and expanding the implementation of a 100% e-waste recycling program worldwide. In 2021, Akamai made significant progress in achieving each goal.

“Over the past two years, the Internet has become an essential part of our daily lives, powering the way we work, live, transact, learn and play,” said Nicole Fitzpatrick, Deputy General Counsel and Chief ESG Officer at Akamai. “However, this essential tool consumes a significant portion of the world’s electricity. Akamai is committed to reducing the Internet’s carbon footprint and announced five goals last year. We are pleased to announce that we have made significant progress over the past year and will continue to make progress.”

1.   100% renewable energy

To reduce the carbon footprint of its platform growth, Akamai is focused on increasing the share of renewable energy in its global electricity consumption. In 2021, Akamai Intelligent Edge Platform will be powered by more than 50% renewable energy. 20% of this is provided by Akamai's three existing renewable energy projects: a wind farm in Texas, a solar farm in Virginia, and a wind farm in Illinois. In 2021, to further achieve this goal, Akamai signed a fourth renewable energy project with Enel Green Power, the Azure Sky wind farm in northern Texas. The new project is expected to be commissioned in 2022.

2.   Improve platform energy efficiency by 50%

Improving the energy efficiency of the Akamai Intelligent Edge Platform is a critical step in Akamai’s efforts to use electricity more efficiently in its business operations. The company’s 2030 goal is to improve platform energy efficiency by 50% compared to a 2020 baseline. Since announcing the 2030 goal, Akamai has increased platform capacity by 60% in the last year, while improving its network platform energy efficiency per unit of capacity by 28%.

3.   Net Zero Emissions Platform

Akamai aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its platform to zero by 2030. This goal is challenging to achieve as Akamai operates in more than 830 cities around the world and the company has little direct control over power availability. To achieve this challenging goal, Akamai will continue to collaborate with data center partners on renewable energy procurement best practices. In addition, the company's commitment to achieving this important goal is also reflected in the following aspects: Akamai also participated in the Science Based Targets Initiative's "Business Ambition to Help 1.5°C Limit Temperature Action" in 2021; joined the "Run to Zero" action through "Global Citizen Live"; and became a founding member of Greening of Streaming to help address the growing concern about the energy impact of the streaming industry.

4.   Responsible supply chain management

Akamai takes the concept of collective action very seriously in its approach to supply chain, working closely with trusted suppliers. In 2021, Akamai further refined its supply chain program with the launch of the Responsible Supply Chain Program (RSCP) to achieve supply chain goals, including those focused on environmental sustainability.

5.   Expanding 100% e-waste recycling program globally

Akamai currently recycles all of its e-waste, including from servers around the world, at e-Stewards certified facilities in the United States. This helps ensure the highest standards for the security of customer data, effective downstream management of all toxic materials, and legal and responsible export. In 2021, Akamai continued to recycle 100% of its e-waste in accordance with these standards and began to identify certified recycling facilities near e-waste sites in line with the company's public goals in this area.

“Last year we set ambitious 2030 goals and have made significant progress toward them,” said Mike Mattera, Director of Corporate Sustainability at Akamai Technologies. “Akamai is committed to a greener Internet, but we can’t do this alone. To achieve true sustainability, the entire industry must work together. Only by working together can we create a truly more sustainable Internet for everyone.”

You can read Akamai’s 2021 Sustainability Report here .

Akamai Sustainability Strategy

Akamai is committed to taking a leadership role in helping to mitigate the environmental impact of information technology systems. The company's sustainability initiatives are designed to measure and mitigate the environmental impact of its business operations while maximizing the benefits of sustainable business practices. Akamai's sustainability programs focus on several key areas: prioritizing the purchase and use of renewable energy to power its global operations; improving the operational efficiency of the Akamai Intelligent Platform; and implementing strategies that help reduce carbon emissions and mitigate impacts upstream and downstream across the entire supply chain lifecycle. #GreenwithAkamai

Akamai's Statement on Compliance with the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act

This press release contains information about Akamai's management's future expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding achievement of identified sustainability goals. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements due to various important factors, including, but not limited to, the inability to achieve goals due to reallocation of investments, the inability to procure renewable energy on terms acceptable to us, technological barriers to energy efficiency programs, and other factors discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic filings with the SEC.