2018 Guide to Effective Proxies

2.12 Environmental & social disclosure | 197 6 TH EDITION | GUIDE TO EFFECTIVE PROXIES VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC. VISA, INC. WELLS FARGO XCEL ENERGY ’ SustainabilityatVerizonVerizongivespeopletheabilitytodomorethroughtechnology,investmentsandactionsdesignedtoeducatethe21stcenturyworkforceandpromoteenvironmentalsustainability.WearetakingactioninsupportoftheUnitedNation’sSustainableDevelopmentGoals:ImprovingglobalresourceefficiencyReducingcarbonintensity:Verizonwilldeliveralasting,positiveimpactontheenvironmentbycuttingourowncarbonintensity–thecarbonourbusinessemitsdividedbytheterabytesofdatawetransportoverournetworks–inhalfoverthe2016baselineby2025.Inaddition,Verizonwillimplementanadditional24megawattsofgreenenergyby2025,doublingourcurrentgreenenergycapacity.Supportingcarbonabatement:Verizon’sproductsandservices—rangingfromhighspeedinternetthatallowspeopletoworkremotely,tosmartgridsthatincreasetheefficiencyofourpowersystem,totelematicsthatimprovefleetrouting—helpourcustomersuselessenergy,andthereforecreatefewergreenhousegasemissions.By2022,ournetworksandconnectedsolutionswillsavemorethandoubletheamountofglobalemissionsthatouroperationscreate.SupportingqualityeducationThroughtheVerizonInnovativeLearninginitiative,weprovide freetechnology,accessandhands-onimmersivlearninginscience,technology,engineeringandmathtostudentsinne.Toate,Verizonhasreachedonemilliostudentsthroughthseprogrms,andby2023,wewillhelpprovideanadditioalfiremillionstdentswiththskillsrequiredtoputthemonthepathtosuccessinanincreasinglytech-dependentjbmarkt.ReducingwasteandsuportigrcyclngWcontinetowoktoreducethevronmntlimpactofourproducthrough:ManagingthematerialsuseinmakingthemReducingpackagingvolumeRecycling,refurbishingn/orreusingourproducts,icludingbatteriesProvidingrecyclinginformationonprouctabels,andsuppotingpublicrecyclingVerizonreceivedanA-ontheCarbonDisclsreProject’s2017evaluatonandisrankedinCDP’sLeadershipcoringband.CDPrunsaglobalvoluntarydisclosureystmbywhihcompaniesandcitiesdisclosetheirenvironmentaimpactstoinformmaketplacedecision-makin.VerizonchairstheGlobale-SustainabilityInitiative,acortiumofICTcompaniesthatcollaboratetodevelopandsharresourcesforachievingscialandnvironmentalsstainabilitythroughtechnlogy.VerizonwasnamedanEPAENERGYSTARPartneroftheYearforSustaine Excellencefrthffthcosecutiveyearin2017.DesgbyAddisonwww.addiso.cm As detailed below, Visa takes an integrated approach to managing ESG performance and transparency, which consistsofgovernance,engagementandreportingonourinitiatives. Integrated Approach to Corporate Responsibility ‹ | | | | | | | | | | | | Governance FunctionalLeadership Š Corporate responsibility is managed at a functional level across our strategic and operational areas, withresponsibilityrollinguptoexecutiveleveloversight CorporateResponsibilityWorkingGroup Š Co-chaired by our global head of Corporate Responsibility and our Chief Counsel — Corporate and with representation from more than a dozen senior leaders, serves as the central coordinating body forourresponsibilitystrategy,benchmarkingandreporting BoardandCommitteeOversight Š In2016, theCharter of theNominatingandCorporateGovernanceCommitteewasexpandedtoinclude formalresponsibilityforandoversightofcorporateresponsibilitypolicies,programsandreporting ‹ Engagement —————— Proactiveengagement withkey stakeholderstounderstandexpectations andengageonourperformance ‹ Reporting Greatertransparency tomeetstakeholder expectations Published2016CSRReport DisclosureonVisawebsite Informed by a formal process to understand the ESG issues that are at the intersection of importance to our stakeholdersaswellasourlong-termsuccess,ourapproachfocusesontopicsinfiveareas: Areas of Focus Informedbyperiodicmaterialityassessments andongoing stakeholderengagement,our corporate responsibility strategy focuseson five priorityareas,eachwith several topicsof interest. TransformingCommerce Innovation&Technology PaymentsSecurity ExpandingAccess Financial Inclusion Partnerships Solutions Investing inOurPeople EmployeeDevelopment& Engagement Diversity& Inclusion EmployeeBenefits OperatingResponsibly CorporateGovernance Ethics&Compliance EngagingwithGovernments ConsumerPrivacy EnvironmentalSustainability ResponsibleSourcing StrengtheningCommunities FinancialLiteracy Employee Involvement CommunityGiving 100000 0010 1 111 1 01 0 0 0 1 In2017,Visawasrecognizedforourcorporateresponsibilityprogress,includingthroughthefollowing: • NamedtoDowJonesSustainabilityIndexandFTSE4GoodIndexforthe1 st time • RecognizedbyEthisphereasaWorld’sMostEthicalCompanyfor5 th yearinarow We encourage you to read more about how we are working to build a connected world and better future for everyone,everywhereinour2016CorporateResponsibilityReport. AreasofFocusInformedbyperiodicmaterialityassessmentsandongoingstakeholderengagement,ourcorporateresponsibilitystrategyfocusesonfivepriorityareas,eachwithseveraltopicsofinterestTransformingCommerceInnovation&TechnologyPaymentsSecurityExpandingAccessFinanciallnclusionPartnershipsSolutionsInvestinginourpeopleEmployeeDevelopment&EngagementDiversity&InclusionEmployeeBenefitsOperatingResponsiblyCorporateGovernanceEthics&ComplianceEngagingwithGovernmentsConsumerPrivacyEnvironmentalSustainabilityResponsibleSourcingStrengtheningCommunitiesFinancialLiteracyEmployeeInvolvementCommunityGiving 14 Responsible by Nature We see our success today and in the future not simply as ameasure of profit but equally as our broader impact on the public good.The safe, clean, reliable and affordable energywe provide enables our local economies and individuals to thrive and communities across our territory to grow,develop and achieve their goals. Environmental Responsibility We areworking to provide cleaner energy in away that is affordable for our customers. Community Responsibility We are committed to help strengthen the communities inwhichwe live andwork. Long-Term View Our investors look to us to help them createa secure future for their clients, and we effectivelymanage risk to retain that trust.We are preparing for the long term: our businesswill look different in an increasingly digitized world, requiring different skills and investments. Learnmore aboutXcelEnergy’s environmental, social and economic contributions in our annual CorporateResponsibilityReport, published in June at xcelenergy.com/CorporateResponsibility •Plan togrow renewables from 27%ofourgenerationportfolio today tomore than 45% in 2022 •Plan to retireover 40%ofowned coal-fueled capacityby theend of 2026, as compared to 2005 levels •Offermore than 150 energy efficiency and conservationprograms •Reducedwater consumptionbymore than40%, sulfurdioxide emissionsby 72%, andnitrogenoxide emissionsby 76% since2005 •Employees andourFoundationdonatedmore than $8million in 2017 in supportofSTEM education, economic stability, environmental stewardship, and access to the artsand culture •Provided 71%ofournormalgoods and services spend—more than $2.5billion—to localbusinesses in 2017 •Contributed fundsback intoour communities asa significant property taxpayer in the stateswherewe live andwork •Providednearly $60million in energy assistance for low-income, elderly andother at-risk customers in 2017 •Transitioningourgenerationportfolio tomore renewable sources, adding 3,680megawattsofwindby the endof 2021 •Operatingournuclearfleet toprovide reliable, affordable, carbon-free energy for customers through license life • Investingover $1billion ingrid intelligence and security in thenextdecade to enablemore renewable and distributedgeneration •Piloting andplanning formorebatteries and electric vehicles asgeneration, storage andvehicle advancementsoccur • Investing inourworkforcebyoffering competitivewages andbenefits, andnurturingour talentpipeline through interns,diverse and veteranhiring,and supporting youth STEM education 2018 XcelEnergyProxyStatement 5 Proxy Summary Priority Plans and Progress Our Commitment as a Socially Responsible Company OUR COMMITMENT AND STRATEGIC PRIORITIES OurcommitmenttocorporatecitizenshipisincludedamongourCompany’ssixGoals. Wewanttomakeevery communityinwhichweliveanddobusinessbetterthroughourproductsandservices,cultureandbusinesspractices,and philanthropy.Weaimtointegratecorporatesocialresponsibilityintoallwedo.Threestrategicprioritiesguideourwork: Diversity and social inclusion Help ensure that all people feel valued and respected and have equal access to resources, services, products, and opportunities to succeed Economic empowerment Strengthen financial self-sufficiency and economic opportunities in underserved communities Environmental sustainability Accelerate the transition to a lower-carbon economy and help reduce the impacts of climate change on our communities GIVING BACK TO OUR COMMUNITIES Philanthropy CommunityOutreach TeamMemberVolunteerism andGiving • Wesupportthousandsofnationaland community-basednonprofitsannuallyto helprevitalizeandstrengthen communities.Weareamongthetop corporatecashdonorsamongU.S. companies,donating$286.5millionto morethan14,500nonprofitsin2017. • Wearetargetinganincreaseof approximately40%inourannual donationstononprofitandcommunity organizationsin2018. • Ourlong-termtargetistoinvest2%of after-taxprofitsincorporate philanthropybeginningin2019. • Weworkwithawiderangeofnonprofits andcommunityorganizationstostabilize andstrengthenlow-to-moderateincome neighborhoods,aswellasaddressglobal social,economic,andenvironmental challenges.Thesearejustafewofthe areaswesupportthroughourcommunity outreachandgrantprograms: O Advancingsocialinclusion O Increasingfinancialcapabilityof diverseconsumers O Developingwomenanddiverse leaders O Increasingthefinancialcapabilityof consumers O Empoweringself-reliancethrough smallbusinesses O Strengtheningcommunitiesand familiesthroughsustainablehousing O Advancingcleantechnologyand innovation O Supportingenvironmentaleducation O Fosteringresilientcommunities • Oursuccessasacompanyresultsfrom thecareandcompassionofourteam memberswhobringourculturetolife eachday. • Ourteammembersgenerouslygive hundredsofthousandsofvolunteer hourseachyear,makingtheir communitiesstrongerforeveryone andimprovinglives. • In2017,teammembersvolunteered twomillionhoursintheircommunities. • Basedonthegenerosityofourteam members,wewereratedbyUnited WayWorldwideasthelargest workforcegivingcampaignintheU.S. in2017(9 th consecutiveyear). WellsFargo&Company 2018ProxyStatement 49 Total of 02 pages in section