Iridium is Proud to Share Its First Environmental, Social, and Governance Report
Iridium is pleased to deliver their first Iridium Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report. Since inception, their core mission and purpose has been to provide communication and connectivity to places and people where it’s been impossible before, expanding social progress and safety as a responsible global corporate citizen. This year’s inaugural report is an important first step for Iridium. Their Board of Directors, management team, and employees are committed to being leaders in ESG in the same way they’ve become leaders in providing what is still the only truly global communications service in the world.
We are pleased to deliver our first Iridium Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report to our stakeholders. Iridium has a long track record on ESG matters. Since inception, our core mission and purpose has been to provide communication and connectivity to places and people where it’s been impossible before, expanding social progress and safety as a responsible global corporate citizen. In recognition of the increasing importance of ESG to us, to our success, and to our stakeholders, our Board of Directors also amended the charter of its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to place express responsibility with that committee for ESG matters.
This is a unique time for our first report, given the ongoing impact of COVID-19. I am proud that we put the safety of our employees first and successfully transitioned to a work-fromhome environment while still meeting our corporate objectives and growing our business. We’ve learned to operate successfully in this new environment and plan to support a more carbon-friendly, hybrid work program for our team once infection rates allow.
This past year was also defined by the increased prominence of the social justice and the Black Lives Matter movements in the wake of the senseless killing of George Floyd. While Iridium has always enjoyed high marks on employee satisfaction and engagement, we felt it important to redouble our commitment to diversity and inclusion this year. There is always room for improvement and space for more involvement and action. Iridium’s work environment, whether it be physical or virtual, must be safe, equitable and inclusive for all who drive our important mission, as well as those who aspire to join our team. I personally co-chair our Diversity & Inclusion Council and am proud of our early efforts and active employee engagement.
Iridium Environmental effects has always had a small footprint on Earth, as our solarpowered satellites fly about 500 miles above sea level in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO). The network they form covers every part of the earth, allowing life-saving connections for people, scientific instruments, ships, planes and other important assets — all with very little ground infrastructure. We’ve created an ecosystem of hundreds of technology and distribution partners who have created thousands of innovative ways to harness our global network for social and economic good.
Our worldwide communications network provides connectivity everywhere, including the 80% of the planet that lacks cell phone service, protecting explorers, campers, scientists and others while off the grid. Our name and services are well known in the safety Iridium has always had a small footprint on Earth, as our solar-powered satellites fly about 500 miles above sea level in Low-Earth Orbit. 2 3 industry for reliable service in the face of natural disasters — like hurricanes and earthquakes — often providing first responders with a dependable network to organize humanitarian relief and minimize tragedy when terrestrial-based networks are offline.
While Iridium’s corporate footprint on the earth is small, our company is committed to continuous improvement and social responsibility. Given the potential hazard that space debris can create, we have shown ourselves to be leaders in space sustainability not just in intent, but in quickly and safely removing first-generation Iridium® satellites from space as they were replaced with our new $3 billion second-generation satellite system.
We are also engaged in our local communities, and given our corporate mission and unique technology, focused on supporting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. We continue to leverage our employee base and network resources to inspire young students and drive the next generation of space innovators.
This year’s inaugural report is an important first step for Iridium, and I hope it helps investors and others interested in our ESG efforts. Our Board of Directors, management team, and employees are committed to being leaders in ESG in the same way we’ve become leaders in providing what is still the only truly global communications service in the world.
Matt Desch ~CEO of Iridium
