Introduction
Alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, the United Nations (UN) released its 2030 Development Agenda, which included 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) and supporting targets. Through our core business activities, Sempra directly aligns to UN SDGs 3, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12 and 13.
We also indirectly align with UN SDGs 5, 8 and 10 through our efforts to create an inclusive culture throughout our operations and supply chain.
Learn more below.
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Enabling the energy transition
UN SDG 3 - to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages aligns with our work to be a leader in the energy transition and decarbonize our business and the markets we serve.
3DsDecarbonization Diversification DigitalizationAs part of our action plan, we are making investments in three key capabilities: decarbonization, diversification and digitalization. This includes investments in new and existing infrastructure to help enable the increased use of clean fuels such as hydrogen. We are working to build infrastructure that is reliable and resilient to withstand the effects of a changing climate, including from wildfires, sea level rise and increasing temperatures. Read more in Environment.
UN SDG 9 - to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation aligns with Sempra’s 3D strategy, described in Environment. We are integrating energy storage, smart meters, electric vehicles, time-of-use pricing and customer engagement strategies into our utility operations to help reduce environmental impact. At Sempra Infrastructure, we enable the delivery of LNG to international markets, where this lower-carbon fuel can replace higher-emitting coal or fuel-oil.
12hydrogen R&D and demonstration projects19.4 – By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities- We track and disclose our GHG emissions and intensity.
- We continue to innovate and implement new technologies to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
- We continue to innovate, advancing existing and new technologies in distributed energy, hydrogen technologies, carbon capture utilization and sequestration and cleaner fuels like renewable natural gas and hydrogen.
- SDG&E is working on a vehicle-to-grid project intended to connect six electric school buses to 60kW bi-directional DC fast chargers with the goal to help ease the strain on the electric grid while exploring new technology to support the pathway to net zero.
- By the end of 2022, SDG&E plans to pilot a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) to further expand and leverage distribution-level demand response as a means to reduce GHG emissions, advance resource adequacy and enhance grid resiliency.
- By the end of 2025, SoCalGas plans to complete five hydrogen pilot projects and help establish statewide hydrogen blending standards.
- By the end of 2030, SoCalGas plans to help establish a hydrogen industrial cluster with industry partners.
- Projects are in development and depend upon CPUC approval and various other risks and uncertainties.
UN SDG 11 - to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable aligns with our investment in cleaner transportation and our focus on reducing emissions from our companies’ fleets and facilities.
3,600EV chargersTransportation is the largest contributor of GHG emissions in California and a major source of air pollution.
- Over the past decade, SDG&E has built nearly 3,600 EV chargers in its service territory and has regulatory approval to more than double that in the coming years. In 2021, SDG&E secured a tariff to construct EV ‘make-ready’ infrastructure, to better assist third-party EV service providers to more easily work with customers to install chargers.
- SoCalGas is focused on projects to bring zero emission vehicle solutions to the transit and heavy-duty truck industry, such as hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Our companies’ commitment to more sustainable cities and human settlements also includes transforming their fleets of vehicles that travel around communities every day and reducing environmental impacts from company facilities.
- By the end of 2025, SoCalGas is aiming to have net-zero energy for 100% of its newly constructed buildings and major renovations of its buildings over 10,000 square feet (excluding compressor and transmission facilities), along with its goal of replacing 50% of its over-the-road fleet with electric, hybrid, renewable gas and fuel cell electric vehicles.
- By the end of 2030, SDG&E is aiming to electrify 100% of its light-duty fleet, transition 30% of its overall fleet to zero emission vehicles (ZEV) and achieve zero net energy for all owned facilities.2
- By the end of 2035, SDG&E and SoCalGas are targeting to operate a 100% ZEV over-the-road fleet.1
- Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) includes full battery electric vehicles (BEV), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Fleet goals contingent on vehicle availability and CPUC funding.
- As an interim measure to reduce its carbon footprint, SDG&E purchased renewable energy credits (RECs) in 2021.
UN SDG 13 - to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts aligns with our sustainability strategy to help enable the energy transition and aim to have net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. Progress toward this goal and our interim goals is described in Environment.
2050aim to have net-zero GHG emissions13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries
- We identify, disclose and work to manage climate change risks, such as wildfires, sea level rise and elevated temperatures.
- We track, disclose and work to reduce our GHG emissions, investing in new technologies such as aerial methane mapping to work toward achieving our goals.
- We work to improve efficiency and climate resiliency in our own operations.
13.2 Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning
- We encourage policymakers to maintain an energy policy framework that addresses climate change and energy in a coordinated manner.
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Driving resilient operations
UN SDG 6 - to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all aligns with Sempra’s management of water use in our operations and at our facilities.
<1%of water withdrawn from fresh water sources- Our use of fresh water is minimal, accounting for less than 1% of total water withdrawn in 2021.
- We use reclaimed and recycled water when possible to preserve fresh water for nearby communities and reduce any contribution to water scarcity.
- LNG regasification and natural gas-fired power plants account for nearly 93% and 7%, respectively, of our total water withdrawal. The water withdrawn to support these LNG operations is seawater.
- We utilize multiple processes to monitor water temperature and help ensure sea life is not impacted by the water withdrawal or discharge process.
- Water does not come into any contact with any product and is returned to the sea under strict compliance with the corresponding discharge permits.
- At our natural gas-fired power plants we use municipal wastewater and dry cooling technology to reduce our impacts.
- In 2021, our total water withdrawal remained relatively similar year over year at 27.8 billion gallons and we returned 92% of water withdrawn back to the source.
UN SDG 7 - to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all aligns with Sempra’s role as a leader in the energy transition, demonstrated by our aim to have net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 and SDG&E’s and SoCalGas’ aims to have net-zero emissions by 2045. Read more in Introduction.
678MW of energy storage complete or contracted17.1 – By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services
- Our utility companies serve nearly 40 million consumers.
- Time-of-use pricing encourages some California utility customers to shift their discretionary energy use to lower-cost time periods. Bill assistance programs help qualifying customers reduce their energy bills.
- SDG&E sees energy storage as a flexible and reliable option for getting cleaner power to customers when they need it most. In 2017, SDG&E unveiled the world’s largest lithium-ion battery storage facility at the time in Escondido and now has approximately 678 megawatts (MW) of energy storage projects completed or contracted.1
- SDG&E continues to develop microgrids in response to changing environmental and system conditions.
- SoCalGas and SDG&E are exploring the use of fuel cells to enhance electric reliability and resiliency.
- We encourage policymakers to maintain the stable energy policy framework critical to the development of major energy infrastructure. Many projects require long lead times and significant financial commitments.
- The ability to complete major development and construction projects is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties.
1,044MW wind and solar power in Mexico7.2 – By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
- Oncor connects 67 renewable energy generators capable of producing approximately 12,000 megawatts of energy to the Texas power grid.
- SDG&E’s RPS compliance in 2021 is estimated at 55%.1
- SoCalGas has a goal to deliver 20% RNG to its core customers by 2030.
- Sempra Infrastructure can generate 1,044 megawatts of wind and solar power in Mexico.
7.3 – By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
- Time-of-use pricing encourages some California utility customers to reduce energy use during periods of peak demand.
- Oncor has spent approximately $946 million for its “Take a Load Off, Texas” energy efficiency programs from 2002 through 2021.
- SoCalGas and SDG&E are working on blending initiatives with the goal of understanding how the existing gas network could be used to transport a mix of natural gas and hydrogen.
- SDG&E annual estimates of RPS compliance are likely to vary year-over-year due to portfolio rebalancing related to portfolio allocations to LSEs and customer load departure to local CCAs.
UN SDG 9 - to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation aligns with Sempra’s 3D strategy, described in Environment. We are integrating energy storage, smart meters, electric vehicles, time-of-use pricing and customer engagement strategies into our utility operations to help reduce environmental impact. At Sempra Infrastructure, we enable the delivery of LNG to international markets, where this lower-carbon fuel can replace higher-emitting coal or fuel-oil.
12hydrogen R&D and demonstration projects19.4 – By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities
- We track and disclose our GHG emissions and intensity.
- We continue to innovate and implement new technologies to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
- We continue to innovate, advancing existing and new technologies in distributed energy, hydrogen technologies, carbon capture utilization and sequestration and cleaner fuels like renewable natural gas and hydrogen.
- SDG&E is working on a vehicle-to-grid project intended to connect six electric school buses to 60kW bi-directional DC fast chargers with the goal to help ease the strain on the electric grid while exploring new technology to support the pathway to net zero.
- By the end of 2022, SDG&E plans to pilot a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) to further expand and leverage distribution-level demand response as a means to reduce GHG emissions, advance resource adequacy and enhance grid resiliency.
- By the end of 2025, SoCalGas plans to complete five hydrogen pilot projects and help establish statewide hydrogen blending standards.
- By the end of 2030, SoCalGas plans to help establish a hydrogen industrial cluster with industry partners.
- Projects are in development and depend upon CPUC approval and various other risks and uncertainties.
UN SDG 12 - to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns aligns with our efforts to improve recycling and reduce our waste.
65%of Oncor’s operational waste was recycled or repurposed- All company facilities in California, including SoCalGas, SDG&E and Sempra headquarters, divert organic waste from entering landfills, in support of California Senate Bill 1383.
- In 2021, approximately 65% of operational waste generated by Oncor, such as oil, poles and other electrical equipment, was recycled or repurposed.
- In Mexico, IEnova implemented an initiative in 2019 to reduce non-hazardous waste consisting of replacing the type of coagulant used in the wastewater treatment plant with an organic coagulant.
- Please see Environment for additional details on our waste and recycling efforts.
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Achieving world-class safety
UN SDG 3 - to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages aligns with our work to be a leader in the energy transition and decarbonize our business and the markets we serve.
3DsDecarbonization Diversification DigitalizationAs part of our action plan, we are making investments in three key capabilities: decarbonization, diversification and digitalization. This includes investments in new and existing infrastructure to help enable the increased use of clean fuels such as hydrogen. We are working to build infrastructure that is reliable and resilient to withstand the effects of a changing climate, including from wildfires, sea level rise and increasing temperatures. Read more in Environment. -
Championing people
UN SDG 5 - to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls aligns with our dedication to gender equality for our employees and in our communities.
36%of Sempra’s board of directors are women1- 36% of Sempra’s board of directors are women.1
- Women represent 28% of our total workforce, 35% of management and 33% of company leadership.
- In an effort to encourage girls’ interest in STEM careers at an early age, SDG&E’s #BeThatGirl initiative offers SDG&E’s female employee STEM professionals to schools and non-profits in our communities to serve as successful role models for young girls with an interest in STEM.
- Since 2016, female employees at some of the Sempra family of companies have participated in Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Beyond School Walls program. The program introduces middle school girls to careers in STEM by pairing them with a mentor from our companies.
- Based on our directors nominated to stand for election at the annual shareholders meeting in May 2022.
UN SDG 8 - to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all aligns with our value to champion people and our unwavering commitment to safety in our operations, for our workforce and for the communities we serve.
Championpeople8.5 - By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value aligns with our value to champion people
- At the heart of this value is our commitment to investing in employees and fostering an inclusive environment, which we believe elevates our performance and helps us to partner responsibly. This value extends to the communities we serve. We are focused on:
- Increasing the number of employees from communities of concern in our workforce;
- Increasing the number of organizational leaders at all levels from communities of concern; and
- Creating new initiatives to support communities of concern with (a) targeted volunteer and charitable giving programs and (b) re-invigorated diverse spending goals with our community partners.
Additionally, we are committed to supplier diversity as a core business value and an integral strategy that fosters innovation, cost effectiveness and competition in our supply chain by promoting an inclusive supplier base that represents our customers, stakeholders and the communities we serve. We look to our suppliers as partners in creating a culture and environment that promotes improvement and innovation across every area of our business.
Stop the job forSafety8.8. - To protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments of all workers, including migrant workers, particularly women migrants and those in precarious employment
Field employees at our operating companies are trained to “stop the job” in any situation that potentially impacts the safety of a worker, the public, our equipment and systems or the environment.
- In 2021 our company-wide employee recordable incident rate decreased while our lost-time incident rate remained level. Read more in Social.
Our focus on safety extends to the communities we serve. We are working to build infrastructure that is reliable and resilient to withstand the effects of a changing climate, including from wildfires, sea level rise and increasing temperatures. Read more in Environment.
UN SDG 10 - to reduce inequality within and among countries aligns with our strategy to bring lower-carbon energy to developing economies and our history of supporting a diverse supply chain.
Diversesupply chainLocal coal resources provide the most affordable domestic source of energy in many emerging economies – energy that is needed as hundreds of millions of people seek greater prosperity. As coal plants are shuttered in advanced economies, they may be replaced by new coal plants in emerging economies.
- Through our energy infrastructure, we believe we can help drive the decarbonization of mature economies, while addressing the concurrent need to diversify and decarbonize emerging markets.
- Our LNG business provides access to cleaner, more reliable and more affordable energy that can help displace coal and other fossil fuels.
Our diversity, equity and inclusion metrics can be found in Social.
Sempra California has a long history of partnering with Diverse Business Enterprises (DBEs) to supply them with goods and services they need to serve their customers.
- By building a diverse supply chain, they help create an inclusive culture - and can often achieve better business outcomes.
- Supplier DBE categories we support include minority, minority women, women, service-disabled veteran and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender. Learn more in Social.
