Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has evolved over the last 10 years into so much more than giving and volunteering. At Itron, our strategy and future vision for CSR is intentionally aligned to support our core purpose to create a more resourceful world and create positive impact in the key regions where we live, work and play. As the world continues to face incredibly complex business and societal issues, companies are turning more attention to how they can better support their employees, while still addressing the needs of customers and their greater communities.  

CSR-led programs and initiatives can help companies do just that, as we’ve seen firsthand at Itron. They reinforce a company’s purpose, empower positive social impact, help attract and retain top talent, build brand pride, inclusivity and customer loyalty, and create a more engaged and connected workforce. CSR is a core principle in everything we do – shaping who we serve, why we show up to work every day and how we make an impact on communities around the globe. 

As I reflect on 2023 and look forward to 2024, I am leading our CSR investment and engagement at Itron with a new mantra of gratitude for our community-focused accomplishments thus far, appreciation for the power of human connection, and optimism in our ability to influence positive social change in the world around us. Creating positive social impact – both inside and outside of Itron walls – can help us bring more value to our employees, customers, partners and communities all while staying true to our core company purpose. 

Here are a few noteworthy highlights to share: 

• Through the Itron Gives employee giving and volunteer program, our employees in North America donated $226,000, logged over 700 volunteer hours and supported more than 400 community organizations worldwide. With Itron's corporate match, we doubled our impact supporting community organizations in need. 
• In celebration of World Water Day, the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, CPS Energy, Itron, Inc., and the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) hosted a free screening of the water and energy documentary "Thirst for Power" with over 600 students and special guests in attendance: Thirst for Power 2023 on Vimeo. 
• On Earth Day and all throughout Earth Week, key Itron sites hosted volunteer events and activities around the globe – planting trees, cleaning up trails, recycling clothing, providing environmental education and much more. 
• In partnership with Discovery Education, we hosted another Week of Resourcefulness launching two new educational videos featuring Itron community and sustainability leaders and reaching over 18,000 students that week alone. To date, the Conservation Station program has reached 2.4 million students and educators worldwide. 
• Power Over Energy, a consumer-focused educational initiative, launched a new Power Play Quiz Game, had over 200k website visitors in 2023, and since campaign launch, has successfully reached over 251 million consumers on social channels and website worldwide. 
• Our Itron Fit health and wellness team engaged our employees with a global opportunity to Run for the Water to help stay fit, power Itron purpose, and help provide clean water for people in Burundi, Africa. 
• At Itron Inspire, we partnered and volunteered with the San Antonio Food Bank to sort 18,000 pounds of fresh vegetables – eliminating food waste and feeding over 14,000 hungry families in the San Antonio community. 
• Many Itron sites ended the year hosting Season of Giving opportunities, bringing Itron employees and families together to help feed hungry families and provide holiday support to underserved families in their local communities. 

Lastly, Itron’s CSR-led investment in energy education continues to focus on improving energy-water literacy, encouraging conservation and inspiring a future talent pipeline toward career paths in our industry. Through our partnerships and programs, we have successfully reached millions of students and consumers worldwide. To learn more and explore, visit Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) | Itron. 

For every action we take individually and collectively, we can help create happier, healthier and more connected communities in the future. I am deeply proud of Itron, our employees and our customers for championing this important work and look forward to powering more positive purpose forward in the new year ahead.