Description:
Since SAS began in 1976, sustainability has been a core value driving innovation. Sustainability means more than being “green.” It means taking long-term view when we make business decisions, whether they involve attracting, retaining and motivating the best employees; serving our customers; or caring for our physical environment.

Executive Summary:

From the first SAS on-site daycare center in 1981 to our on-site health care centers, we have always felt that if you treat employees as though they make a difference, they will make a difference. Satisfied employees lead to sustainable customer relationships. SAS employees work in an environment that fosters the integration of our company’s business values and objectives with their personal needs. SAS’ unique, award-winning work environment is designed to nurture and encourage creativity, innovation and quality.

At SAS, we have instituted environmentally friendly practices worldwide, including our Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified SAS Canada headquarters, the green energy that powers our Netherlands office, and the use of office supplies made from recycled materials in Japan. Together, the solar farm constructed in 2008 and the second solar farm to be completed by March 2010 on the company’s Cary, NC, headquarters campus will enerate enough sustainably sourced energy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 3,500 tons annually from conventionally produced electricity. This is the equivalent to the emissions from burning more than 367,000 gallons of gasoline. Our newest two buildings in Cary will be built to LEED standards, incorporating environmentally friendly features including innovative heat and water-recovery systems.

SAS values the economic sustainability of our communities. Our long-standing commitment to education contributes to a sustainable economy by better preparing our future work force to innovate and compete. SAS has demonstrated steady growth year after year and has established itself as the largest independent vendor in the business analytics market with more than 11,000 employees at more than 400 offices worldwide. SAS marked its 33rd year in business by continuing an unbroken record of revenue increases; 2008 revenues topped $2.26 billion. The company continued to lead the industry in percentage of revenue reinvested in research and development at 22 percent.

What specific results have been achieved?

- A one-megawatt capacity solar farm at SAS headquarters now generates 1.7 million kilowatt hours of renewably sourced power annually for the public electric grid.
- Electricity produced by the solar farm reduces carbon dioxide emissions from conventionally produced electricity by over 1,600 tons annually. This is equivalent to: utility-generated carbon emission offsets of planting 7,000 trees or the carbon dioxide emissions from the consumption of more than 167,000 gallons of gasoline. This is enough energy to power 160 average-size North Carolina homes or for every person in the U.S. to fully charge their cell phone or iPod.
- The regenerative drive elevators are 66 percent more energy efficient than conventional systems.
- SAS reduced the use of disposable containers and cutlery by 30 percent since Earth Day 2008 through an employee awareness campaign aimed at employees dining in Cafes.
- Installed InSinkErator pulper system in Skylight Cafe to process and reduce food wastes by up to 85% of its original volume.
- SAS saves over 2 million gallons of water annually by installing low-flow toilets, shower heads and faucet aerators in all buildings at Cary headquarters.
- SAS saves over nine million gallons of water annually by planting native and drought-resistant plants, allowing SAS to greatly reduce irrigation schedules for campus landscaping.
- From a technology perspective, SAS provides our software and media online, greatly reducing the physical size and quantity of products shipped around the world.

In what ways are the efforts of this organization/individual unique and innovative?

SAS' solar farm was constructed with particular attention to be environmentally responsible – from initial construction through continued operation.
- No trees were cut down to prepare the land for construction.
- Most of the materials used in construction are recyclable. Mounting piers are galvanized steel and panel frames are aluminum.
- Our mounting piers are unique in that they were driven deep into the ground and were not fortified with concrete footings.
- The solar farm uses sheep to maintain the grass for the array.

How has the broader community been impacted?

- The SAS solar farm provides clean, renewable power to the Progress Energy utility grid. The energy produced helps Progress Energy meet NC’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard mandated goal for Utilities to generate 12.5 percent of their power through renewable resources or energy efficiency methods by 2021.
- The solar farm creates zero waste, which means: no waste disposal costs, no money spent on foreign oil, no nuclear waste, and no carbon emissions.
- SAS employees are encouraged to pursue solar options for home installations through discount programs with local and national retailers. The solar farm has been used to demonstrate the feasibility of solar investments to visiting groups of municipal leaders, private business entrepreneurs, and leaders of large multi-national organizations. The Governor of North Carolina announced her initiatives for a greener NC from the SAS Solar Farm.
- SAS routinely provides tours of the solar farm to local schools, community business leaders, environmental groups and local businesses. We embrace the opportunity to share best practices and help with the development of sustainable business practices.