Salesforce strengthens its commitment to the SDGs at Dreamforce 2019

Salesforce has announced the company’s continued commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with $17 million dollars in grants and a pledge of one million employee volunteer hours over the next year. Salesforce has also joined the United Nations Global Compact, signed the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles and the company’s emissions reductions targets were approved by the Science Based Targets initiative.

“This year we're bringing our commitment to the SDGs to life at Dreamforce and encouraging all of our attendees to take meaningful action,” said Suzanne DiBianca, chief impact officer and EVP of corporate relations, Salesforce. “Together, we can push further and faster to effectively address the world’s most pressing challenges.”

Adopted by 193 countries, the 17 SDGs measure the collective progress against the world’s most pressing challenges, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice. Salesforce is committed to achieving Goals 4: Quality Education; 5: Gender Equality; 7: Affordable and Clean Energy; 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth; 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; and 13: Climate Action.

Over the next year, Salesforce will invest $17 million to advance the SDGs through grants to nonprofit partners and volunteer one million hours to support the SDGs. Employees are encouraged to use their volunteer time off (VTO) to volunteer at a school, plant trees or share their technical expertise with nonprofits through Salesforce’s Pro Bono Program.

Salesforce has joined the United Nations Global Compact initiative, a voluntary global leadership platform with ten universally accepted principles for companies to align on the development, implementation and disclosure of responsible business practices to build a better world. Salesforce is committed to making the principles of the UN Global Compact part of its strategy, culture and day-to-day operations.

Salesforce has also signed the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles, committing to seven principles that emphasize the business case for corporate action to promote gender equality and women's empowerment. Women’s empowerment is a critical pillar of global sustainability and imperative to building an inclusive economy.

Earlier this year, Salesforce, along with a coalition of business, civil society and UN leaders, committed to set 1.5°C science-based emissions reduction targets, the ambitious goal needed to prevent the damaging effects of climate change. The Science Based Targets initiative has approved Salesforce’s emissions reduction targets — advancing Salesforce’s commitment to creating a sustainable, low-carbon future and economy.

Through interactive experiences at Dreamforce, attendees will better understand the SDGs and their personal impact. By completing stops onsite through the interactive Quest, a campus-wide experience, attendees can collectively unlock $1 million that Salesforce will donate to three organizations focused on advancing the SDGs: UN Women, United Nations Foundation and World’s Largest Lesson in partnership with UNICEF.