IBM touts its good citizenship

One IBM conservation project has already saved 4.9 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity

IBM has trumpeted a range of environmental and economic efforts in its latest corporate responsibility report.

The report assessed IBM's various employee and community service programmes, and its charitable and employee 'wellness' efforts.

IBM highlighted a conservation project which has saved 4.9 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity over the past 18 years at a saving of $343m (£212m).

Other initiatives include a larger employee training programme, and efforts to diversify the firm's supply chain to allow more businesses a chance to contract with the company.

"The critical issues we are addressing today, from cleaner water, to safer food, from green energy to better schools, are not only key social problems that demand our attention, but present economic opportunities that can provide real benefit for communities, especially those in greatest need," said Stanley Litow, IBM vice president of corporate citizenship and corporate affairs.

"As we seek to build a smarter planet, our business strategies need to be connected to sound corporate citizenship. They are both vitally important if we expect to achieve effective and sustainable results."