Through a historical and pivotal 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic and separation into two companies, Nielsen has remained strongly committed to its environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities and performance. Today, we published our 2021 Interim Responsibility Update to provide our stakeholders with a snapshot of our ESG story during an unprecedented year. 

“This 2021 Interim Responsibility Update covers our progress during this unprecedented year and helps us to close an important era for our business,” says David Kenny, Chief Executive Officer, Nielsen, in the update’s opening letter. “As we move forward as a media-focused company, our commitment to our environmental, social and governance values and standards remains as strong as ever, enabling us to move forward in our company’s purpose to power a better media future for all people.”

The update focuses on highlights across the key areas of Nielsen’s ESG strategy, including diversity, equity & inclusion (DE&I), human capital, environment, community engagement, data privacy & security and governance. This update also includes a refreshed Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) index. Highlights from our Interim Responsibility Update include:

• We expanded focus and commitments on DE&I, including a commitment to fight racism with action and a small business support website to connect Black-owned small businesses with Nielsen resources. We also stood up for public policies like a permanent Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals solution and the removal of a proposed U.S. Census citizenship question.
• We prioritized the health, safety and well-being of employees around the world during COVID-19, providing additional paid sick leave, remote work stipends and other programs, in addition to implementing strict safety protocols. We also expanded mental health programming and support, including a mental health hub, a time back challenge and a mental health day away. 
• We achieved our environmental goal to ensure that 0% of electronic waste (e-waste), processed through Nielsen’s infrastructure team, goes to landfills.
• We donated over $25 million in pro bono work, skills-based volunteering and in-kind giving in 2020, more than doubling the annual goal of $10 million. Nielsen employees also logged almost 393,000 volunteer hours from 2016 through 2020, surpassing the goal of 300,000.

Learn more and access our 2021 Interim Responsibility Update.