AT&T Inc

Lobbying Governance

AI Extracted Evidence Snippet Source

Our approach is integrated into our business through Board of Directors oversight, officer-level leadership of initiatives across relevant departments, and collaboration among dedicated teams of corporate responsibility professionals and subject matter experts throughout the company. The Governance and Policy Committee (GPC) of our Board of Directors has the highest level of responsibility for climate related activities within AT&T. The GPC is briefed by the Senior Vice President of Corporate Responsibility and Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) on climate-related issues as they relate to AT&T's overall strategy. The GPC provides input and guidance in the development of our climate-related strategy and transition plan, as well as our programmatic and managerial approach to environmental issues. Our CSO discusses components of our Climate Strategy and Transition Plan with investors, and we also publish the plan on our website. In addition, our Corporate Responsibility Governance Council is led by our CSO and comprises more than a dozen officers who lead the business operations aligned to our most important environmental, social and governance focus areas. AT&T Board members demonstrate working knowledge of sustainable business practices, and several have experience and competence regarding climate-related issues. One of our directors has been deeply engaged with nonprofits/NGOs focused on global environmental issues. Three of our directors have experience as CEOs of companies with numerous public environmental related targets and initiatives.

https://sustainability.att.com/ViewFile?fileGuid=01b84e21-1bbf-4696-98d8-3f9cbec733bd

### Governance

We rely on several policies, oversight structures, management roles and procedures to manage climate-related risks and opportunities at AT&T.

#### Policies

* **Environmental Statement:** The AT&T Environmental Statement addresses our approach to managing the impacts of climate change. The policy guides us in helping our customers be more sustainable, reduce our own GHG emissions and increase resilience throughout our operations.
* **Climate Strategy & Transition Plan:** Our Climate Strategy & Transition Plan describes our approach to supporting the transition to a net zero economy.

#### Board of Directors Oversight

* **Governance & Policy Committee (GPC):** The GPC of the AT&T Board of Directors (Board) meets no fewer than four times per year to assist the Board in oversight of AT&T's Governance practices and Corporate Responsibility strategy, including related policies, programs and sustainability reporting. In 2023, the GPC held four regularly scheduled meetings, which included climate initiatives and reporting information.
* **Audit Committee:** The Audit Committee of the Board oversees our internal audit of Corporate Responsibility reporting and our integration of Corporate Responsibility issues into corporate enterprise risk management analysis.

#### Climate-Related Management Roles

* **Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO):** Our CSO, who is also our Senior Vice President of Corporate Responsibility, oversees AT&T's climate strategy. Our CSO receives weekly updates on climate-related activities and developments throughout the business. Our CSO is also present at GPC meetings for sustainability dialogue.
* **Corporate Responsibility (CR) Governance Council:** Our CR Governance Council is led by our CSO and is composed of more than a dozen officers representing business operations aligned to our most important sustainability focus areas. It meets multiple times per year and collaborates across a broad range of initiatives, competencies and perspectives.
* **Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Global Environmental Sustainability:** As a direct report to the CSO, the AVP of Global Environmental Sustainability oversees AT&T's climate-related strategy and leads our Environment Committee, which comprises business leaders from across the company.
* **Environmental Sustainability Team:** Members of our Global Environmental Sustainability team, also led by our AVP of Global Environmental Sustainability, monitor internal and external climate-related developments and communicate the most relevant issues to the CSO. The team works closely with business unit experts to implement and enhance programs and policies addressing climate-related risks and opportunities for AT&T.
* **Senior Vice President (SVP) of Engineering & Operations:** Our SVP of Engineering and Operations has responsibility for the resilience of our network, including energy and water use. This position also oversees our commitments to renewable energy procurement, energy efficiency, network disaster response and business continuity planning.

#### Climate-Related Ties to Leadership Compensation

* **Executive Officers:** Our CEO and other Named Executive Officers have short-term incentives focused on strategic measures such as "advancing our ESG priorities, especially worker health and safety, global emissions reduction and helping to narrow the digital divide." In 2023, attainment was demonstrated, in part, through our reduction of AT&T Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions. Read more in our most recent Proxy Statement.
* **Senior Leaders:** Demonstrated progress toward and achievement of goals that address climate-related issues, such as our approved science-based carbon reduction targets and our 2035 carbon neutral goal, are part of the annual performance objectives for our CSO. Our VP of Implementation, Provisioning and Optimization and other senior leaders across our business have energy efficiency and optimization goals that contribute to our carbon reduction objectives. Performance toward such goals is considered when these individuals' supervisors determine annual merit salary increases and bonus awards.

For more information about how remuneration is tied to the management of climate-related issues, please visit our Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures Report.

#### Management Practices

* **Updating GHG Emissions Management:** Our GHG emissions management program and reporting tools evolve with the changing landscape and scope of our company, as well as with relevant standards, protocols and best practices. We work with an integrated energy services provider to compile, analyze and produce annual reports related to our GHG emissions. The content and methods related to data calculation, estimation and aggregation are reviewed each year to identify opportunities for improvement.
* **Automating Emissions Data:** We have continued our work of automating significant portions of our GHG emissions data collection and the calculations associated with our annual GHG emissions statement. The goal is to reduce data collection and processing time, speed up data validation and decrease the likelihood of human error. Learn more about our methodologies for calculating emissions.
* **Corporate Responsibility Reporting Quality:** We evaluate sustainability topics through our stakeholder engagement efforts and evaluate those topics for inclusion in our corporate enterprise risk management process. We obtained annual, limited independent assurance of our Scope 1, 2 and select Scope 3 emissions in accordance with the International Standard for Assurance Engagements 3000 (Revised). The rigor of this process helps us realize year-over-year improvements in accuracy. Learn more in the Independent Accountant's Report.
* **Oversight of GHG Emissions:** The AT&T Implementation, Provisioning and Optimization organization, which sits in our Network Engineering and Operations organization, oversees numerous aspects of our business that impact GHG emissions. This includes energy efficiency and energy conservation measures, decommissioning activities and renewable energy purchases. Other measures affecting our emissions—such as our fleet—are managed within distinct departments in accordance with organizational procedures.

https://sustainability.att.com/priority-topics/climate-change-ghg

Describe the process(es) your organization has in place to ensure that your engagement activities are consistent with your overall climate change strategy[…]We engage in activities that align with our Climate Change Policy and strategy. When assessing organizations to support and/or partner/collaborate with, we ensure their values and goals align with ours and therefore also align with the Paris agreement.

CDP Questionnaire Response 2022

Does your organization have a public commitment or position statement to conduct your engagement activities in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement?[…]Yes

CDP Questionnaire Response 2023