AMD reports on CSR for 2009

SUNNYVALE, USA: AMD has released a new web hub page and brochure outlining its corporate responsibility performance for 2009, a year that marked strategic changes for the company’s business, as well as changes for AMD’s approach to corporate responsibility and reporting going forward.

AMD is improving transparency of its corporate responsibility reporting by issuing more frequent, timely updates. Also, AMD is providing more efficient access to information with less environmental impact by publishing a small printed brochure and releasing detailed information throughout the year on AMD’s updated corporate responsibility Web page.

“While AMD’s business has changed, our commitment to being a responsible corporation is stronger than ever,” said Allyson Peerman, vice president, Public Affairs, AMD. “AMD’s corporate responsibility strategy aligns with our new business model and affirms that operating our business responsibly remains a top priority for our company.”

2009 was a redefining year for AMD with the transfer of manufacturing assets to GLOBALFOUNDRIES, the settlement of litigation with Intel, and the introduction of a new VISION Technology brand designed to simplify the PC purchasing process and drive the adoption of AMD platforms.

In particular, the creation of GLOBALFOUNDRIES and the transfer of manufacturing assets changed AMD’s environmental footprint compared with that of 2008 – shifting the majority of environmental impact to the supply chain. Consequently, AMD has now reset its environmental performance baseline to 2009 and will report future environmental performance goals based on its new business model.

The new corporate responsibility hub page provides information about AMD programs addressing environmental protection, labor, governance, community engagement and other relevant information. Additionally, AMD recently launched a new corporate responsibility blog on JustMeans.com and an online feedback mailbox to receive input from stakeholders and others around the world.

AMD’s Corporate Responsibility highlights include:

* Recognized as one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by Corporate Responsibility Officer magazine; ranked 17th of the Top 500 Greenest Companies in the U.S. by Newsweek magazine; and was named one of the Top 50 Green Power Partners by the U.S. EPA.

* Delivered microprocessors with improved computing performance-per-watt to help extend the battery life for notebook PCs and help reduce the power needed to operate servers. In 2010, AMD also introduced the AMD Opteron™ 6000 Series platform that provides a 61 percent performance boost using the same power and thermal envelope as the previous generation.

* Powered four of the top five supercomputers in the world, helping the world’s best scientists quickly and effectively research issues ranging from climate change to medical treatments.

* Expanded AMD’s signature education program, AMD Changing the Game which is designed to enable teens to learn critical science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills by creating games with social content. In the US, AMD funded the development of a youth game development curriculum with PETLab and the Boys and Girls Clubs of North America, and funded several other non-profits whose missions aligned with the program’s goals. The program grew beyond the U.S. in 2010 when AMD co-sponsored the Malaysian Cybergames Festival.

* Expanded participation of AMD employees in the company’s award winning alternative transportation program “Go Green” – a commuter program designed to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. Nearly 30 percent of U.S. employees participate in the program. As a partner with the Austin-based Clean Air Force, AMD is a pioneering member of a new pilot program that allows employees to use pre-tax income for alternative commuting options.

* Increased the number of employees who are contributing and volunteering their time to support their communities. The number of employee volunteer hours increased by more than 30 percent compared with 2008 and AMD employees donated more units of blood through on-site blood drives than in each of the previous three years.

* Launched AMD Community Corps, which links professional development to community service through programs designed to help employees make a positive impact in the community while developing their own abilities.

* Achieved LEED Gold certification for AMD’s Lone Star campus in Austin. Compared to a comparably sized non-LEED office building; the Lone Star campus, which is powered by 100 percent green energy, is estimated by AMD to use up to 19.9 percent less energy and 35 percent less indoor potable water (1.6 million gallons).