2023 Impact Report
Impact, measured.
Our 2023 Impact Report shows how Piercing Sun turned its commitments into measurable action across our clients, community, governance, economic impact, and the environment.
And the goals guiding what comes next.
2023 at a glance
Commitments translated into action.
The report connects how Piercing Sun governed, served, invested, partnered, and measured progress across five dimensions of impact.
Read the 2023 highlights as text
Governance
- Set a 2030 vision and strategy.
- Obtained WBENC certification.
- Established a non-fiduciary advisory board.
- Completed a B Impact Assessment for B Corp certification.
Community
- $1,692.27 in donations.
- 283 volunteer hours.
- Reached more than 170,000 people through five educational events.
Environment
- Offset 7,860 kg CO2e against 5,017 kg of emissions.
- Maintained carbon neutral and net zero certification.
- Supported six environmental partnerships and the 1000 Herons project.
Clients
- 75% local and independent clients served.
- Three pro bono B Impact assessments and reports.
- Community advisory and wellness initiatives.
Economic impact
- 24% net job growth, with all positions paying a living wage.
- 60% of business expenses sourced from independent local suppliers.
Economic and environmental impact
Local choices. Measurable outcomes.
Piercing Sun connected economic responsibility with environmental performance by paying living wages, sourcing locally, measuring emissions, and offsetting more carbon than the business emitted.
Read the Economic Impact infographic as text
Local Economic Development & Sustainable Growth
Our commitment to local economic development is measurable. Over the past year, we have prioritized hiring practices that ensure all positions pay a living wage and support job growth within the community. By sourcing a significant portion of our expenses from local suppliers, we reduce our carbon footprint and uphold our carbon neutrality goals.
24% net job growth rate in the last year, with all positions paying a living wage. In 2023, Piercing Sun hired a female student contractor with environmental sustainability expertise, ensuring she earned a living wage to support her education and living expenses, pay tuition, and graduate with practical experience. This investment supported her growth and reinforced the company's commitment to equity and sustainable development.
60% of business expenses sourced from local suppliers. Piercing Sun sourced 60% of its non-labor expenses from local independent suppliers. This reduces its carbon footprint, supports carbon neutrality and net zero goals, and ensures fair treatment, valuable feedback, and just compensation for independent contractors.
Reducing the carbon footprint by sourcing local
- Total carbon emissions
- 5,017 kg CO2e
- Carbon emissions offset
- 7,860 kg CO2e
- Emissions by scope
- Scope 1: 0%; Scope 2: 74%; Scope 3: 26%.
- Total 2023 footprint
- 9.04 tCO2e, fully offset.
Equivalent annual impact
- 2 passenger vehicles taken off the road for one year.
- 1.8 homes' electricity use for one year.
- 150 tree saplings grown for ten years.
| Source | Activity | Emissions |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle travel | 12,000 miles driven | 4.90 tCO2e |
| Goods and services | 123 transactions | 1.14 tCO2e |
| Natural gas | 846 therms | 0.96 tCO2e |
| Flight travel | 2 trips | 0.80 tCO2e |
| Waste | 2,538 lbs | 0.64 tCO2e |
| Electricity | 8,092 kWh | 0.50 tCO2e |
| Internet | 8,760 device hours | 0.10 tCO2e |
Flight travel reflects employee occupancy on each flight. The average plane has a capacity of 100–300 passengers; the total carbon footprint of the flights is therefore many times greater than the employee-attributed amount reported here. Equivalencies are based on the EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator.
Explore the full picture.
Read the complete report for the methods, commitments, partnerships, environmental detail, and goals behind Piercing Sun's 2023 impact.