BUSINESS: Going Green: Material Mindset National Vision Releases 2023 Sustainability Report By Staff Wednesday, August 28, 2024 8:25 AM DULUTH, Ga.—National Vision, Inc. (NASDAQ: EYE) has announced the release of its 2023 sustainability report, “A World Worth Seeing.” According to the optical retailer, the report reflects continued progress across its Social, Employees, Environment and Governance (SEE+G) framework. “In 2023, National Vision helped nearly 10 million people see better and live better. Our success as a business is deeply intertwined with our commitment to improving lives through accessible and affordable eyecare and eyewear,” said CEO Reade Fahs. “This report reflects our continued strides in our commitment to sustainability and long-term growth as a means to build a better future.” Highlights from National Vision’s 2023 sustainability report include the following: Societal Impact: More than $4.1 million was donated by National Vision and its charitable foundation, 20/20 Quest, with more than 1.4 million lives impacted by its philanthropic activities. Employees: Continued dedication to the training and advancement of National Vision associates and affiliated optometrists, including providing $100,000 in scholarships to associates’ children, and hosting more than 1,200 optometrists for the 2023 Continuing Education Symposium, which offered access to 22 hours of continuing education credits. Environment: Continued electronic health records rollout to more locations across the country and completed energy-efficient lighting improvements across all of its facilities. Governance: Completed a phaseout of classified board structure and strengthened the company’s supplier sustainability commitments, including updating its supplier code of conduct. “This report showcases the true team effort underpinning our progress across the four pillars of our SEE+G framework,” said Jared Brandman, SVP, general counsel and secretary, who leads the company’s sustainability efforts. “It also highlights our continued commitment to improving our ability to capture and disclose the information that our stakeholders find most meaningful.” According to the company, the report is aligned with recognized guidelines including those developed by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.