You’ve seen it on the news, and perhaps even in your own community: climate-related events are rising every year, and they can be absolutely detrimental for businesses. Whether it’s flooding that halts transportation, heat waves that stress energy grids or hurricanes that disrupt supply chains, these events can be devastating. For global organizations like Foundever, these challenges are more than environmental concerns; they are real business risks that directly affect our people, operations and ability to serve clients.
That’s why, on this year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (October 13), we’re highlighting how we’re embedding climate resilience into our global operations. Disaster risk reduction is not a new concept, but in today’s world, where climate events are increasing in frequency and intensity, it’s never been more urgent. At Foundever, we believe resilience starts with preparation, prevention and protecting what matters most: our people.
The new face of risk — climate as a business challenge
The BPO industry faces no shortage of risks: cyberattacks, geopolitical shifts, pandemics and economic uncertainty. Natural disasters and climate-related events have now joined this list as a core business threat — and unlike other risks, they directly affect the day-to-day lives of our employees.
That’s why Foundever has made climate risk scenario analysis a priority. This process evaluates the potential impacts of various climate change scenarios on our sites, supply chains and people. From extreme weather events that could disrupt employee safety to regulatory shifts around carbon emissions, these risks affect not only operations but also human wellbeing.
As Manish Mehta, Director of Compliance and ESG Risks at Foundever, explains: “Climate risk scenario analysis is crucial for Foundever because climate change poses significant risks to our sites, our vendors and our ability to serve customers. By understanding these risks, we can develop strategies to protect our people, strengthen our infrastructure and ensure continuity for our clients.”
To hold ourselves accountable, we’ve established a global KPI: every Foundever site must complete its climate risk scenario analysis by 2028. By then, all +150 locations will have a clear risk profile and action plan, giving us the foresight to adapt and prevent disruptions before they happen.
We have additionally set near-term goals to drive climate action and build the foundation for long-term resilience. Recently, Foundever achieved a significant milestone in our climate journey: the verification and approval of our net-zero emissions targets by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), for the second time in a row and at the highest level (3 stars). This recognition reinforces our commitment to meaningful, science-based action on climate change.
Why disaster risk reduction matters
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, adopted by the United Nations, sets a global standard for how countries and organizations can prevent and reduce disaster risk. At its heart, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is about protecting people, safeguarding infrastructure and ensuring continuity in the face of disruption.
The importance of DRR is underscored by recent events. Hurricanes in the Americas, floods in Asia and wildfires across Europe have all highlighted the economic and human costs of unpreparedness. For businesses, these events can halt operations, disrupt client services and, most importantly, endanger employees.
At Foundever, we see DRR as more than a compliance exercise. It is an essential part of how we build trust with our people and clients.
“By conducting this analysis,” Manish adds, “we can anticipate vulnerabilities and act proactively, rather than waiting until an event disrupts our operations. It’s about moving from reaction to prevention — and ensuring that resilience is part of how we work every day.”
Our approach to disaster avoidance
Resilience is the result of deliberate planning and investment. At Foundever, our approach to disaster avoidance includes:
- Risk assessments and scenario planning: Using climate models and location-specific data, we anticipate risks and develop tailored mitigation strategies.
- Infrastructure resilience: From cloud-based systems to backup power sources, we design operations that can withstand disruption.
- Employee training and awareness: We empower our teams to understand risks, practice emergency protocols and feel confident in their role during a crisis.
Our Berlin site in Germany recently piloted this process. The local team completed training, decided on a lead focal point and collaborated to complete the risk analysis. After review and approval, the findings were loaded into our business continuity management system — now serving as a model for other countries.
“Completing our climate risk scenario analysis marks a pivotal step in aligning operational resilience with environmental responsibility,” says the operational site director at Foundever in Berlin. “We recognize that climate risk isn’t just a future concern — it’s a current imperative. This analysis empowers us to make smarter, more sustainable decisions that protect our people, our clients, and the communities we serve.”
The Foundever® disaster recovery framework
Even with the best prevention, unexpected events can occur.
That’s why Foundever has a disaster recovery framework designed to minimize downtime and keep clients connected:
- Incident response protocols ensure rapid, coordinated action.
- Business continuity planning keeps operations moving, even when sites are impacted.
- Clear communication strategies keep employees and clients informed.
- Post-event analysis helps us learn, adapt and strengthen systems for the future.
Climate risk scenario analysis strengthens each of these processes. For example, it helps optimize resource allocation so critical operations can continue even under extreme conditions, while also supporting regulatory compliance under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.
Empowering people for resilience
Technology and processes are essential, but resilience starts with people. Foundever integrates employee engagement into every stage of disaster preparedness.
- Training programs prepare employees for climate-related emergencies and build awareness of our continuity plans.
- Feedback loops ensure our resilience strategies reflect the real-world needs and insights of our people.
- A global footprint enables flexible resource allocation — when one site is impacted, others can step in to maintain service.
“Our employees are at the center of every decision we make,” says Manish. “Ultimately, every system, every analysis and every investment we make regarding resilience is about protecting them first. When our people feel safe and supported, our business is stronger too.”
Looking ahead
Foundever has committed to reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 54.6% by 2033, part of our broader ESG strategy. But sustainability and resilience go hand in hand. Climate scenario risk analysis is one way we’re ensuring that as we grow, we’re also protecting our people, clients and communities.
This year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is a reminder that resilience is not just about reacting when things go wrong. We should anticipate risks, prevent crises and create a safer future.
At Foundever, we’re committed to staying a step ahead. That means preparing for tomorrow’s challenges while putting people at the center of everything we do.
Building resilience together
Resilience is a shared responsibility. By investing in disaster risk reduction today, we can protect our people, our clients and the communities where we live and work.
This October 13, we invite you to reflect on the role resilience plays in your own organization — and to join us in building a safer, stronger future.
To invest in this effort, learn how Foundever integrates sustainability into disaster risk reduction.