Platts, like its parent, The McGraw-Hill Companies, believes in corporate responsibility and considers it a top priority. Platts’ commitment to social responsibility is evidenced by its professional activities as well the contributions it makes to the many communities where it conducts business.

Platts’ product offerings increasingly meet the need for information and services in a world where resources are constrained and environmental and human sustainability is of concern to civil society. For example, Platts’ data and information offerings now include the emerging carbon emissions, bio- and renewable fuels, and liquefied natural gas markets. In addition, Platts implements a variety of recycling programs to help reduce its environmental footprint and waste stream.

Across the globe, Platts seeks opportunities to assist non-profit organizations and support its employees’ commitment to giving back to their communities. Its fundraising and volunteer activities largely focus on helping under-privileged children, disaster-relief efforts, and disadvantaged families with health and literacy challenges.

Across the globe, Platts staff are teaming up to raise money for worthy causes. Their efforts range from benefit dinners to competitive sports events. Annual events in Asia, Europe and the Americas exemplify employees’ commitment to fundraising:

WellChild Benefit –- Since 2003, Platts has been the title sponsor of the annual Energy Dinner in London in support of the UK’s national WellChild charity, which aids children with illness and their families. This annual event is attended by 500 energy traders, brokers, lawyers and bankers, and raised more than £170 000 in 2009.

Futsal Challenge -- In 2004, Platts organized its first Futsal Challenge, a fundraising event in Singapore to aid underprivileged children in Tsunami-devastated Southeast Asia. In the four years since Platts volunteers began organizing and promoting this event, it has attracted an increasing number of participants from the energy community and raised more than US$78 000.

Denim Day – Since 2007, Platts has sponsored an annual “Denim Day” in Houston to raise funds to fight breast cancer. Employees pay for the privilege of wearing blue jeans to work with the funds they’ve pledged donated to a local breast cancer programs.

Run for the Cure – Fighting breast cancer is also a high priority for Platts’ staff in London. This team of “Platts Pink Panthers” ran five kilometers and miles raised ?800 (US$ 1 200) for Cancer Research UK in 2008.

From New York to Washington, D.C. and other cities worldwide. Platts employees lend their time and energy to help local non-profit organizations advance their missions. The efforts undertaken by Platts team in Houston exemplify the spirit of community volunteerism that is common to all offices.

Helping the needy has been a major thrust for Platts volunteer efforts in Houston. Since 2005, employees have been active in the collection of non-perishable food items for donation to the Houston Food Bank, and since 2007, they have delivered several hundred pounds of non-perishable items to the Star of Hope Mission, a downtown Houston homeless shelter.They have also partnered since 2007 with the local chapter of the Blue Star Moms in supply drives to support the families of members of the U.S. armed forces. Through these efforts, Platts helped fill more than 70 boxes of supplies to send overseas.

The Platts team in Houston has also been committed to improving literacy. Since 2005, as part of McGraw-Hill’s Global Volunteer Day, employees have served as tutors at the Houston READ Commission, a local adult literacy organization which has also benefited from $6 000 in grant monies from McGraw-Hill.