Turning Earth Month into Action at Gen

For more than 50 years, Earth Month (April) has been a global reminder that real change starts with everyday action.  

At Gen, that idea shows up through our people — how we think, how we build and how we show up in our communities. Because creating a safer digital world goes hand in hand with supporting a healthier, more resilient planet. Earth Month is an opportunity to bring that idea to life.  

In 2026, teams across Gen took action in ways that were local, collective and accessible. From employee-led volunteer efforts like beach and river cleanups, planting pollinator-friendly flowers and donating to environmentally focused nonprofits, we made a meaningful impact in the communities where we live and work. Employees around the world also participated virtually, engaging with global sustainability leaders and “taking an hour” for the planet through a digital campaign.  

Here are a few highlights from this year’s activities. 

Learning from leaders driving environmental change 

In 2017, Flossie Donnelly began organizing beach cleanups in her local community in Ireland at just 10 years old. Today, she is co-founder of Flossie and the Beach Cleaners, a leading nonprofit and a nationwide movement focused on reducing plastic pollution and protecting marine ecosystems. 

Flossie joined Gen team members on Earth Day as part of our global webinar, From Inspiration to Impact, held in collaboration with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). She was joined by WAGGGS member Terry Aketch, co-founder of Rafiki Peps, a waste-focused social enterprise in Kenya. The conversation spotlighted something we believe in deeply: a new generation of changemakers is driving innovation and impact through community action. 

Taking action at home 

Impact also starts at home — and we believe in making that accessible. 

That’s the idea behind our Sustainable Home Improvement Program (SHIP), which marked its fourth anniversary this Earth Month. The program is a unique initiative that provides employees with grants of up to $500 per year for eligible home projects that benefit the environment. 

In fiscal 2026, we supported 3,249 employee-led projects worldwide, with more than half of employees participating. From installing home solar panels and upgrading to energy-efficient appliances to creating and renovating home gardens, SHIP helps make sustainability practical, personal and accessible.  

Throughout the month, employees also took part in activities designed to make participation easy from anywhere. These included an Action Blitz where team members shared sustainable habits, an Earth Month quiz and learning sessions focused on climate and environmental impact. These simple activations helped make action easy, growing our participation and in turn, our collective impact. 

Connecting innovation and environmental impact 

At Gen, innovation isn’t just about advancing technology — it's about applying our expertise and creativity in ways that create positive change.  

This year, we partnered with Goodera to explore the intersection of innovation and impact through a workshop using generative AI to design posters promoting eco-friendly habits. The session contributed to a growing library of educational resources supporting Materials for the Arts and broader environmental awareness efforts — demonstrating how technology can help scale positive impact. To help offset the event’s footprint, we planted trees with One Tree Planted. 

Beyond earth month  

While Earth Month is one important moment, empowering employees to take action for the planet is a longstanding pillar of our Global Impact program. This commitment continues throughout the year. Through partnerships, community initiatives and innovative technology, we are focused on creating an impact that lasts — both online and offline. 

To learn more about how Gen supports the environment, view our latest Impact Report.