directly aligns with many of the SDGs , especially Goal # 7 ( Affordable and Clean Energy ), Goal # 9 ( Industry , Innovation , and Infrastructure ), Goal # 11 ( Sustainable Cities and Communities ), and Goal # 13 ( Climate Action ). Reducing our own footprint is our responsibility , but extending our handprint is our passion .
We are proud of the fact that for every metric ton of CO2 that we emitted last year , we helped our clients avoid over 100 metric tons .
People at the Forefront
We also recognize the social implications of the shift to a Net Zero economy . This past year we invested in our supplier diversity program to support our clients ’ goals for including diverse and disadvantaged businesses . Over a quarter of our total spend ( 26.1 %) was with certified diverse and small businesses in FY22 .
We further advance our commitments to diversity and inclusion by focusing on diverse talent and growing our cultural committees . Our intern program reached a new milestone with 368 hires this summer , 64 % of whom were diverse . Following their internships , we were able to hire 98 as full-time employees this fall and many more will return as interns next summer . Participation in our Women ’ s Network , People Committee , and D & I Committee continues to grow as we elevate inclusion principles for all .
Our network of sustainability champions has also grown , with 89 Sustainability Coordinators and various office Green Teams now driving change on the ground and promoting best practices . Last year we had over 700 people participating in our biennial corporate Earth Day competition . In 2022 , we launched a six-part webinar series on Climate Connections to engage our employees in this critical conversation .
A central aspect of our culture has always been our strong commitment to health and safety . While “ zero incidents / zero harm ” will always be our goal , our Total Recordable Incident Rate ( TRIR ) of
0.26 for FY22 reflects a strong performance , with effective engagement and commitment to continual improvement across our organization .
In our role as a responsible and responsive partner , we embrace the trust our employees and clients place in us as we continue to work toward a more sustainable future . Placing ESG and Sustainability at the center of how we create value enables a positive impact for our people and the planet . Clients hire us for our innovative reputation and the effective ways we execute complex projects . We take pride in that and are investing in our people and our technologies to deliver for the future - whether integrating renewable and alternative energy sources , innovating new approaches for the hydrogen economy and carbon capture , investing in hardened and sustainable infrastructure of all types , or exploring yet-to-bedeveloped technologies . We aspire to be the best place to work in our industry and the destination of choice for the most talented professionals . Our culture promotes the integration of safety , quality , and sustainability in all our actions , and we value all voices as we build a business that embraces both novel and trusted ideas .
We are energized by the opportunities to achieve our Vision of making the Earth a better place , and our commitment to this Vision gives purpose to the work we do every day . As we use our skill and expertise to help shape and implement our client ’ s journeys , we recognize that a practical approach yields a higher likelihood of the desired outcomes and a greater impact on society and our planet as a whole . We thank you for your support and welcome feedback on our program and progress .
Christopher P . Vincze Chairman and CEO of TRC
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