Better Health for All

Core Scientific's principal service, Bitcoin mining, is linked to severe, widespread health damage. A study analyzing 34 Bitcoin mining sites between August 2022 and July 2023 found that 1.9 million Americans were exposed to harmful PM2.5 levels due to the electricity consumption, primarily from fossil fuels.

This constitutes major health-harming externalities, with significant community health impacts. The study highlights the cross-state nature of this pollution, impacting air quality in multiple states.

Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing

No specific, quantifiable evidence was found across the provided articles to score any of the KPIs related to Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing. While Core Scientific's Supplier Code of Conduct outlines expectations for suppliers regarding compliance with laws, child labor, conflict minerals, and anti-corruption, it does not provide percentages for ethical clause coverage, audit frequency, traceability, or the number of substantiated violations or their remediation speed.

Similarly, there is no data on fair-trade certified spend, high-risk materials spend, or supplier diversity. The requirement for suppliers to certify products are free of conflict minerals is a policy, not a quantitative measure of the share of spend on high-risk materials.

Honest & Fair Business

Core Scientific has a Whistleblower Policy for reporting complaints regarding accounting and auditing matters, providing a Compliance & Ethics Hotline and email addresses.

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors oversees the investigation of concerns raised about accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters. The company commits to conducting business consistent with the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, UK Bribery Act, and all other applicable anti-corruption laws, with a zero-tolerance policy for bribery, corruption, extortion, and embezzlement, and requires transparent business dealings reflected in books and records. However, the policy's training frequency and effectiveness metrics are not specified. The company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, was audited by Marcum LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Supplier Code of Conduct requires suppliers to permit Core Scientific and its agents, including third parties, to assess compliance through inspections, record reviews, and employee interviews.

Kind to Animals

Core Scientific, Inc. has a stated policy of "No animal testing."

The company has not used animals in any testing since 2010, with historical data fully disclosed. Given its business model of digital asset mining services, digital infrastructure, software solutions, and HPC hosting, the company does not engage in activities that would typically involve animal-derived products, animal husbandry, or related R&D, making many animal welfare KPIs not applicable.

No War, No Weapons

No information is provided in the articles regarding Core Scientific Inc.'s involvement in arms manufacturing, military contracts, dual-use technologies, sales to embargoed regimes, peacebuilding initiatives, or any other metrics related to the 'No War, No Weapons' ethical value.

The provided articles focus on financial performance, digital infrastructure, and market data, without addressing any of the specific KPIs in the rubric.

Planet-Friendly Business

Core Scientific sourced 88% of its operational energy consumption from renewables in 2023.

The company has a stated net-zero target year of 2025 and a carbon neutrality goal for 2024. However, there is no evidence of verified third-party progress for these targets.

Safe & Smart Tech

Core Scientific has not identified any risks from cybersecurity threats or previous cybersecurity incidents that have, or are likely to, materially affect its business.

The company provides hands-on and role-specific security training annually to employees with network access, including spear phishing and other awareness training, and conducts simulated phishing exercises. Digital assets use encryption techniques, and the company encrypts user data while stored in its Plexus service systems. Core Scientific states it does not presently share or sell user information to other companies, and users can request access, changes, or deletion of their personal data. The company implements security procedures such as two-factor verification, segregated accounts, and secured facilities, and plans to implement cold storage. It monitors cybersecurity through regular vulnerability scans, penetration tests, and threat intelligence feeds, and conducts red team programming to stress test systems. The company collects personal information and retains it for 12 months from last engagement, or as required by law. It complies with applicable laws and regulations, including OFAC sanctions, and monitors regulatory developments in cryptocurrency mining.