We acknowledge the inherent value of the natural environment.
Protecting the Environment
We recognise that our business activities have a direct and indirect impact on the environment and we endeavour to manage these in a responsible manner. We are committed to a programme of continuous improvement to minimise our impact on the environment.
The principles in our Environment Policy form part of our integrity value, and will be integrated into our business strategy.
This policy is reviewed annually to ensure it reflects the current interests of our stakeholders and they are encouraged to provide feedback on the nature and operation of the policy.
Responsibility for this aspect of our CSR programme sits with:
- Finance Director, Secure Solutions (UK & Ireland)
(with specific support from the Procurement, Property and Energy & Environment Directors.) - Chair, CSR Steering Committee, Cash Services (UK)
The G4S 2009 total carbon footprint estimated for 100percent of the business equates to some 628,000 t/CO2e.
Our carbon footprint
Through operational year on year growth we expect that our direct carbon emissions will grow proportionately, we established a G4S average carbon intensity of 93 tonnes of CO2e per £1m of revenue at 2009 exchange rates. At the same exchange rates our carbon intensity for 2008 was 89 tonnes of CO2e per £1m of revenue.
In certain regions, particularly the Middle East, G4S employs a significant proportion of expatriate employees. Due to the operational nature of those contracts, G4S provides 24/7 care including accommodation and transport. We have therefore included the full carbon footprint of their employment and have calculated an average group measurement across the group of 1 tonne of CO2e per employee.
Since 2008, our total reported emissions have increased by 5% per £1m of revenue, in part through the inclusion of additional countries and new high carbon intensity operations such as G4S Care & Justice Services, G4S Risk Management and G4S Integrated Services UK. We have also used the lessons learned from our 2008 carbon footprint measurement to make improvements locally to our energy reporting processes.
Carbon footprint: Approach and coverage (2009)
Building on the progress we made in 2008 and using WBCSD+ and WRIGHG+ protocols, we have undertaken a measurement of our Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions - vehicle fleet, fuel, refrigerants, and electricity usage for G4S occupied businesses over which we have operational control. In addition, we have measured Scope 3 emissions from employee business air travel.
The businesses measured in our 2009 carbon footprint represent 94% of the group's operations. We believe that the data collected and analysed for such a significant proportion of the group's operations, including each of our different service types, allows us to accurately estimate the carbon emissions for 100% of the group's businesses.