Barclays PLC
From Lauraibm
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Barclays PLC Environmental Policy
We are aware that, as a global financial services organisation, we have a significant impact on the environment. We take this issue seriously and our strategy for reducing this impact is integral to the way we conduct our business.
Our aims are to:
1. Reduce our impact on the environment
- By using energy and fuel more efficiently.
- By reducing our use of resources (such as water and paper).
- By improving waste management through reduction, re-use and recycling.
2. Implement an environmental management system in key operations worldwide.
3. Manage the environmental risk associated with Barclays activities.
This means ensuring that environmental risk is managed in business lending and the supply chain decisions worldwide.
4. Be one of the leaders in environmental responsibility.
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Measuring Impact upon the Environment
We have set five-year improvement targets to measure our environmental performance. Our progress is shown here and in the Corporate Responsibility Report.
We believe setting targets is important. They help drive cost savings and operational efficiency. They also improve purchasing decisions and substantiate our reputation as a company which takes its environmental responsibilities seriously.
Our UK targets for 2006–2010 are detailed here. Performance is measured against our 2005 baseline unless otherwise stated.
Climate change
- Reduce total CO2 emissions by 20 per cent (using 2000 as the baseline).
- Reduce carbon intensity from 16.8 tonnes CO2 to 12.6 tonnes CO2 per £1million of UK income.
- Reduce energy consumption from offices and branches per employee by 20 per cent at a rate of no less than four per cent each year.
- Improve energy efficiency in data centres.
Resource Use
- Reduce water consumption per employee by 20 per cent at a rate of no less than four per cent each year.
- Reduce A4 copier paper consumption per employee by 10 per cent at a rate of no less than two per cent each year.
- Maintain percentage of recycled copier paper used above 80 per cent of total use.
Waste Management
- Reduce volume of general waste generated at major sites by 20 per cent at a rate of no less than four per cent each year.
- Increase volume of waste recycled at major sites by 20 per cent at a rate of no less than four per cent each year.
- Reuse or recycle 95 per cent of waste IT equipment each year.
Global targets for 2006 – 2010 are:
- Reduce energy consumption per employee by five per cent at a rate of no less than one per cent each year.
- Reduce water consumption per employee by five per cent at a rate of no less than one per cent each year.
- Reduce A4 copier paper consumption per head by 10 per cent.
- Reuse or recycle 45 per cent of waste IT equipment each year.
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Environmental Performance in the UK
Environmental Performance in Europe
Environmental Performance in the Rest of the World
Climate Change
Climate change is now the most serious challenge facing mankind. Coping with climate change is essential to the sustainability of societies all around the world, and we need to adapt accordingly, as businesses and as individuals.
Businesses have a vital role to play, alongside governments, non-governmental organisations and others. At Barclays we are investing in our own energy efficiency and we have offset our residual carbon dioxide emissions. We also have a role in raising awareness with our customers and clients - and in helping them to adapt for success in an increasingly carbon-constrained world.
"The lens through which we will be judged will be provided by future generations - by our children and grandchildren. My test is that our children should look back at what I and Barclays did in 2007 and beyond, and be able to say 'they recognised the immensity of the challenge, they evaluated it sensibly and they were amongst the leaders who, by their actions and influence, really made a positive difference'. More than anything, I want my children to be able to look me in the eye and to say with conviction 'You played your part'." John Varley, Group Chief Executive
Barclays Climate Action Programme
- Reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by improving energy efficiency.
- Buy renewable energy.
- Make our UK operations carbon neutral by offsetting the remaining CO2 emissions.
- Offer products and services that help our customers to reduce their impact on climate change.
- Engage with key stakeholders and contribute to the debate on climate change action.
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Reducing Emissions
The greenest form of energy is the energy you don't use. The first and most important step in any climate change action plan is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Our UK carbon footprint is made up of 80 per cent energy use and 20 per cent business travel, so improving our energy efficiency must be our highest priority.
Our UK targets for 2006-2010, we are aiming to:
- Reduce CO2 emissions by 20 per cent by 2010 (using 2000 as the baseline year).
- Reduce energy consumption in offices and branches by 20 per cent per employee (FTE).
- Improve data centre efficiency.
- Reduce carbon intensity from 16.8 tonnes to 12.6 tonnes CO2 per £1m of UK income. Carbon intensity is a measure of emissions relative to business growth and it allows comparisons to be made between companies.
- Investing to save
We have committed to a multi-million pound investment in energy efficiency over the next five years. This is not only the right thing to do but with rising energy prices and increasing regulation, it makes business sense too.
More efficient data centres A key challenge facing financial institutions globally is the increasing energy demand made by data centres, which is expected to rise significantly in the next few years. Barclays is examining ways to increase efficiency, and we are currently testing new water and carbon dioxide cooling systems in our data centres. Energy efficiency improvements of around 30 per cent are expected.
Business travel Barclays is a global organisation and our overall travel emissions are increasing. Reducing them while continuing to meet our business and customers’ needs is a real challenge and we have more work to do in this area. Achievements so far include:
- Investing in better audio and video conferencing technology, and encouraging their use.
- Working with the Energy Savings Trust which is undertaking a review of our car fleet and offering recommendations for improvement.
- Developing a green travel plan for Barclaycard House in Northampton to help employees find alternatives to using their cars.
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