Accenture and the Environment
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==What the Vendor says about itself== | ==What the Vendor says about itself== | ||
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| + | Consideration for the environment is an essential aspect of our business operations. | ||
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| + | We believe that the health of our business is inextricably linked to the health of the environment in which we operate. As part of our core values and our Code of Business Ethics, we have a corporate social responsibility to understand and reduce our environmental impact. | ||
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| + | Around the world, Accenture seeks to capture and share good practice between locations, and drive change through our role as a supplier and procurer of services and as an employer. | ||
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| + | (1) | ||
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| + | ===Environment: Activities=== | ||
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| + | Pioneering ISO¹ 14001:2004 certification in Spain | ||
| + | Madrid's main office is the first Accenture location to achieve the ISO 14001:2004 certification (see below for more details) across its consulting, solutions and outsourcing businesses. A multi-workforce team of five employees designed and developed an environmental management system—noted as highly innovative by the certification body's third-party auditor—that uses processes to drive more efficient energy consumption, recycling and reducing paper use, as well as separating and managing waste generated by the office. Established in 1996, ISO 14001 attainment is recognized worldwide as demonstrating a commitment to improving environmental performance—a matter of increasing concern for Accenture clients and employees. Accenture Madrid achieved the ISO 14001:2004 certification in May 2006, within just nine months of initiating the project. "ISO 14001" certification is based on continuous improvement," says Juan Ignacio de Arcos, senior executive. "During our quarterly Environment Committee meetings we review the metrics to meet annual objectives and assist other countries as ISO 14001certification is extended across more Accenture locations in Spain." Communication has been vital in inspiring Accenture employees to maintain certification standards and includes posters, training and a website for advice and feedback. In the last three years, Accenture in Spain has run several initiatives resulting in reducing its use of plastic bottles by 800,000, recycling 300 mobile phones annually and donating unused computers to local not-for-profit organizations. | ||
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| + | Environmental standards success in Bangalore, India | ||
| + | The Facilities & Services team at the Accenture India Builder Corporation Knowledge Park facility in Bangalore is the second location to gain ISO 14001:2004 certification following the implementation of an environment management system. The certification recognizes the achievement of globally recognized standards to control and improve environmental performance, with the environmental management system framework establishing conservation programs for energy, water and paper as well as managing legal compliance, waste management and emergency preparedness and response. Potential energy savings in the region of 8 percent—US$133,300 per annum (INR 6,000,000)—can be achieved. Initiatives have brought in biodegradable materials, measures to control noise and safeguard air quality, as well as facilitating the donation of unwanted computer equipment to charities. This Accenture Bangalore facility was also awarded the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series 18001 certification for its health and safety systems, being the first location in Accenture's global network to receive these awards. "Achieving the combined certification is testament to the quality of our systems and processes," says Rekha Menon, Human Capital & Diversity lead for India. "We are committed to maintaining this high standard." Computer-based training helped develop employees' environmental awareness and internal communication campaigns continue to influence their attitudes. | ||
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| + | Action with Attitude in Brazil | ||
| + | Twelve months since the launch of Accenture Brazil's broad cultural change initiative known as the Attitude Program, the environmental aspects of the program have been so successful that now they are being implemented in project sites within clients' offices. In addition to trading recyclable waste collected in Accenture Brazil's offices for recycled materials—such as envelopes, notepads and pens—a 45 percent average reduction in paper usage has been achieved as a direct result of double-sided printing. What is more, Accenture's environmental policies and procedures are supporting social enterprise initiatives such as Accenture Curitiba, for example, where waste given to garbage collectors is sold to the recycling industry for a small profit, providing an additional income for local people, many of whom are homeless. Accenture executives are invited to undertake training programs that create awareness of the environmental challenges faced by clients. Overall, the Attitude Program drives economic, social and environmental excellence and has gained public recognition in 2006, with Accenture identified as one of the 25 Brazilian companies demonstrating excellence in corporate citizenship practices according to a major Brazilian business publication, Guia Exame da Boa Cidadania, a special edition of Exame magazine. | ||
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| + | Sustainable forestry in Japan | ||
| + | Established in 1961, WWF² is one of the largest non-governmental organizations in the world addressing nature conservation. High on the agenda of conservation is deforestation; Japan is the second-largest importer of wood in the world and it is suspected that 20 percent of the wood received may be illegally logged. Accenture in Japan is committing US$138,000 during the next financial year to WWF Japan to promote the sustainable use of renewable forest resources. Accenture hopes to stem the tide of destruction as well as raise awareness amongst the Japanese community to improve conservation efforts. As a result, Accenture is contributing to programs that encourage well-managed forestry. Working with WWF, the funding will contribute toward the Forest Stewardship Council initiative in Japan—a program that is developing a national standard and verification scheme to ensure that a "responsible purchase" approach is being adopted. This program is one of several Japanese initiatives undertaken since 2004 to help build a future in which people live in harmony with nature. | ||
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| + | Coastal clean-up in Manila Bay | ||
| + | In response to Earth Day and International Coastal Clean-Up Day in April and September 2006, respectively, volunteers from Accenture Philippines spent two half-days clearing debris from the local shores of Manila Bay. Nearly 275 enthusiastic employees removed hazardous and unsightly debris to help restore this popular coastal area to its former glory and help protect the ocean's ecosystem in the longer term. The initiative is part of the Accenture Caring for Tomorrow program run by Manila employees that focuses on projects affecting education, the environment and livelihoods. | ||
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| + | Caring for the environment in the United Kingdom | ||
| + | Launched in the United Kingdom in May 2006, cafés across the Accenture London offices are offering a range of products from Fairtrade—an independent consumer label that appears on products as a guarantee that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a better deal. Examples include the popular bottled water, One Water. One Water's profits are channeled into building "roundabout pumps" overseas that provide free, clean water. Other products include Fairtrade organic fruit juices, tea, cakes and organic sandwiches, plus a whole range of snack products. Feedback on the new range from Accenture people using the cafés has been very positive, and all products are showing buoyant sales. The United Kingdom will be sourcing new Fairtrade organic and ethically sourced products on an ongoing basis. Other "green" initiatives in the United Kingdom include: | ||
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| + | Furniture recycling: Registered charity and social enterprise Green-Works recycles Accenture's surplus standard office furniture items in the United Kingdom. Green-Works collects redundant office furniture for resale to charities, schools and other community-based organizations. The warehouses used to refurbish the furniture also train and employ disabled, disadvantaged and long-term unemployed people. All donated items that are not reused are broken down into component parts and recycled. | ||
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| + | Water processing: Environmentally conscious catering facilities across all the Accenture London offices are using the Vivreau water bottling machine to process purified mains-fed tap water to supply still or sparkling water into recycled glass bottles for reuse in all Accenture meetings and events. The scheme has eliminated the need to recycle 25,000 glass bottles and is expected to extend across all Accenture offices in the United Kingdom. | ||
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| + | (2) | ||
==Source== | ==Source== | ||
Revision as of 10:35, 9 July 2007
Contents |
Summary
What the Vendor says about itself
Consideration for the environment is an essential aspect of our business operations.
We believe that the health of our business is inextricably linked to the health of the environment in which we operate. As part of our core values and our Code of Business Ethics, we have a corporate social responsibility to understand and reduce our environmental impact.
Around the world, Accenture seeks to capture and share good practice between locations, and drive change through our role as a supplier and procurer of services and as an employer.
(1)
Environment: Activities
Pioneering ISO¹ 14001:2004 certification in Spain Madrid's main office is the first Accenture location to achieve the ISO 14001:2004 certification (see below for more details) across its consulting, solutions and outsourcing businesses. A multi-workforce team of five employees designed and developed an environmental management system—noted as highly innovative by the certification body's third-party auditor—that uses processes to drive more efficient energy consumption, recycling and reducing paper use, as well as separating and managing waste generated by the office. Established in 1996, ISO 14001 attainment is recognized worldwide as demonstrating a commitment to improving environmental performance—a matter of increasing concern for Accenture clients and employees. Accenture Madrid achieved the ISO 14001:2004 certification in May 2006, within just nine months of initiating the project. "ISO 14001" certification is based on continuous improvement," says Juan Ignacio de Arcos, senior executive. "During our quarterly Environment Committee meetings we review the metrics to meet annual objectives and assist other countries as ISO 14001certification is extended across more Accenture locations in Spain." Communication has been vital in inspiring Accenture employees to maintain certification standards and includes posters, training and a website for advice and feedback. In the last three years, Accenture in Spain has run several initiatives resulting in reducing its use of plastic bottles by 800,000, recycling 300 mobile phones annually and donating unused computers to local not-for-profit organizations.
Environmental standards success in Bangalore, India
The Facilities & Services team at the Accenture India Builder Corporation Knowledge Park facility in Bangalore is the second location to gain ISO 14001:2004 certification following the implementation of an environment management system. The certification recognizes the achievement of globally recognized standards to control and improve environmental performance, with the environmental management system framework establishing conservation programs for energy, water and paper as well as managing legal compliance, waste management and emergency preparedness and response. Potential energy savings in the region of 8 percent—US$133,300 per annum (INR 6,000,000)—can be achieved. Initiatives have brought in biodegradable materials, measures to control noise and safeguard air quality, as well as facilitating the donation of unwanted computer equipment to charities. This Accenture Bangalore facility was also awarded the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series 18001 certification for its health and safety systems, being the first location in Accenture's global network to receive these awards. "Achieving the combined certification is testament to the quality of our systems and processes," says Rekha Menon, Human Capital & Diversity lead for India. "We are committed to maintaining this high standard." Computer-based training helped develop employees' environmental awareness and internal communication campaigns continue to influence their attitudes.
Action with Attitude in Brazil Twelve months since the launch of Accenture Brazil's broad cultural change initiative known as the Attitude Program, the environmental aspects of the program have been so successful that now they are being implemented in project sites within clients' offices. In addition to trading recyclable waste collected in Accenture Brazil's offices for recycled materials—such as envelopes, notepads and pens—a 45 percent average reduction in paper usage has been achieved as a direct result of double-sided printing. What is more, Accenture's environmental policies and procedures are supporting social enterprise initiatives such as Accenture Curitiba, for example, where waste given to garbage collectors is sold to the recycling industry for a small profit, providing an additional income for local people, many of whom are homeless. Accenture executives are invited to undertake training programs that create awareness of the environmental challenges faced by clients. Overall, the Attitude Program drives economic, social and environmental excellence and has gained public recognition in 2006, with Accenture identified as one of the 25 Brazilian companies demonstrating excellence in corporate citizenship practices according to a major Brazilian business publication, Guia Exame da Boa Cidadania, a special edition of Exame magazine.
Sustainable forestry in Japan
Established in 1961, WWF² is one of the largest non-governmental organizations in the world addressing nature conservation. High on the agenda of conservation is deforestation; Japan is the second-largest importer of wood in the world and it is suspected that 20 percent of the wood received may be illegally logged. Accenture in Japan is committing US$138,000 during the next financial year to WWF Japan to promote the sustainable use of renewable forest resources. Accenture hopes to stem the tide of destruction as well as raise awareness amongst the Japanese community to improve conservation efforts. As a result, Accenture is contributing to programs that encourage well-managed forestry. Working with WWF, the funding will contribute toward the Forest Stewardship Council initiative in Japan—a program that is developing a national standard and verification scheme to ensure that a "responsible purchase" approach is being adopted. This program is one of several Japanese initiatives undertaken since 2004 to help build a future in which people live in harmony with nature.
Coastal clean-up in Manila Bay
In response to Earth Day and International Coastal Clean-Up Day in April and September 2006, respectively, volunteers from Accenture Philippines spent two half-days clearing debris from the local shores of Manila Bay. Nearly 275 enthusiastic employees removed hazardous and unsightly debris to help restore this popular coastal area to its former glory and help protect the ocean's ecosystem in the longer term. The initiative is part of the Accenture Caring for Tomorrow program run by Manila employees that focuses on projects affecting education, the environment and livelihoods.
Caring for the environment in the United Kingdom
Launched in the United Kingdom in May 2006, cafés across the Accenture London offices are offering a range of products from Fairtrade—an independent consumer label that appears on products as a guarantee that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a better deal. Examples include the popular bottled water, One Water. One Water's profits are channeled into building "roundabout pumps" overseas that provide free, clean water. Other products include Fairtrade organic fruit juices, tea, cakes and organic sandwiches, plus a whole range of snack products. Feedback on the new range from Accenture people using the cafés has been very positive, and all products are showing buoyant sales. The United Kingdom will be sourcing new Fairtrade organic and ethically sourced products on an ongoing basis. Other "green" initiatives in the United Kingdom include:
Furniture recycling: Registered charity and social enterprise Green-Works recycles Accenture's surplus standard office furniture items in the United Kingdom. Green-Works collects redundant office furniture for resale to charities, schools and other community-based organizations. The warehouses used to refurbish the furniture also train and employ disabled, disadvantaged and long-term unemployed people. All donated items that are not reused are broken down into component parts and recycled.
Water processing: Environmentally conscious catering facilities across all the Accenture London offices are using the Vivreau water bottling machine to process purified mains-fed tap water to supply still or sparkling water into recycled glass bottles for reuse in all Accenture meetings and events. The scheme has eliminated the need to recycle 25,000 glass bottles and is expected to extend across all Accenture offices in the United Kingdom.
(2)
