Progress and plans

Reporting and ratings

We use external recognition of our environmental management as a measure of our performance. As well as achieving accreditation for our UK and Australian operations under the environmental management standard ISO 14001, we again performed well in other key external benchmarks:

  • Pearson was for a fifth year ranked global media sector leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index.
  • Pearson was ranked Platinum, the highest possible rating in the Business on the Community Corporate Responsibility Index.
  • We continue to report on our progress to the UN as part of our commitment under the Global Compact.
  • Pearson has been included in FTSE4Good indices since their inception.

FTSE4Good indices

Commitments & targets

Our main environmental commitment was to become a climate neutral company in 2009 for existing operations. This means that we commit to reduce our Greenhouse Gas emissions by 100% each year for our existing operations excluding acquisitions made during the year. Where it is not possible to reduce our emissions by other means, we purchase carbon credits. We have now continued this commitment into 2012.

Pearson adopted a new baseline for data in 2007. Our environment archive provides historic data on our performance against targets.

Target 2011   Progress Plan 2012
Continue to extend our green team network. Ongoing Ongoing. Over 40 Green Teams are now in place in Pearson businesses around the world. Country carbon footprints extended to 20 countries for 2011. Continue to extend our green team network
Continue work on mapping complete carbon footprint for Pearson businesses in the UK and the US. Introduce online product carbon footprint tool Ongoing Ongoing. Penguin working with industry partners introduced an online product carbon footprint tool. Publish work to date on carbon footprint at Penguin
Maintain our position in the key indices of social responsibility. Achieved Achieved. Pearson retained its position as Global Leader for the Media Sector in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices and maintained inclusion in FTSE4Good indices. To reduce energy use on an absolute basis by 25% by the end of 2015 using 2010 as the new baseline
Our new target is to reduce energy use on an absolute basis by 25% by the end of 2015 using 2010 as the new baseline Achieved On track. Achieved a 7% reduction against a target of 25% To reduce energy use on an absolute basis by 25% by the end of 2015 using 2010 as the new baseline
Using 2010 as the base year, we aim to reduce our Greenhouse Gas emissions by 20% by the end of 2015 Ongoing On track. Our 2011 GHG reported emissions were 5% lower than in 2010 Using 2010 as the base year, we aim to reduce our Greenhouse Gas emissions by 20% by the end of 2015.
Using 2007 as the base year, we aim to reduce per employee reduction in air travel by the end of 2012. Achieved Achieved. Air travel per employee decreased by 38%. Continue to reduce per employee air travel in 2012.
Complete investment programme in video-conferencing technology by 2012 Ongoing Ongoing. Investments in Latin America and the United States underway. Complete investment programme in video-conferencing technology review for 2012
Using 2010 as the base year, our target is to reduce like-for-like water use across the company by 10% per square metre of occupied space by the end of 2015 Achieved Achieved. Water use reported reduction of over 30% per square metre. Target to be reviewed in 2012. Using 2010 as the base year, our target is to reduce like-for-like water use across the company by 10% per square metre of occupied space by the end of 2015.
Maintain our reuse/recycle rate for all unsold books and newsprint in excess of 95%. Achieved Achieved 98.6%. Maintain our reuse/recycle rate for all unsold books and newsprint in excess of 95%.
Complete solar installation at our Cranbury Distribution Centre in New Jersey and a wind turbine in Owatonna, Minnesota. Identify renewable energy projects for 2012. Achieved Achieved. For 2012, we are looking at a new solar project at our Old Tappan offices in New Jersey and a wind turbine project in Iowa City Complete solar installation at Old Tappan and the wind turbine in Iowa City by the end of 2013.
Maintain our commitment to purchase green electricity into 2011 Achieved Exceeded. Supply of green electricity includes the US, the UK, Canada and Mexico. Extended to cover Latin America and India Extend our commitment to purchase green electricity to cover all our global operations.
Launch Planet Pearson globally. Introduce Planet Pearson Environmental Awards to recognise Pearson employees around the world leading the way in reducing our environmental impact Achieved Achieved. Planet Pearson is available globally and the Planet Pearson Environmental Awards are in place. Review the awards and
Target 250 hybrid vehicles in the Pearson fleet in 2011 Achieved Achieved 249 in 2011. Target 275 hybrid vehicles in the Pearson fleet in 2012
Continue our drive for independently verified certification to ensure the suitability of paper we purchase for our books, newspapers and magazines. Achieved Achieved. See our separate report on paper purchasing Continue our drive for independently verified certification to ensure the suitability of paper we purchase for our books, newspapers and magazines.
Continue programme of certification against Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)- the US Green Buildings Council Achieved Achieved for two additional US buildings at Centennial, Colorado and the Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Continue programme of certification against Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)- the US Green Buildings Council