Annual Report & Accounts 2009

Performance against environmental targets

Performance against 2008 environmental targets and actions planned in 2009

Target 2008	Progress	Target 2009
Achieve “green facility” status at all remaining large facilities. Achieve ISO 14001 accreditation at Farnell France facility.	The “green facility” status has been achieved at all the remaining large facilities in the Group this year. ISO 14001 accreditation was achieved at the Farnell France facility in September 2008.	Expand the “green facility” programme: – Develop a higher tier of achievement for high-performing green facilities. – Institute a reassessment programme for facilities that were awarded the status two or more years ago. – Expand the programme to include at three mid-sized facilities to achieve standard green facility status.
Implement carbon reduction plans in each of the larger facilities to achieve a 10% reduction in the carbon emissions typically created by the heating and light of those facilities by 2009 against the baseline of 2006 carbon emissions.	In 2008 the Group achieved a reduction in CO2 emissions of 171 tonnes. The Group has, so far, achieved a reduction of 21% of CO2 emissions of the baseline year of 2006.	Implement additional carbon reduction projects at large facilities to ensure we achieve our goal of a CO2 emission reduction equal to 10% of the emissions from these facilities in 2006 by the end of 2009.
Achieve EEAS accreditation at the European Distribution Centre (Liège).	During the year, the EEAS accreditation scheme became wholly sponsored by the Carbon Trust and was renamed the Carbon Trust Standard. The Carbon Trust restricted the scheme to the UK. Therefore, the Liège facility was not able to apply for the accreditation.
Evaluate US accreditation schemes for external validation of the US businesses’ environmental programmes and, if appropriate, target accreditation of at least one business.	The US Environmental Protection Agency National Performance Track programme has been evaluated and deemed suitable for the external validation of the US businesses’ environmental programmes.	Extend the evaluation to include the eStewards recycling programme and assess this accreditation’s suitability during FY10.
Carry out an audit of printing and copying equipment to maximise the use of energy and paper efficient equipment and achieve a 5% reduction in paper consumption at two of the Company’s major US facilities.	The rationalisation project has been completed in Leeds and the experience has been shared with the US facilities, where the programme has not yet been rolled-out.	Progress the rationalisation of office equipment in the major US facilities.
Work with printers and paper manufacturers to quantify the carbon emissions created by the production of the catalogues and direct mail pieces and determine for what percentage of the Group’s carbon footprint this activity accounts.	Premier Farnell has influenced printers and paper manufacturers to engage in routine collection and reporting of carbon emissions data. All of the main suppliers now provide this data and are working on processes to enable consistent reporting on an ongoing basis.	Continue to reduce the total tonnage of paper used by the Group to produce catalogues by 10%. Continue to use our influence as a company to drive our suppliers to develop papers with a higher recycled material content and processes with lower associated carbon emissions.
Specify recycled paper and/or FSC certified paper for catalogues and/or direct mail where available and competitively priced.	Both the Farnell and CPC 2008 catalogues were printed on the lightest grade FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) certified paper that is feasible for the print process. Newark 2008 catalogues were printed on recycled content and/or FSC or Sustainable Forestry Initiative certified paper. As of April 2008, all of MCM’s direct mail flyers and catalogues were printed on recycled content and/or FSC certified paper.	Continue to specify recycled and/or sustainability-certified paper e.g. FSC certified, where available and competitively priced.
Achieve a further increase in recycling globally.	All of the large facilities in the Group have recycling programmes and initiatives in place to facilitate the recycling of the maximum possible volumes and types of waste. The CPC facility in Preston has again achieved the highest proportion of waste recycled at 90%. Overall, the Group recycled over 71% of its waste in 2008, compared with 63% in 2007.	Maintain the high levels of recycling that have been achieved.