The Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment, chaired by Derek Wanless of NatWest Group, issued its fifth progress report at the start of August. From a diverse set of topics considered since its last report in October 1994, the 25 member Committee has identified the internalisation of environmental costs, the benefits of environmental reporting and transport as critical common themes. These will form the basis for its continuing work programme. Contact Gavin Costigan, DTI, on 0171 215 2579 or Gabrielle Edwards, DOE, on 0171 276 3732
TAKING THE SHINE OFF GREEN GLOSSIES
One third of companies now disclose green issues in their published annual accounts, up from only a quarter last year, and the extent of disclosure is improving. These findings come from a special survey conducted for the Financial Times on September 14 by Edinburgh-based, Company Reporting, covering 540 companies. However only 12% report achievements in monetary terms and just 4%, including GrandMet, ICI, Scottish Power, T& and Tesco, report quantifiable targets. Contact Iain Martin, Company Reporting, on 0131 558 1400
GREEN REPORTING BENCHMARKS
IBM UK has issued a report on its environmental impact which it hopes will become the future benchmark for other companies in the industry. Published on September 27, it was prepared by the independent consultancy, ECOTECH, and is based around 11 key issues such as energy, suppliers, transport and global environmental responsibilities, which were identified by 75 stakeholders interviewed expressly for the exercise. IBM scored over 70% of current best practice on three indicators but only 34% on transport. Contact Brian Whitaker, IBM UK, on 0171 202 5833
THORN EMI REPORTS
Last year’s winner of the Best Environmental Report, THORN EMI, issued its latest account of action to minimise impact. Among significant achievements during 1994/95, its rental operation, THORN, reduced energy consumption by 4.2% while increasing turnover by 7%. Contact Amanda Adey, THORN EMI, on 0181 606 2500
REDESIGNING GAS EFFICIENCY
The national energy action charity, NEA, received sponsorship from British Gas to redesign its corporate identity and logo, which was unveiled on September 13. The aim is to achieve a higher profile for its work bringing improved energy efficiency to low-income households. Contact Fiona Thomson, NEA, on 0171 352 6452
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