Corporate responsibility

Environment

2008 Objectives

• Reduction in travel emissions over 2006/2007 levels
• Pursuit of environmental targets

2008 Total Environmental Impact*

*Initial results, ’000s

We saw a 16% decrease in travel, resulting from our focus on travel alternatives including video conferencing and webinars, and the introduction of a global travel portal.

Initial results for 2008 indicate that our energy usage stayed reasonably constant, with a reduction in water and paper consumption and carbon emissions. But it will be a challenge to meet absolute targets. Increased data searches and hosting for our clients, for example, have contributed to energy increases in the five years to 2008, which we are addressing through our data centre working group focused on optimisation/rationalisation.

The importance of CO₂ reduction was the theme of our annual World Environment Day campaign, launched with a message from the CEO. In 2009, we are introducing an environmental standards programme to help offices achieve best practice and go green.

We provide ongoing training to Reed Elsevier Environmental Champions and support to employee Green Teams. We encourage environmental volunteering, running programmes with Earthwatch in the US and Europe in 2008; we promoted good environmental performance through our leading edge environmental science products and shows, like Renewable Energy Focus and the Journal of Cleaner Production.

2009 Objectives

• Launch new environmental targets

• Introduce environmental standards programme across the group