Cogeco 2010 Annual Report Download - page 23

22 COGECO CABLE INC. 2010 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A)
Environmental policy
Overview
Cogeco Cable’s environmental policy provides that respect for the environment is one of the fundamental principles set out in the COGECO
group Corporate Code of Ethics. Cogeco Cable makes a point of adhering to this key principle in all its activities, business relationships and
dealings with other stakeholders. It contributes to the broader application of this principle primarily through the delivery of efficient electronic
communication.
The policy has four main objectives: to ensure a more efficient and responsible use of resources, including energy, water and materials; to
eliminate, reduce and control pollution and waste as much as possible; to make continual improvements by remaining abreast of best practices
applied through benchmarking; and to be an agent of change by collaborating with other stakeholders (partners, suppliers, clients, employees)
in a coordinated implementation of environmentally responsible practices.
The responsibility of Cogeco Cable’s environmental footprint is assigned to an officer of the Corporation and is supported by leaders throughout
the organization. A committee-based approach is in place for corporate as well as for regionally-oriented initiatives in furtherance of the policy.
Fiscal 2010 activities and achievements
Cogeco Cable’s 2010 environmental program focused on internal initiatives in order to reduce its carbon footprint such as awareness and
communications campaigns, campaigns promoting the reduction of consumables such as bottled water, bags, and styrofoam in storefront
locations, and participation in several regional community activities to reduce the Corporation’s carbon footprint as well as Earth Week and
Earth Hour activities.
In addition to the implementation of awareness initiatives, in 2010, Cogeco Cable identified and developed the tools necessary to determine its
current carbon footprint, as well as the key performance indicators required for sound environmental metrics reporting. The Corporation also
implemented an e-billing platform to reduce paper consumption, fuel efficient fleet procurement practices, an auxiliary battery program to
reduce service vehicle idle time and geomatic vehicle systems in its fleet to help reduce fuel consumption, improve maintenance tracking and
decrease idling time. Other achievements include the reduction of office energy consumption through the implementation of policy-based rules
for the corporate personal computing environment, the assessment of environmental risks and site remediation activities for Cogeco Cable’s
facilities as well as the completion of a renovation retrofit using green products and programs, which will be used for future renovations.
Fiscal 2011 environmental focus
In 2011, Cogeco Cable will focus on several environmental initiatives, such as calculating Cogeco Cable’s current carbon footprint, determining
greenhouse gas reduction objectives, implementing changes to ensure green energy procurement where necessary and integrating an
environmentally sensitive attitude in Cogeco Cable’s operations, relating notably to travel and consumables. The Corporation also intends to
conduct risk assessments for its fuel holding tanks and other environmental risks, identify remedial activities, where applicable, as well as
implement several procurement initiatives for consumables such as green paper and printing.
Measurement
To achieve its environmental goal of continually reducing energy consumption and improving energy efficiency, Cogeco Cable has developed
key performance indicators, which are classified in five categories: save energy and carbon, reduce materials use, reduce waste, engage
employees, and enhance customer satisfaction.
The Corporation continues to believe that cable telecommunications has a smaller environmental impact as compared to many other industries.
However, Cogeco Cable is committed to progressively reducing its environmental footprint in respect of the communities in which it operates
and achieving an improved balance between its environmental and economic objectives.
Further, the Corporation anticipates that, once the key performance indicators have been implemented for its cable operations in Canada,
similar indicators will be implemented in Cogeco Data Services and Cabovisão in Portugal.
Performance highlights
Financial results and cash flows
For the 2010 fiscal year, Cogeco Cable achieved consolidated revenue growth of $63.5 million, or 5.2%, to reach $1,281.4 million, primarily due
to RGU growth, the introduction of HSI usage billing, rate increases implemented at the end of fiscal 2009 and during fiscal 2010 and the
revenue related to the new levy amounting to 1.5% of gross Cable Television service revenue imposed by the CRTC in order to finance the
new Local Programming Improvement Fund (“LPIF”) in the Canadian operations, partly offset by the impact of retention and customer
acquisition strategies launched in the second half of fiscal 2009, a lower average number of Basic Cable service customers in fiscal 2010 in the
European operations and the depreciation of the Euro relative to the Canadian dollar. For further details on the Corporation’s operating results,
please refer to the “Canadian operations” and “European operations” sections. As the fiscal 2010 consolidated results are within 1% of the