Cogeco 2011 Annual Report Download - page 28

Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) COGECO CABLE INC. 2011 27
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 2011 activities and achievements
Cogeco Cable’s 2011 program focused on initiatives in several key areas including carbon calculation and reduction, waste management and
recycling, awareness and communications campaigns, as well as Earth Week and Earth Hour activities. In 2010, the Corporation laid the
ground work that enabled it to measure our progress against subsequent years. Some examples of Cogeco Cable’s programs and initiatives
include:
• A waste management process in the Corporation’s facilities that diverted one-third of its waste from landfills;
• A decrease of the Corporation’s fleet fuel consumption by over 411,000 litres through three mechanisms, which will also decrease
green house gas emissions;
• The Corporation has calculated its Green House Gas emissions and identified targets for emission reduction;
• The new facility in Trois-Rivières (Québec), scheduled to open in November 2011, has many energy and water saving technologies
such as thermal energy heating and cooling, low flush toilets, eco-friendly lighting. The Corporation’s retrofit of its Burlington
(Ontario) facility includes many environmentally friendly products such as carpets and paints;
• Refreshed a portion of the fleet with more fuel efficient vehicles;
• 20% of Cogeco Cable’s facilities underwent environmental assessments provided by a third party.
Many other activities were undertaken by the Corporation’s regional green committees, focused on internal initiatives in order to reduce
Cogeco Cable’s carbon footprint, such as awareness and communications campaigns, campaigns promoting the reduction of consumables
and opting for environmentally sensitive options where possible.
Fiscal 2012 Corporate Social Responsibility focus
In fiscal 2012, the Corporation will continue to monitor its environmental performance and decrease its carbon footprint. In addition, the
environmental program will evolve to take on a more inclusive approach. Cogeco Cable will expand its responsibility towards the societies in
which it operates by strengthening the Corporate Social Responsibility program. The program is based on the three pillars: Environment
responsibility, Social responsibility and Economic responsibility. Cogeco Cable’s 2012 program will include initiatives and performance
indicators for each of the three categories.
In fiscal 2012, Cogeco Cable will make public its greenhouse gas emissions and values and file a Carbon Disclosure Project report. The
Corporation will also produce its first Corporate Social Responsibility report which will adhere to the Global Reporting Initiative framework.
Measurement
To achieve its environmental goal of continually reducing energy consumption and improving energy efficiency, Cogeco Cable has developed
key performance indicators, which are tracked and reported on monthly or quarterly, as appropriate.
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 at CDS in Canada and Cabovisão in Portugal.