Peachtree 2013 Annual Report Download - page 57

Scope of reported emissions
Emissions data has been reported for our operations
in Australia, Austria, Brazil, France, Germany, Ireland,
Malaysia, Morocco, North America, Poland, Portugal,
Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland and the UK.
Given the short time between the passing of the
Regulations and the preparation of this report it has
not been possible to report on all emissions. We are,
however, putting procedures in place to enable us
to report on a wider range of emissions in the next
reporting year. The emissions that have not been
included in this year’s report relate to building usage
and business travel in our operations in Belgium, where
energy usage is not itemised on invoices. We have also
not included emissions relating to refrigerant gas usage
for our operations in Austria, Australia, XRT Brazil,
Morocco, Poland and Singapore, as this data has not
been gathered during the reporting year. However, we
are in the process of training relevant staff to capture
such data for future reporting.
In respect of those countries where we have very
limited operations, being India (where we have fewer
than 10 employees) and the United Arab Emirates
(where we have fewer than 20 employees), we have
undertaken a materiality assessment and consider that
the related emissions are not material. Emissions from
these operations are, therefore, excluded from our
reported emissions.
Intensity ratio
In order to express our annual emissions in relation
to a quantifiable factor associated with our activities,
we have used revenue as our intensity ratio as this is
the most relevant indication of our growth and provides
for the best comparative measure over time.
Baseline for 2013 targets
The current year data forms the baseline data
for subsequent periods. Although the Group
has previously reported on emissions, it is not
appropriate to use these reports as baseline years
due to differing methodologies applied.
Carbon Disclosure Project
We once again took part in this project during the
year under review by reporting on our gas (Scope 1)
and electricity (Scope 2) emissions for the financial year
ended 30 September 2012. However, our emissions
reporting for the purposes of this Annual Report
& Accounts provides broader emissions information
and is based on a different methodology. Therefore,
no comparatives to prior year for gas and electricity
emissions for the year under review are included here.
Reducing carbon and waste
We have made a concerted effort to reduce our carbon
footprint. For example, across our business we have
fitted telepresence communication units as part of a
project to reduce travel. The promotion of recycling bins
continues, along with the installation of LED lights in many
of our offices as they use around 75% less energy. Some
offices have implemented new printing systems, enabling
us to monitor and reduce the use of paper and inks.
We now provide many of our software and services
via the web rather than CDs or printed guides.
For example, our online Auto Update Service deals
with approximately one million update checks per
business day. Our internal systems and communications
are increasingly paperless, whether it is through
electronic payslips or online document sharing and
employee social networking via our global internal
collaboration platform.
55The Sage Group plc | Annual Report & Accounts 2013
Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic report