CDP and IBM Research Project Unveils Best Practice Guide to Carbon Management

Date Announced: 15 Jul 2008

IBM and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), a collaboration of 385 institutional investors with a combined asset base of $57 trillion, have undertaken an extensive joint research project into carbon management practices and compiled a Best Practice Guide.

The CDP and IBM says the joint project is one of the most detailed research projects into corporate carbon management practice ever undertaken in the UK. Findings have been collated from in-depth interviews with representatives from Aviva, Centrica, HBOS, IBM, Lloyds TSB, Scottish and Southern Energy, Tesco, Thomson Reuters, TNT, Unilever and United Utilities. Questions were focused on their current carbon management schemes and future plans.

Paul Dickinson, Chief Executive of the Carbon Disclosure Project, said: “Many companies face challenges in collecting data and in developing a carbon strategy. The guidelines, developed from our joint research project with IBM, are designed to support corporate executives in the implementation of climate change strategies and ensure that best practice data is readily available to carbon managers, experts and novices alike.”

Gill Hall, Head of Carbon Management at IBM commented: “The findings from the research are fascinating and highlight the complexities of managing carbon data. It is clear that carbon management is becoming more and more important to businesses and we hope that the guide will help continue the education of companies towards best practice for corporate carbon management.”

The research highlights that companies introduce carbon data management systems for reasons such as cost reduction, risk mitigation, competition, reputation enhancement and end-user pressure. The Best Practice Guide has been developed to address the issues raised by the research and to provide advice on how to successfully devise a corporate climate management response.

Areas covered by the report include:

• A properly formulated carbon strategy is essential, providing structured targets
  and goals. Target setting inevitably varies according to industry sectors making it
  difficult to make direct comparisons between businesses. However, the
  introduction of standardised methods and processes would facilitate the
  comparison of underlying emissions data between organisations.
  
• Monitoring and measuring carbon emissions is important before reduction
  commitments are made; highlighting areas for improvement and allowing
  accurate target setting.
  
• Carbon strategies need to be developed in line with growth prospects. Targets
  that relate to increases in output and scale of operations allow a company to grow
  and cut emissions simultaneously.
  
• Engagement of employees and the support of senior executives can improve the
  data gathering process and contribute creative ideas to reduce office emissions.
  

Contact
Marieke Beckmann
Carbon Disclosure Project
+44 207 415 7199 / 07919 074 926

E-mail: marieke.beckmann@cdproject.net

Web Site: www.cdproject.net