› Implementation
We manage environmental and societal issues interdependently.
This provides a coherent, coordinated and convenient matrix for
appraising our values, policies, strategies and practices. It helps
us assess how we are performing. It highlights where we need to
align our approach. It shows us where we need to give extra
support. In time, it will deliver our commitment through measurable
improvements. And it will progressively allow our achievements to
be benchmarked against other industries and other companies in the
power sector. It will also enable us to report accurately and
openly to all audiences. Such increased transparency will, in turn,
increase stakeholder confidence in everything that we do.
› Targets
International Power plc has established a systematic dual
process for setting environmental and health & safety targets.
Targets are set at an asset level (bottom-up) via local business
plans and management systems, whilst other more generic targets are
set at a corporate level (top-down). This dual approach encourages
consistency throughout the Company from a corporate level whilst
allowing specific local targets to be set which may not be
applicable to other sites or regions. This cohesive method allows
us to maintain a range of targets aimed at optimal performance.
Some targets will continue and will be expanded year-on-year as
part of a dynamic improvement programme. New performance targets
are also added each year, as it becomes possible to exceed earlier
achievements.
› Benchmarking and awards
The annual Business in the Community Corporate Responsibility
Index results were published in the Financial Times on 10
June 2009. The index is major benchmark for corporate
responsibility in the UK and International Power were pleased to
receive a silver ranking (2007: silver). This represents
substantive recognition of our corporate commitment to managing
environmental and societal
issues. For more information, please see the BITC
website.
In addition to our BITC ratings, we achieved entry into the
FTSE4GOOD index in 2004. The selection criteria for this
prestigious index include environmental sustainability, stakeholder
relationships and upholding and supporting universal human rights.
We continue to be included within the FTSE4GOOD index, which
identifies companies that meet globally recognised corporate
responsibility standards.
› Verification
For several years our management of health, safety, environment,
community and employee issues have been included in our internal
audit programmes, where all findings are assessed carefully and
acted upon.
› Governance
Our Health, Safety and Environment Committee (HSE) acts as the
global forum in which we can discuss and coordinate governance
issues. The Committee meets every quarter and is attended by all
our assets and corporate departments representing environment,
health, safety and community. It is chaired by our Director of
Operations & Engineering.
These meetings are regularly attended by board members and
relevant issues are reported, via a quarterly briefing through our
CEO, at board meetings.
In addition to monitoring performance, the HSE Committee
identifies and shares best practice, and encourages employees to
learn from the experience of their colleagues around the world.
All of our power stations, wherever they are in the world, have
formal HSE management systems, operating to internationally
recognised standards. These systems ensure that we not only operate
in line with official regulations and International Power plc
policies, but that we improve our performance continuously.
In order that our performance is developed and maintained to the
highest levels we encourage our power stations to implement
management systems which are certified to rigorous, internationally
recognised standards.