Our Carbon Policy
Climate change is increasingly recognised as the most serious long-term threat to human prosperity and way of life. There is a growing body of evidence that demonstrates the importance of taking action to reduce emissions.
At Penneys we recognise this, and the need for effective management and reduction of our carbon emissions.
And it is for this reason we have worked with the Carbon Trust to put in place a long-term carbon strategy for our business; our initial aim is to reduce our direct UK CO2 emissions by 10% (relative to sales) by 2013. Click here to read the Carbon Trust's case study on Penneys.
We have also calculated our Carbon Footprint and are committed to measuring this annually, which takes account of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol carbon accounting standard. Our footprint measurement covers our direct Scope 1 and 2 emissions. However, we understand that our footprint extends beyond those direct emissions and are committed to identifying and managing our indirect Scope 3 impacts.
It is Penneys’ Carbon Policy to reduce the direct impact of our operations on climate change by taking action in areas where we are able to have the greatest impact.
Our carbon management strategy and action plans provide the framework for achieving our carbon goals and targets.
We are committed to meeting the following targets:
- Reduce our direct UK CO2 emission by 10% by 2013, relative to sales. We intend to achieve this target by taking action to avoid or reduce emissions wherever possible. This includes the following:
- We are undertaking detailed carbon performance assessments across our stores to identify areas for improvement
- We are ensuring that carbon efficiency lies at the heart of our store refurbishment process and associated specification criteria
- We are carrying out a project to develop a model ‘Green Store’, which will provide an opportunity to ‘road-test’ emerging low-carbon technologies
- We will put in place a carbon measurement and reporting system in order to manage our emissions more effectively and track progress towards our targets
- We will set up a Carbon Action Group to drive the implementation of our strategy and action plans and share best practice across our stores
- We will ensure training needs are met so that our people can pursue our carbon goals with confidence
- We will roll out a behavioural awareness programme across our company and encourage continuous input from our staff
- We will identify means of communicating positive and responsible messages regarding climate change to our customers and other stakeholders
We will review our policy and targets annually to ensure they remain relevant, challenging and consistent with our overall business strategy.
Responsibility for the achievement of our carbon reduction targets lies with all our people and we will ensure that sufficient support and encouragement is provided to our staff.