Carbon reduction pledge from DMGT

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Friday 12 June 2009

The means by which the Group measures and reports its UK consumption of climate harmful emissions will be regulated by an innovative government-backed energy saving scheme.

Beginning in April next year, the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC), a mandatory nationwide initiative, will promote energy efficiency and help reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions among large business and public sector organisations, including DMGT.

Legally committed to reducing CO2 emissions – by 33% by 2020 and 80% by 2050 – the government is offering non-intensive energy consumers incentives to encourage greater participation. Cash rewards for good performance and penalties for non-compliance will also be published in an annual Carbon output league table, furthering corporate transparency.

Embracing the CRC initiative underlines the Group’s overall commitment to corporate social responsibility and environmental preservation, says DMGT board member David Dutton.

“While compliance and a positive performance will reward the Group financially, our aim is to drive down our carbon footprint and become one of the UK’s top performing media organisations,” explained David.

Split into two phases – from April 2010 to March 2013, during which allowances will be fixed at £12 per one tonne of CO2, and from 2013 to 2020 where allowance will be auctioned by the government at a range of prices – preparation guidelines will be made available for the Group’s UK operations soon.

To guarantee compliance, DMGT must provide accurate historical energy consumption data (converted into tonnes of CO2 emitted), forecast its future energy use and make commercial decisions on the price to bid for carbon allowances when phase two of the CRC begins in 2013.

More information about the CRC is available on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) website.