May 31, 2006—The Business in the Community’s (BITC) Environment Index 2005 shows British companies improving their environmental practices across the board, with climate change and water consumption high on the business agenda. BITC says the Index is widely recognized as the leading benchmark of corporate environmental engagement.
Since the Index was launched in 1996, business has demonstrated continual improvement in environmental practice. Average overall scores have increased by 23% over the past decade, to the current 83%. Particular improvement was witnessed in the environmental impacts of companies this year. Closing the gap with management scores, performance scores increased by 7% in 2005, now only 5% behind.
Results also showed that the top priority for companies in 2005 was the impact of dwindling water supplies on their business. Over a third of companies chose to be measured on the impact area–over twice as many as the next most popular choice.
Climate change also proved to be a key driver for business action, with over 70% of companies setting targets to reduce their carbon impacts. But only half of the participating companies have released details of their progress against their climate change targets to the public, suggesting companies still have more to do on broadening their disclosure, says BITC.
According to the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM), Carillion was the highest-ranked FM company in the Index, registering an “outstanding” performance in the environmental, marketplace, and workplace management areas.
For full rankings, top line results and this year’s key environmental trends, visit BITC.
