• Definition
• Our approach to CR
• Key impact areas
  - The environment
  - Investing in the community
  - Life at work
  - Our external stakeholders
  - Being a responsible investor
  
• CR report
• CR Committee
• Contacts
  
  

Climate Change Statement

Our position on climate change is central to our environment policy.  Our main objective in this area is to: “consume less, recycle more, and dispose of sensitively.” 

There is clear scientific consensus that greenhouse gas emissions arising from human activity, and in particular carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, are causing climate change and this represents a significant threat to our environment.

At Standard Life, we recognise our responsibility to reduce the CO2 emissions associated with running our company.

In addition, we are committed to communicating in a way which is straightforward and transparent and we aim to report on all our impacts, actions, and results as comprehensively as practicable.

Our three most significant areas of direct impact are CO2 emissions arising from:  

• the energy we use in operating our buildings
  
  
• the production of the paper we consume
  
  
• travel (including business travel and travel to work)

We will focus on the following areas to address climate change and CO2 emissions:  

• Aim to reduce our impacts, both direct and indirect, from energy consumption through efficient building design and ongoing energy management of our operational properties and the way we procure electricity (e.g. low carbon power generation)

• Aim to reduce the amount of paper we consume, increase the percentage of recycled paper we use and recycle more of the paper we dispose of

• Engage our people in environmental issues and climate change by providing information and encouragement to reduce impacts both at work and at home

• Take advantage of our city centre locations and promote the use of public transport, cycling and walking to work. In addition, we will continue to encourage our people to use telephone and video conference facilities where possible, in preference to travel

• Encourage and assist our suppliers in reducing the impacts they have on the environment 

In addition, our investment business, Standard Life Investments, will continue to:

• Apply its Socially Responsible Investment Policy and take company policies and practices on environmental matters into consideration in the investment process

• Improve the information available in its Property Investment Portfolio to allow benchmarking in relation to energy, water and waste from managed sites

As stated, our primary aim is to consume less and recycle more to decrease our emissions, rather than use off-setting schemes.  This will ensure that our business is sustainable in a future low carbon economy.