Highlights and approach
Environmental management
- 96% of UK operations have ISO 14001 certified management systems
- 52% European operations and 93% Hong Kong operations have ISO 14001
- US operating companies develop formal environmental management systems
- Fifth set of annual environmental performance data recorded in UK operating companies, externally verified by Sd3
- Sixth year of participation in the Business in the Environment Index, score 80% placing us in the silver band
- Non-UK operations continue to improve measurement of environmental footprint
UK Environmental Performance 2006
Incidents
- No serious environmental incidents classified as irreversible
- Number of UK environmental incidents similar to 2005, a 17% improvement on 2002
- Zero UK prosecutions or convictions
Energy
- Relative UK contribution to global warming is down 27% over four years, to 41 tonnes CO2 equivalent per £m NSV
- Improvements in energy efficiency in our UK vehicle fleet continues
- Zero purchases of CFCs. Down 100% since 2002
- SF6 purchased for clients has more than doubled since 2002
Waste and Recycling
- Total UK waste generated per £m NSV similar to 2005
- 76% less hazardous waste compared to 2005
- More than doubled the amount of inert materials sent directly to recycling stations compared to 2005
- 58% more metals recycled compared to 2005
- 13% more packaging and 10% more plastics recycled compared to 2005
Resources
- 78% of timber spend from certified sources; 66% was purchased from an FSC certified source
- 11% less water consumed during 2006 compared to 2005
Our Policy
Our environmental policy has three main goals:
- To work with customers to achieve more sustainable design solutions
- To be a leader in environmental practices on all our operational sites / projects for customers
- To progressively improve the environmental performance of our own offices, depots, manufacturing facilities and vehicle fleet, for example the energy efficiency of our vehicle fleets and foundries.
We aim to prevent environmental harm in all our activities, and are committed to operating in an environmentally responsible manner. We strive continuously to improve our environmental performance.
Environment - Our Approach
Our approach to managing our environmental responsibilities is structured and risk based. Each operating company has established environmental management systems that address the specific environmental issues relevant to that business.
We share good practice across operating companies, and involve workers to encourage environmental awareness and a positive approach to environmental issues.
While the range and nature of environmental risks varies widely in each operating company, we review our overall progress by monitoring:
- The robustness of environmental management systems
- Environmental incidents and prosecutions
- Trends in specific environmental indicators, such as energy and global warming contribution, waste and recycling, resource usage, biodiversity, water consumption.
Our UK operations were first to adopt formal environmental management systems and develop performance measurement, but we are making good progress in extending our approach to our overseas operations.
27% reduction in our relative UK contribution to global warming over the last four years
76% less hazardous waste generated than in 2005
Sharing environmental goals at Terminal 5
The Balfour Beatty Rail Projects and Balfour Kilpatrick joint venture team shared common environmental goals with all suppliers on the Terminal 5 project at Heathrow, leading to the development of an elite team of seven site environment representatives.
Energy awareness
Balfour Kilpatrick has conducted an energy awareness campaign to raise the profile of global warming and the impacts of its activities on climate change.