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Performance and measurement
The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has pioneered the development of the world’s most widely used sustainability reporting framework, from its conception in 1997. This framework sets out the principles and indicators that organisations can use to measure and report their economic, environmental and social performance. There are three levels of reporting within the GRI sustainability reporting framework; they are titled C, B, and A (A being the highest). The reporting criteria found in each level reflects an increasing application or coverage of the GRI reporting framework.
Kingspan has for several years promoted and sponsored CSR reporting across the divisions, but has only recently brought these individual reports into a single Group document. Kingspan Insulated Panels division has, since 2006, prepared a Sustainability Report using the guidelines as recommended by the GRI. Kingspan Insulation Boards division prepared its first GRI Sustainability Report in 2007. It is intended to use the GRI guidelines in other divisions over the coming years.
Kingspan Insulated Panels has achieved a level “C” standard for its Report for the years 2006 and 2007, covering the manufacturing plants in Kingscourt in Ireland and Holywell and Sherburn in the UK. These reports have been checked by GRI to ensure they meet the GRI reporting framework and standards. The 2008 report is currently under review by the GRI and we are aiming to achieve a “B” level standard. The businesses covered by this report accounted for approximately 25% of the Group turnover in 2008. Kingspan Insulation Boards achieved a level “B” report for 2007, and their 2008 report is in progress, and has also been prepared to GRI level “B” standard. The Insulation Boards businesses covered by the 2008 report represent in excess of 10% of Group turnover.
These are the first reports in an annual sustainability reporting cycle which we hope will demonstrate performance improvements. The scope of these reports will be expanded progressively throughout the Group and in 2009, will include Insulated Panel manufacturing plants in Belgium and Australia.
In 2004, Kingspan Insulation Boards was the first insulation/building materials manufacturer to complete an independent appraisal of the holistic sustainability of its manufacturing processes and to make these results publicly available. Each year since then, the division continues to work with Arup using the SPeAR methodology. The Sustainable Project Appraisal Routine (SPeAR) is based on a four-quadrant model that structures the issues of sustainability into a robust framework, from which an appraisal of performance can be undertaken. SPeAR brings sustainability into the decision-making process with its focus on the key elements of environmental protection, social equity, economic viability and efficient use of natural resources. As such the information generated by the appraisal prompts innovative thinking and informs decision-making at all stages of design and development. This allows continual improvement in sustainability performance and assists in delivering sustainable objectives. The businesses covered by the 2007 SPeAR report accounted for approximately 10% of Group turnover in that year.
www.insulation.kingspan.com/uk/pdf/sustainability_review.pdf
Arup SpeAR Appraisals for the Pembridge Insulation Manufacturing Site showing steady improvement across the four quadrants from 2005 through to 2007
Kingspan has been examining ways of reducing its own carbon impact for several years, and has identified a number of reporting tools to identify the areas where facilities have the greatest environmental impact, and the projects where impact reduction can be maximized. Both measurement methodologies and project technologies are rolled out on a pilot basis before deployment in other sites or divisions where there will be a significant impact reduction. The following is a summary of some of the initiatives taken.
In terms of striving for ongoing environmental improvement, 22% of the Group’s manufacturing plants have now achieved the IS0 14001 environmental standard. A further 32% of the Group’s sites are currently working towards achieving ISO 14001.
