ScottishPower has achieved platinum status in Business in the Community’s Corporate Responsibility Index 2007 – the second year in a row it has been awarded the highest accolade and the first year since its successful integration with Iberdrola. The index is widely regarded as the UK’s leading benchmark of responsible business and assesses the extent to which corporate strategy is integrated into business practice throughout an organisation.
One of the areas where the company was rated highly was for its commitment to renewable energy. During 2007, ScottishPower announced significant investments in sustainable generation projects and environmental technologies; increased its 2010 target for delivery of wind energy projects in the UK to 1,200 MW and established new partnerships with the aim of securing Scotland’s place as the world leader in marine energy. In addition, it also announced the UK’s largest energy crop project and embarked on a major study into cleaner coal generation.
Ann Loughrey, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at ScottishPower, said: “In a year where Business in the Community’s judging criteria has become tougher, to actually increase our score and retain our platinum status is a remarkable acheivement. ScottishPower has an established culture of community involvement and responsible practice, which has only been reinforced further through our recent intergration with the Iberdrola Group who have a strong committment to CSR.
"Corporate responsibility is about developing the strength of our business, while respecting the needs of our stakeholders. We remain committed to being a socially responsible company with best practice in corporate governance, business topics and respect for the environment. This commitment creates a sense of belonging and trust amongst stakeholders – and it is encouraging to receive external recognition of our work in this area.”
Notes to Editors:
Business in the Community is a unique movement of over 800 member companies, representing 1 in 5 of the UK private sector workforce. A further 3,000 companies are engaged through our programmes and campaigns which we operate through a local network of more than 100 business-led partnerships. It leads a global partners network of 112 organisations operating in over 60 countries. Business in the Community inspires, engages, supports and challenges companies to continually improve the impact they have on society and the environment through their responsible business programme, sometimes referred to as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).