Climate change is the most serious environmental issue today. The increase in carbon dioxide, methane and other ‘greenhouse’ gases in our atmosphere is causing rising temperatures, higher sea levels and other climate effects such as more frequent storms and floods.

Although the full effects of climate change are not yet clear, there is sufficient evidence of the potential damage for us to all have to take action to curb the emission of greenhouse gases.

marcus evans is committed to gradually reducing its carbon footprint and aims to be ‘carbon neutral’, so that no greenhouse gases are emitted as a result of our activities. We are measuring our carbon footprint generated from staff in all 63 offices and training centres in the group, as well as business travel. We will disclose our carbon footprint and monitor it over time.

We have policies in place that reduce carbon emissions. For example, we utilise video-conferencing facilities to reduce business travel. We make use of recycled paper and control the amount of electricity used by ensuring that lights are switched off when work spaces are not in use. We have a preference to buy electricity generated from renewable sources, such as wind power, where this is readily available.

We aim where possible to use suppliers who share similar aims as ours with regard to the environment.

We will use carbon-offset schemes in order to eliminate the effects of remaining carbon emissions that we can not directly reduce. To allow time for us to ensure that the carbon offset schemes are properly reducing emissions, we are aiming to be fully carbon neutral by the end of 2008.