Guidance for business on environmental key performance indicators

The purpose of this informal consultation is to seek views on revised voluntary guidance for how UK organisations should measure and report on their environmental impacts.   This guidance is intended to replace the current guidance which was published in 2006. The 2006 guidance is in need of updating to reflect developments over recent years.  In recognition of this fact, the Government made a commitment in the Natural Environment White Paper (NEWP) The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature:  “The Government will publish new guidance for businesses by 2012 on how to measure and report their corporate environmental impacts”. This revised guidance fulfils that commitment.

The aim of the revised guidance is to provide clear advice to companies on how to measure and report on their environmental performance using environmental key performance indicators (KPIs);  help determine which KPIs are most relevant to an organisation; and set out the rationale for managing environmental performance using KPIs.  (This guidance is additional to the existing guidance on how to measure and report on greenhouse gas emissions).

Readers will find a list of consultation questions in paragraph 8 of this consultation document. We would welcome views on the structure, content, and more specific aspects of the guidance, and suggestions for making them a more useful tool for business.

The closing date for this consultation is 17 October 2012. Responses should be sent to the following email address:

EnvironmentalReporting&Skills@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Or by post to:

Sackey Bennin
Area 5C
Ergon House.
Horseferry Road
London SW1P 2AL