Shared Responsibility - Npower

EnvironmentBiodiversityBiodiversity is the natural variety of life on earth,encompassing all species of plants and animals.It is being lost at an increasing rate throughoutthe world as a result of human activity. Theneed to halt this loss has been recognised atinternational level through the InternationalConvention on Biodiversity. The UK hasimplemented the EU Habitats Directive and hasdeveloped a national Biodiversity Action Plan.In October 2002 the UK Government launchedEngland’s Biodiversity Strategy ‘Working withthe Grain of Nature’. This Strategy encouragesbusinesses to act for biodiversity, for examplethrough adoption of company BiodiversityAction Plans.We carried out a number of activities over thelast year to support our biodiversity framework:• We developed the Biodiversity Action Plansfor Fawley and Aberthaw power stations.At Fawley we carried out a number of surveysin partnership with the Hampshire WildlifeTrust (HWT) and HWT were commissionedto provide site management advice andsupervision to manage the site in keepingwith its surroundings.• We hosted a seminar for businesses in theSwindon area to support the developmentof a Swindon Biodiversity Action Plan.RWE npower has an established biodiversityframework which focuses on:• Conserving and enhancing biodiversitywithin our boundaries.• Minimising the effect of our operationsbeyond our boundaries where we may havea direct effect.• Promoting biodiversity beyond any effectsof RWE npower’s operations by supportingthe UK’s biodiversity initiatives.Environmental Education Centre, Sutton CourtenayWe continue to support the Sutton Courtenay Environment Centrenear Didcot power station, through the landfill tax credit scheme.Last year we provided a contribution to the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire& Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust towards a teaching post at the Centre.Targets for 2004Achieve 84MW consent for wind and 8MW for hydro renewables generation.Maintain an above average score in the BiE environment benchmark.Review EMS across the business based on the results of an RWE audit. Develop an action plan to ensure a consistentapproach across RWE npower including the corporate centre.Aim for no environmental breaches that result in improvement conditions from the Environment Agency.Fully comply with SO 2 authorisation conditions and demonstrate compliance with National Air Quality Strategy targets.Improve energy efficiency, resource use and recycling in office accommodation:• Reduce our baseline energy use by 4%• Reduce paper use by 10%• Reduce baseline water use by 2%• Increase recycling of materials by 5%We will introduce travel plans to three more sites.23