Environment

Reducing our carbon footprint and environmental impact

• As part of the Group's ongoing commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and environmental impacts, Dignity has been reporting to the CDP since 2008.

Raw materials and sustainable sourcing

• Our coffins are manufactured using raw materials that are sourced from well managed and sustainable sources.

ISO 14001 accreditation

• Dignity's coffin manufacturing facility has ISO 14001 accreditation which demonstrates our commitment to environmental management.

In 2016, our business continued to have a low environmental impact and its activities are not expected to give rise to any significant environmental risk over the next twelve months. All waste generated is properly disposed of in accordance with current legislation and steps are taken to recycle waste wherever this is practical.

Approximately 34,300 cremations at Dignity crematoria were mercury abated during 2016, representing 54 per cent of the total number of cremations.

Dignity’s coffin manufacturing facility has ISO14001 accreditation, an internationally accepted standard for an effective environmental management system that is designed to address the balance between maintaining profitability and reducing environmental impact. Our coffins are manufactured using raw materials that are sourced from well-managed and sustainable sources. 96 per cent of the coffins manufactured by Dignity are from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) accredited timber.

CDP

As part of Dignity’s ongoing commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and environmental impacts, Dignity has been reporting to the CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project) since 2008. The CDP is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to reduce impacts on the environment by measuring disclosures from thousands or organisations across the world’s major economies. CDP encourages best practice in reporting and reducing environmental impact through a scoring process.  Scoring is based on a number of criteria designed to assess our Energy Management practices and Environmental Strategy, specifically around Performance and Reporting, Risk Management, and Business Strategy in relation to Climate Change.

Dignity’s 2016 submission achieved a 'B' rating, our best ever result. During the period, Dignity also reported on water and waste management for the first time under the Scope 3 requirements.

ESOS compliance

Dignity qualifies for the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme ('ESOS'). Having completed an ESOS assessment during 2015 we are not required to submit another report until 2019.

Greenhouse gas emissions reporting for 2016

The Group reports its Greenhouse Gas to CDP on an annual basis in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent resulting from the combustion of fuel (direct Scope 1 Emissions) and that resulting from the purchase of electricity (indirect Scope 2 Emissions). The emissions for the last five years are as follows:

Our energy consumption figures over the same periods are:

Methodology

Our greenhouse gas emissions have been calculated on a per full time equivalent employee ratio. This intensity metric is the best measure available to the Group given the diversity of the property portfolio, the three separate divisions of the business, and the absence of a similar business to benchmark against.

We have calculated our scope 1 and scope 2 GHG emissions since 2010 and have recently engaged with Ecometrica Ltd to assist with the carbon emissions reporting, which supports greater transparency and accuracy of data. Emissions have derived from accurate consumption information on utility bills, smart meter readings and fuel card data.

GHG emissions have been calculated in accordance with the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard (revised edition), using the location based on scope 2 calculation method together with the latest emission factors from recognised public sources, principally Defra/DECC. Dignity’s carbon emissions disclosure has been undertaken in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

External recognition of our sustainability performance

Waste reduction initiatives

Unwanted materials are divided into tow categories; general waste and cardboard. Waste at 130 Dignity premises is now collected by the same contractor allowing us to measure usage with greater accuracy and reduce the amount of waste deposited in landfill sites.

Smart energy management

93%
We had fitted 1,055 electric smart meters by the end of the period with a further 79 remaining to be fitted in 2017. This represents 93 per cent of the estate where such meters may be fitted.

In addition, we had fitted 517 gas loggers by the end of the period with a further 56 remaining to be fitted in 2017. This represents 89 per cent of the estate.