Advocacy and influence
Carillion’s contribution to sustainability is greater when we look beyond the boundaries of our business to its influence on the wider world.
Of course, sustainability issues are complex and we do not claim to have all the answers. We work with expert organisations and industry bodies to improve our understanding and together advocate actions that we believe will support sustainability.
Carillion makes no political donations, but is involved in regular consultation with Government. Around 80% of our UK revenue comes from public sector and regulated customers, so we participate in Government working groups and contribute our opinions on policy development. For example, in 2009 we were involved in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) consultations on waste exemptions, managing and reporting greenhouse gases and handling and transporting waste.
The industry and sustainability organisations of which we are active members include the following.
- Business in the Community (BITC): we support BITC’s Business Action on Homelessness, Rehabilitation of Offenders and Business Action on Economic Regeneration programmes, as well as being a May Day founder member and taking part in the BITC-sponsored sustainable accounting project.
- Forum for the Future: we share best practice with other members and belong to the Construction Leadership Group.
- > WWF: we are corporate members and have worked with WWF to develop our approach to sustainable timber procurement.
- > The Emirates Environmental Group, Emirates Marine Environmental Group, Emirates Green Build Council Corporate Membership, Build Safe UAE and the Sustainability Focus Group: Carillion MENA is an active participant in all these organisations.
- > The UK Contractors Group’s (UKCG) environmental group: the UKCG lobbies Government and comments on consultation papers.
- > Construction Skills, the skills council for the construction sector: Carillion is represented on the main Construction Skills Training Committee and collaborates to deliver the largest employer-based apprentice training programme in the UK.
- > Carbon Action Yorkshire, a regional forum of FTSE 250 organisations, including our support services business, that share best practice in carbon management and stakeholder engagement.
- > The Social Enterprise Support Centre, the board of which includes a representative from our support services business.
- > The Civil Engineering Constructors Association, the Highway Term Maintenance Association and the Rail Infrastructure Environmental Forum: our Infrastructure division is actively involved with these organisations.
- > The CBI Construction Council’s Climate Change Group, which has recently been formed to highlight low-carbon initiatives within the construction sector and identify how they contribute to the CBI’s Low Carbon Road Map.
Carillion’s senior executives also contribute their time and expertise to industry and sustainability organisations. Our Group Chief Executive John McDonough is Chair of the CBI Construction Council, which ensures the industry’s voice is heard by Government and regulators, as well as within the CBI. Quentin Leiper, our Group Chief Engineer, served on the construction steering group for the Prince of Wales’ Accounting for Sustainability project, and David Liming, Managing Director of Carillion Building London and South East, chairs the UKCG’s Health and Safety Group. Don Kenny, Executive Director, is a member of the Business Action on Homelessness Board, Richard Tapp, our Group Company Secretary, is a trustee of the British Occupational Health Research Foundation and Adam Green, Managing Director of Carillion Infrastructure, is a member of The Prince’s Trust Construction and Business Services Leadership Group.
