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Indicator description:
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Reference 2010:
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Vision and strategy
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| 1.1 |
Statement from the most senior decision-maker of the organisation |
Vision and strategy
2010 sustainability report 5-6 |
| 1.2 |
Description of key impacts, risks and opportunities |
Vision and strategy
Basis of our 2010 sustainability report . See also our company plans for biodiversity, carbon, communities, transport, waste minimisation and water management. |
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Organisational profile
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| 2.1 |
Name of the organisation |
Scope of our reporting |
| 2.2 |
Primary brands, products and/or service |
Businesses
Products and services |
| 2.3 |
Operational structure of the organisation, including main divisions, operating companies, subsidiaries and joint ventures |
Our businesses |
| 2.4 |
Location of organisation's headquarters |
Scope of our reporting |
| 2.5 |
Number of countries where the organisation operates and names of countries with either major operations or that are specifically relevant to the sustainability issues covered in the report |
Scope of our reporting |
| 2.6 |
Nature of ownership and legal form |
Scope of our reporting |
| 2.7 |
Markets served (including geographic breakdown, sectors served and types of customers/beneficiaries) |
Sectors
Our businesses
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| 2.8 |
Scale of the reporting organisation |
Scope of our reporting |
| 2.9 |
Significant changes during the reporting period regarding size, structure or ownership |
Scope of our reporting |
| 2.10 |
Awards received in the reporting period |
Awards |
Report parameters
|
| 3.1 |
Reporting period for information provided |
Scope of our reporting |
| 3.2 |
Date of most recent previous report |
Scope of our reporting |
| 3.3 |
Reporting cycle |
Scope of our reporting |
| 3.4 |
Contact point for questions regarding the report or its contents |
Email us |
| 3.5 |
Process for defining report content |
Written using the GRI reporting framework to application level A+
www.globalreporting.org |
| 3.6 |
Boundary of the report (e.g. countries, divisions, subsidiaries, leased facilities, joint ventures, suppliers) |
Scope of our reporting |
| 3.7 |
State any specific limitations on the scope or boundary of the report |
This is defined under relevant indictor where deviation from scope occurs |
| 3.8 |
Basis for reporting on joint ventures, subsidiaries, leased facilities, outsourced operations and other entities that can significantly affect comparability from period to period an/or between organisations |
Scope of our reporting |
| 3.9 |
Data measurement techniques and the bases of calculations, including assumptions and techniques underlying estimations applied to the compilation of the indicators and other information in the report. Explain any decisions not to apply, or to substantially diverge from, the GRI Indicator Protocols |
GRI G3 Protocols |
| 3.10 |
Explanation of the effect of any re-statements of information provided in earlier reports, and the reasons for such re-statement (e.g. mergers/acquisitions, change of base years/periods, nature of business, measurement methods) |
This is defined under each indicator where applicable |
| 3.11 |
Significant changes from previous reporting periods in the scope, boundary or measurement methods applied in the report. |
Scope of our reporting |
| 3.12 |
Table identifying the location of the Standard Disclosures in the report |
GRI Index |
| 3.13 |
Policy and current practice with regard to seeking external assurance for the report |
The report assurance followed standard procurement practice through a tendering process |
Governance, commitments and engagement
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| 4.1 |
Governance structure of the organisation, including committees under the highest governance body responsible for specific tasks, such as setting strategy or organisational oversight |
About us |
| 4.2 |
Indicate whether the Chair of the highest governance body is also an executive officer |
In 2010 the Chairman of the Aggregate Industries UK board was not an executive officer of the business |
| 4.3 |
For organisations that have a unitary board structure, state the number of members of the highest governance body that are independent and/or no executive members |
The board |
| 4.4 |
Mechanisms for shareholders and employees to provide recommendations or direction to the highest governance body |
For employees: Regular business divison meetings take place with the CEO and the executive committee. Items can be added to the agenda at these meetings. Holcim is the shareholder of Aggregate Industries UK Limited. Annual business roadmaps are prepared for Holcim. Quarterly meetings also take place between the regional Holcim executive committee and Aggregate Industries' executive committee. |
| 4.5 |
Linkage between compensation for members of the highest governance body, senior managers and executives (including departure arrangements) and the organisations performance (including social and environmental performance) |
Incentive arrangements for senior management are covered under a scheme based on financial performance and individual key performance indicators, one of which includes safety |
| 4.6 |
Processes in place for the highest governance body to ensure conflicts of interest are avoided |
Corporate governance
Based on their seniority, commercial responsibilities and industry involvement, relevant staff are included in the company’s competition law compliance programme. The programme engages staff through training them on issues they may face and how best to approach them. In addition to being bound to behave only in accordance with the terms of the law and our competition law manual, employees are provided with initial and refresher training to ensure that they are fully aware of their and the company’s legal obligations |
| 4.7 |
Process for determining the qualifications and expertise of the members of the highest governing body for guiding the organisations strategy on economic, environmental and social topics |
This is reviewed by executive committee / board |
| 4.8 |
Internally developed statements of mission or values, codes of conduct, and principles relevant to economic, environmental and social performance and the status of their implementation |
Vision and strategy |
| 4.9 |
Procedures of the highest governance body for overseeing the organisation's identification and management of economic, environmental and social performance, including relevant risks and opportunities, and adherence or compliance with internationally agreed standards, codes of conduct and principles |
Vision and strategy
The board |
| 4.10 |
Processes for evaluating the highest governance body's own performance, particularly with respect to economic, environmental and social performance |
Vision and strategy |
| 4.11 |
Explanation of whether and how the precautionary approach or principle is addressed by the organisation |
The precautionary approach is taken with respect to environmental and social risks and is detailed in our sustainability policy |
| 4.12 |
Externally developed economic, environmental and social charters, principles or other initiatives to which the organisation subscribes or endorses |
Please refer to the introduction to Aggregate Industries' 2010 sustainability report |
| 4.13 |
Memberships in association (such as industry associations) and/or national/international advocacy organisations in which the organisation has positions in governance bodies, participates in projects or committees, provides substantive funding beyond routine membership dues or views membership as strategic |
Memberships |
| 4.14 |
List of stakeholder groups engaged by the organisation |
Materiality |
| 4.15 |
Basis for identification and selection of stakeholders with whom to engage |
Materiality |
| 4.16 |
Approaches to stakeholder engagement, including frequency of engagement by type and by stakeholder group |
Materiality
Communities |
| 4.17 |
Key topics and concerns that have been raised through stakeholder engagement, and how the organisation has responded to those key topics and concerns, including through its reporting |
Materiality |
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Economic
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| EC1 |
Direct economic value generated and distributed, including revenues, operating costs, employee compensation, donations and other community investments, retained earnings, and payments to capital providers and governments |
Indicator EC1 |
| EC2 |
Financial implications and other risks and opportunities for the organization’s activities due to climate change |
Please refer to the carbon management, transport and water management sections of this website. All steering groups reffered to on these pages are chaired by a business director and the Executive Committee approve the creation of such groups and the final plans that are produced. The total direct financial implications from potential Climate Change has not been calculated. Please also refer to the introduction to Aggregate Industries' 2010 sustainability report pages 6-7.
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| EC3 |
Coverage of the organization’s defined benefit plan obligations |
Aggregate Industries operates both defined benefit and defined contribution voluntary pension arrangements. In total, there are 22 different schemes in the UK although the Aggregate Industries Pension Plan (defined benefit) and Aggregate Industries Stakeholder Plan (defined contribution) are the most significant sources of pension provision. Defined benefit plans are trust based arrangements with the assets/liabilities being managed through funds which are independent of the company’s resources. Defined contribution plans are either trust based arrangements, as described above, or contract based arrangements whereby the assets are managed on behalf of members by FSA regulated insurance companies. The plan’s pension liabilities are reported in the Aggregate Industries Holdings Limited Annual Report 2010 which is independently audited to IAS19. Contributions to the Aggregate Industries Pension Plan (defined benefit) to fund future service benefits are: employer 21.5%, employee 7%. For the Stakeholder Plan, there is a sliding scale dependent on grade of employee and their contribution rate. |
| EC4 |
Significant financial assistance received from
government |
None |
| EC5 |
Range of ratios of standard entry level wage compared to local minimum wage at significant locations of operation |
All employees are paid equal to or above minimum wage |
| EC6 |
Policy, practices, and proportion of spending
on locally-based suppliers at significant
locations of operation |
The majority of suppliers are currently local to Aggregate Industries' operational sites which supports our policies towards CSR and community engagement. Strategically Aggregate Industries will move towards suppliers able to offer a national capability but preferably who are also able to generate jobs in local / regional areas closest to operational sites. Of Aggregate Industries’ total spend 99% is contained within the UK economy. Numerous factors influence supplier selection. In no particular order these include: Cost (both unit cost and total cost of ownership), financial stability, quality of goods, service excellence, ability to drive innovation, reliability, CSR, environmental systems / capability / track record, health & safety systems / capability / track record, |
| EC7 |
Procedures for local hiring and proportion of senior management hired from the local community at locations of significant operation |
All senior management are regionally based |
| EC8 |
Development and impact of infrastructure
investments and services provided primarily for public benefit through commercial, inkind, or pro bono engagement |
Communities
Refer to pages 14-16 of our 2010 sustainability report .
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| EC9 |
Understanding and describing significant indirect economic impacts, including the extent of impacts |
Communities |
Environmental
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| EN1 |
Materials used by weight or volume |
See 2010 sustainability report page 10 |
| EN2 |
Percentage of materials used that are recycled input materials |
Our main sources of recycled input materials are Pulverised Fuel Ash and ground Granulated Blast furnace Slag, as cementitious replacements. Recycled and secondary aggregates are also used in out processes. In 2010 less than 5% of input materials were recycled. |
| EN3 |
Direct energy consumption by primary energy source |
See 2010 sustainability report gas and liquid fuel consumption page 11 |
| EN4 |
Indirect energy consumption by primary source |
See 2010 sustainability report electricity consumption page 11 |
| EN5 |
Not reported |
Not reported |
| EN6 |
Initiatives to provide energy-efficient
or renewable energy based products
and services, and reductions in energy requirements as a result of these initiatives |
Life
Railway products
Road products
Also see 2010 sustainability report Level Code 5 housing in Woking page 31 |
| EN7 |
Not reported |
Not reported |
| EN8 |
Total water withdrawal by source |
2010 sustainability report page 12 |
| EN9 |
Not reported |
Not reported |
| EN10 |
Percentage and total volume of water recycled and reused |
Recycled water is collected and used with our operations where practical, for example for washing vehicles, concrete manufacture and dust suppression. Whilst some sites do monitor the quantity of recycled/ harvested water used, there is no current monitoring system established to record data consistently throughout the business. |
| EN11 |
Location and size of land owned, leased, managed in, or adjacent to, protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas |
Biodiversity |
| EN12 |
Description of significant impacts of activities, products, and services on biodiversity in protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas |
Biodiversity |
| EN13 |
Habitats protected and restored |
Biodiversity |
| EN14 |
Strategies, current actions, and future plans for managing impacts on biodiversity |
Biodiversity plan
Community plan |
| EN15 |
Number of IUCN Red List species and national conservation list species with habitats in areas affected by operations, by level of extinction risk |
1 vulnerable, 3 near threatened, 50 least concern, 1 data deficient, also 19 UKBAP habitats and 72 UKBAP species |
| EN16 |
Total direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions by weight |
Direct - from gas and liquid fuels 213,707 tonnes CO2e Indirect - from electricity 85,674 tonnes CO2e |
| EN17 |
Other relevant indirect greenhouse gas emissions by weight |
No figures reported due to indirect GHG emissions being insignificant for our business at this time. |
| EN18 |
Initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reductions achieved |
Investment in demand side management - VSD, Burner Control. Asphalt plant fuelling on renewable liquid fuels (4.1% by Energy Usage) |
| EN19 |
Emissions of ozone-depleting substances by weight |
We have identified that we do not have processes, products or services that use ozone depleting substances. |
| EN20 |
NO, SO, and other significant air emissions by
type and weight |
NOx = 1,563 tCO2e, Sulphur = 98 tCO2e. POP = not recorded, VOC = not recorded, HAP = not recorded, PM = not recorded. Dust emissions from stacks = 379 tonnes, calculated based on maximim permission limits and average operating hours. The calculation provides an estimated figure as the majority of plants operate well below the maximum emission level/ |
| EN21 |
Total water discharge by quality and destination |
2010 sustainability report page 12 |
| EN22 |
Total weight of waste by type and disposal method |
2010 sustainability report page 30 |
| EN23 |
Total number and volume of significant spills |
Zero |
| EN24 |
Weight of transported, imported, exported, or treated waste deemed hazardous under the terms of the Basel Convention Annex I, II, III, and VIII, and percentage of transported waste shipped internationally |
Zero |
| EN25 |
Identity, size, protected status, and biodiversity value of water bodies and related habitats significantly affected by the reporting organization’s discharges of water and runoff |
None are significantly affected |
| EN26 |
Initiatives to mitigate environmental impacts of products and services, and extent of impact imitigation |
Life
Railway products
Road products
Also discussed in our 2010 sustainability report |
| EN27 |
Percentage of products sold and their packaging materials that are reclaimed by category |
The majority of products and services provided by the business do not require packaging. Where packaging is used, no formal reclaim system is in operation. |
| EN28 |
Monetary value of significant fines and total number of non-monetary sanctions for noncompliance with environmental laws and regulations |
None |
| EN29 |
Significant environmental impacts of transporting products and other goodsand materials used for the organisation’s operations, and transporting members of the workforce |
Transport plan |
| EN30 |
Not reported |
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Labour practices
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| LA1 |
Total workforce by employment type, employment contract, and region |
Please refer to pages 17-20 of our 2010 sustainability report |
| LA2 |
Total number and rate of employee turnover by age group, gender, and region |
Please refer to pages 17-20 of our 2010 sustainability report |
| LA3 |
Benefits provided to full-time employees that are not provided to temporary or part-time employees, by major operations |
The only benefit which slightly differs between full and part time employees is the company car / cash for car scheme whereby part time employees are offered an enhanced cash for car benefit. Employee benefits are outlined on our website |
| LA4 |
Percentage of employees covered by collective bargaining agreements |
28% of employees are covered by a formal collective pay agreement |
| LA5 |
Minimum notice period(s) regarding operational changes, including whether it is specified in collective agreements |
Under Collective Agreements concerning pay and hours prior consultation is undertaken together with Trade Unions. For other operational changes we aim to give as much notice as possible, 1 weeks minimum, and prior consultation is completed where possible |
| LA6 |
Percentage of total workforce represented in formal joint management–worker health and safety committees that help monitor and advise on occupational health and safety programs |
Over 75% of the total workforce are actively involved in health and safety development to facilitate a health and safety culture with interactive safety tours regularly taking place across all our operations. See also 2010 sustainability report |
| LA7 |
Rates of injury, occupational diseases, lost days, and absenteeism, and number of workrelated fatalities by region |
Our absenteeism rate is 2.5 which shows the average sickness days per employee per year. See also 2010 sustainability report page 23 |
| LA8 |
Education, training, counseling, prevention, and risk-control programs in place to assist workforce members, their families, or community members regarding serious diseases |
See our2010 sustainability report page 23 |
| LA9 |
Health and safety topics covered in formal agreements with trade unions |
Althought no formal agreements cover health and safety with trade unions, trade unions are heavily involved in all health and safety related issues on site where applicable |
| LA10 |
Average hours of training per year per employee by employee category |
Please refer to pages 14 and 34 of our 2010 sustainability report |
| LA11 |
Programs for skills management and lifelong learning that support the continued employability of employees and assist them in managing career endings |
Please refer to pages 14 and 29 of our 2010 sustainability report |
| LA12 |
Percentage of employees receiving regular performance and career development reviews |
Please refer to page 34 of our 2010 2010 sustainability report |
| LA13 |
Composition of governance bodies and breakdown of employees per category according to gender, age group, minority group membership, and other indicators of diversity |
In 2010 the Board was made up of 11 individuals, ten male accounting for 91%
with one female, all of whom are over 50 years of
age and do not belong to an ethnic minority group. |
| LA14 |
Ratio of basic salary of men to women by employee category |
Top and senior grades 1.01:0.74, Middle management 1.01:0.92, Other employees 1.01:0.93. This has been calculated by using an average salary, based on 39 hours, for each level of management. Ratio shown is as a ratio of the total average salary for that particular group |
Product responsibility
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| PR1 |
Life cycle stages in which health and safety impacts of products and services are assessed for improvement, and percentage of significant products and services categories subject to such procedures |
Aggregate Industries has a New Product Development lifecycle; this does not indicate specifically where health and safety impacts are assessed. However safety data sheets for products are available here. These detail information to ensure the safe use of products supplied by Aggregate Industries. In addition bagged aggreagate products carry labelling to alert consumers that care needs to be taken when lifting. Where a product is likely to have a health and safety or environmental impact, for example 'irratant' this is outlined on the packaging |
| PR2 |
Total number of incidents of non-compliance with regulations and voluntary codes concerning health and safety impacts of products and services during their life cycle, by type of outcomes |
None reported |
| PR3 |
Type of product and service information required by procedures, and percentage of significant products and services subject to such information requirements |
The majority of products supplied by Aggregate Industries are not packaged and due to the nature and longevity 'in situ' positioning of the products, there is no written procedure for their disposal. Aggregate Industries does however consume recycled products within its manufacturing process. Working with one of the industry’s most respected governing bodies, the Building Research Establishment (BRE), we have developed a system that calculates the carbon footprint for any Bradstone landscaping product. The carbon footprint for all our products will be included on each product page on our website in the early part of 2011. In simple terms, a carbon footprint is the total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases created during the life of a product from production to use and disposal |
| PR4 |
Total number of incidents of non-compliance with regulations and voluntary codes concerning product and service information and labeling, by type of outcomes |
Zero |
| PR5 |
Practices related to customer satisfaction, including results of surveys measuring customer satisfaction |
Mystery shopper calls conducted in first half of the year and the Overall Score for 2010 was 3.5, rated as excellent. Majority of sales offices have call-recording equipment and ongoing call review is part of the management process |
| PR6 |
Programs for adherence to laws, standards, and voluntary codes related to marketing communications, including advertising, promotion, and sponsorship |
Design and media agencies are accountable for the compliance and reporting of all marketing communications across the organisation in line with ICC and ASA. Documentation of these standards is held centrally. There are no products in the portfolio to date which are banned in certain markets or subject to question |
| PR7 |
Total number of incidents of non-compliance with regulations and voluntary codes concerning marketing communications, including advertising, promotion, and sponsorship by type of outcomes |
Zero |
| PR8 |
Total number of substantiated complaints regarding breaches of customer privacy and losses of customer data |
Zero. Aggregate Industries has an option for recipitents of email communications to 'unsubscribe' from mailing lists |
| PR9 |
Monetary value of significant fines for noncompliance with laws and regulations concerning the provision and use of products and services |
Zero |
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Human rights
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| HR1 |
Percentage and total number of significant investment agreements that include human rights clauses or that have undergone human rights screening |
Zero. This is controlled by UK law |
| HR2 |
Percentage of significant suppliers and contractors that have undergone screening on human rights and actions taken |
All of our contracts with significant suppliers are with UK based companies where human rights issues are extensively covered by UK law. However this is supplemented by specific supplier pre-qualification questions within which there is a section focusing on Ethical trading. No actions were taken in 2010 against any of our significant suppliers |
| HR3 |
Total hours of employee training on policies and procedures concerning aspects of human rights that are relevant to operations, including the percentage of employees trained |
Zero hours. We do not offer a general human rights training course |
| HR4 |
Total number of incidents of discrimination and actions taken |
Zero |
| HR5 |
Operations identified in which the right to exercise freedom of association and collective bargaining may be at significant risk, and actions taken to support these rights |
Under current legislation freedom of association and collective bargaining can not be withdrawn |
| HR6 |
Operations identified as having significant risk for incidents of child labour, and measures taken to contribute to the elimination of child labour |
Ethical trading |
| HR7 |
Operations identified as having significant risk for incidents of forced or compulsory labour, and measures to contribute to the elimination of forced or compulsory labour |
We ensure all employees are legally entitled to work in the UK. Before we make any offer of employment we ensure that we have recevied adequate identification from the individual. The HR department holds guidance notes on the prevention of illegal working |
| HR8 |
Percentage of security personnel trained in the organization’s policies or procedures concerning aspects of human rights that are relevant to operations |
Zero |
| HR9 |
Total number of incidents of violations involving rights of indigenous people and actions taken |
Zero |
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Society
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| SO1 |
Nature, scope, and effectiveness of any programs and practices that assess and manage the impacts of operations on communities, including entering, operating, and exiting |
Communities |
| SO2 |
Percentage and total number of business units analysed for risks related to corruption |
All our units are anaysed for risk related to corruption under our Competition Law training programme. See standard disclosure 4.6. and disclosure SO3. During 1010 over 1,100 employees were within the programme |
| SO3 |
Percentage of employees trained in organization’s anti-corruption policies and procedures |
During 2010, 178 people received training. All relevant staff are also required to complete a six monthly return confirming that they are aware of their obligations and either that they are not aware of anything in that period that would amount to a breach of our compliance procedures or disclosing any such breaches that they are aware of. The six monthly return is easily accessible for the vast majority of employees as an electronic form on Brains, the company intranet. The compliance officer is available to all staff to assist with any competition law or compliance queries that they have and we operate a confidential compliance hotline. In 2010, one issue was reported through the hotline and dealt with in accordance with the procedure set down to maintain anonymity |
| SO4 |
Actions taken in response to incidents of corruption |
Zero |
| SO5 |
Public policy positions and participation in public policy development and lobbying |
Memberships
Website |
| SO6 |
Not reported |
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| SO7 |
Total number of legal actions for anticompetitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices and their outcomes |
In 2010, no breaches were reported under the competition law compliance programme |
| SO8 |
Monetary value of significant fines and total number of non-monetary sanctions for noncompliance with laws and regulations |
Zero |