Reporting and Validation
Annual Reporting
Our performance towards CMP targets will be conducted on an annual basis with results captured in our annual accounts and Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Report. This will allow us to ensure that the CMP remains fit for purpose to deliver targeted carbon reductions, as well as delivering a mechanism to highlight offsetting/in-setting where appropriate. We do not intend to publish a CMP every year, but we will publish amendments as necessary via a form of version control, and produce a new CMP every five years (currently financial year 2022/23 until 2027/28). Our reporting mechanisms will monitor the following:
- Progress towards our overall CMP corporate carbon reduction targets;
- Progress with, and close-out of, identified carbon reduction/offsetting projects and stated Net Zero Primed Overdraft Balance; and,
- Identification and target engagement for emissions captured under our Scope ‘i’.
Validation
An internal validation process of the data and information used to underpin the CMP is undertaken by our Environment and Sustainability team. Our Climate Change branch coordinates data compilation and carries out checks for accuracy and relevance. This level of scrutiny is required because the raw datasets, predominantly associated with business travel, are prone to contain administrative or unexplainable errors that may need to be corrected.
The data is subsequently used to report on our CMP performance via our Annual Report and Accounts, and our statutory Climate Change Public Bodies Duties Report.
The Head of Environment and Sustainability reviews the final Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Report as a form of final internal validation, and an informal peer review is also carried out with another public body to improve and share best practice. The report is then submitted to our SMT for final approval before submission to the SG.