Why is this important?

A commitment to reducing negative environmental impacts reflects a company’s commitment to the wider community and displays an awareness on the part of the company of its responsibilities as a corporate citizen. Specific reduction targets indicate a stronger commitment than do indefinite statements to reduce emissions/impact more broadly.

Despite the fact that commitments regarding environmental impact do not typically reference children as a specific group, any environmental impact has a significant impact on children’s lives, both directly (through pollution and health impacts, for example) and indirectly by virtue of the fact that children will live with any environmental damage – especially climate change – for longer than adults will, which translates into a greater overall impact on their lives.

About the scoring

A score of 10 is given if the company has a clear and public commitment to reduce their negative environmental impact through:

• Setting specific reduction targets, thereby enabling the company to measure its progress

A score of 5 is given if the company has a general commitment to reducing their environmental impact, but no specific reduction targets.

N.B. This indicator does not require specific mention of children in disclosures as it is not customary for companies to report on their environmental efforts in this way. However, this topic, as has been described under “Why is this important” is especially relevant to children. We would therefore welcome a more explicit reference to children by companies in their policies on environmental impact.

Indicator reference

Children’s Rights and Business Principles:

• All business should respect and support children’s rights in relation to the environment and to land acquisition and use (Principle 7)