Estate Management

• Carbon management is on the agenda at a high level within the organisation and an audit has been carried out on all electrically driven air conditioning plant and the method of controlling its operation both in time and temperature.
   
• Pearson plc is taking part in the Carbon Disclosure Project and will set targets in accordance with the findings.
   
• The new site location checklist produced by one of Pearson VUE’s clients will be used when identifying potential test centres. For example this will help make travel to and from the test centre less onerous on the environment and more convenient for staff and candidates.
    
• Building materials are now recycled where possible in the event of a test centre being relocated. This makes a saving in existing materials going to landfill and on new raw material cost and associated environmental impact.

Looking after natural resources

• A cycle to work scheme has been introduced at the headquarters building in Salford Quays assisting staff who are interested in cycling to work.
   
• A secure cycle store has been provided for staff cycles and space could be made available for more for the future.
   
• 80% of all paper used is now recycled and paper used in the office is a mix of 80% recycled paper and 20% new.
   
• Recycled note pads have been introduced at all premises.
   
• 100% of general envelopes are now recycled.
   
• All in house printers are set to print double sided and black and white as the default setting.
   
• Colour printing is limited and requires management approval.
   
• Printing is monitored and reported by the IT Manager each month to the Operational Management Team.
   
• The waste management system has changed. Desk bins have been removed and replaced with local bins marked for content and this enables the maximum amount of recycling to take place and minimises the impact of the waste we produce on landfill.
   
• All printer toner cartridges are now recycled.
   
• Separate storage facilities have been introduced to control the disposal of light tubes, batteries and all electronic and electrical waste which is generated by the business as required by the WEEE regulations.
   
• There has been an assessment of the impact on the drainage system at Salford Quays building due to the possibility of any spillage of fuel oil as a result of the operation of the standby generator in the basement car park. A spillage kit and signage is now in place and the appropriate staff will be trained in the safe use of the kit. 

Climate Change

• New hardware is being introduced to all test centres which uses less energy and can be controlled centrally to enable advantage to be taken of the facility to close down the equipment when it is not required.
   
• Pearson plc is taking part in the Carbon Disclosure Project both at Salford Quays head quarters and throughout the test centres.
   
• All printers and copying machines are set to go into energy saving mode when not in use.
   
• The carbon emission value of all company procured vehicles is now being controlled at the procurement stage.
     
• A travel policy has been introduced which recommends that staff consider the environment before travelling, carry out an environment impact assessment prior to travelling and where possible take advantage of the video conferencing facility which is available. 

Fairer Community

• Test centres are physically set up and fitted out to ensure as much as is possible that there is equal access for all and that no particular group is either advantaged or disadvantaged.
   
• Pearson VUE has a strong diversity plan and employs staff from many different backgrounds and does not discriminate against any member of staff, candidate, supplier or contractor on any grounds.
   
• All staff members have access to fair trade tea, coffee and sugar throughout the test centre network and at the Salford Quays head office. This means that workers involved in the supply chain will get a fair reward for their labours and a better standard of living.
    
• Pearson plc regularly donates money and educational materials to poorer countries and is instrumental in bringing basic education to places where it would not otherwise be possible.
   
• Any charitable collections undertaken by staff, such as selling cakes for Red Nose Day are equalled by the company and sent to the charity involved.
    
• Pearson staff regularly visit local schools (Book Time) in working time to actively encourage young pupils to take an interest in reading.