Pearson plc encompasses  Pearson VUE on a wide geographical stage operates businesses which are educational, and through the assessment and testing programmes it runs makes a contribution to enable candidates from all backgrounds and at all levels to be able to measure their capability in order to enhance their opportunities in the wider community. Pearson also has in place programmes to help less academic candidates achieve a measure of their skills in such subjects as languages.

Targets have been set for measuring and controlling carbon emission, producing a proper environmental management system and to maintain strong values when dealing with people whether an employee, client, contractor or in its general contact with the wider community. 

As a company we will act responsibly in connection with our purchases which draw on environmentally sensitive materials and products in order to protect the future for other generations.

Areas of Focus
The Government has put forward four priority areas in their document “Securing the Future”. In order to focus resources at these target areas Pearson VUE has made the following priorities:

Estate Management
Highest value commodity in the delivery of its services is the premises from which Pearson VUE delivers the assessments. The specification for the current estate was produced at a time when awareness was not as great as it is now with regards to sustainability. There are improvements that can be made to improve the sustainability of their premises. There is scope increase staff awareness of the ways we can continuously improve through education and communication.

Carbon management is on the agenda at a high level within the organisation and 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 travelling to and from the test centre less onerous on the environment and more convenient for staff and candidates.

As well as considering the fabric of the 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 a new raw material cost and associated environment impact.

Looking After Natural Resources
Revised specification for premises, refurbishments and general supplies can influence procurement and when applied to the complete supply chain will result in significant improvements being made. Suppliers with similar ethics will be sought.

Climate Change
Energy is another large resource and selection of suppliers based purely on cost will be replaced by suppliers who can deliver more energy from renewable sources. Travel arrangements to work and business trips are being investigated and logged. The impact of operation of the business in relation to climate change is considered at every step.

Fairer Community
Social responsibility can lead to a fairer society. By making Pearson the business operation a two way affair in which the balance between what is taken out of the environment and the community and what is put back is proportional and is fair to all then we can uphold this principle. The well being of staff and candidates will also be of benefit to the wider community and this is always a consideration.