This sustainability report contains both qualitative and quantitative information on the sustainability efforts that Wolters Kluwer undertook in 2011. Quantitative data is collected from almost all business units across the globe via a special sustainability questionnaire consisting of 45 indicators on social and environmental aspects. At the corporate center, the data is consolidated and where relevant extrapolated in order to provide sustainability numbers for Wolters Kluwer as a whole, facilitating a fair comparison to the 2010 numbers.
All calculations which are expressed as ‘per FTE’ (paper consumption; energy use; aspects related to CO2; water; business air travel; amount spent on learning) are based on ultimo FTE numbers which include the FTEs from operations which were discontinued during the past year. Where relevant, currencies are converted using the financial year’s average exchange rate.
We report following the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative G3 (GRI) and Global Compact. Both can be seen as internationally recognized standards. For GRI we declare level B.
In 2011 we continued to improve the way we manage and interpret our sustainability data. As a result, we restated the data for 2010 with respect to responsible paper usage, business air travel (and therefore related CO2 emissions) and donations. Improved reporting processes will remain one of the focal points for our efforts at corporate level.
