Achievements 2011
Targets, Data, and Progress

Achievements 2011 Targets

Continuing Growth of Online, Software, and Service Revenues as a Percentage of Total Revenues

Since 2005, we have worked to convert more businesses from paper-based products into online, software, and service products. This trend reduces both our own environmental footprint and the environmental footprint of our customers. In 2011, 71% of our revenue was generated by electronic and service solutions.

We plan to expand our electronic solutions to emerging markets. For example, we increased our electronic offerings in India. A major shift is occurring from print to online in the Indian professional market, and this offers valuable growth opportunities for online software solutions. We have been stepping up our India operations in recent years and continue to see great potential for our electronic products in the healthcare, tax, and accounting markets.

In China, we set up a joint venture with leading China drug information provider Medicom to deliver clinical decision support to doctors, allowing us to expand our market-leading Clinical Decision Support (CDS) and drug information business into a rapidly growing market. In the Middle East, FRSGlobal, a part of Wolters Kluwer Financial Services, introduced a reporting solution for banks operating in Bahrain, providing them with software that helps automate the generation of risk and regulatory reports and their submission to the national regulator.

Increase Percentage of Responsible Paper Used

While we are converting our businesses to online, software, and services products, it is important that the remaining paper-based portion should be as clean as possible. At the request of stakeholders, we introduced more stringent paper measures in 2010. A distinction was added for production paper and office paper to ensure that our paper policy captures the full scope of our operations.

A detailed definition for chain-of-custody certified paper and recycled paper was established based on best practices in the industry, which means our responsible paper is either chain-of-custody certified paper or post-consumer recycled paper. The paper is produced from wood of forests that are managed in socially and environmentally responsible ways. The paper should also be processed in an environmentally-friendly manner, meaning that it is produced without the use of toxic chemicals, with aqueous-based coatings, and with low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) soy or vegetable inks. The equipment used to process the paper should be efficient in terms of energy use, waste production, and spoilage. When appropriate, papers containing post-consumer waste are used.

We now chart the volumes of externally certified chain-of-custody paper and recycled paper across the business. In addition, we measure volumes of environmentally-friendly paper used across all our business units. In 2011, we achieved 35% responsible paper, of which almost 100% had a chain-of-custody certification based on the standards of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification,) or SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative).

Identifying, Managing, and Auditing High-Risk Suppliers

The management of supplier performance is a critical function for improving value chain performance. Poor performance by suppliers can have a large impact on our ability to deliver products and services to our customers. Our supply chain does not include many manufacturing suppliers. Instead, we have a supply base that primarily consists of indirect suppliers who provide services to our company, such as printing, shipping, and IT consulting. Nevertheless, we expect all our suppliers to adhere to laws and applicable standards for labor and human rights. The supplier principles that are included in the Human Rights Policy apply to the entire business.

Resource Management Data

We measure the environmental performance of our business units in terms of paper use, waste, energy use, and water use. We also measure the carbon-emissions-related impact of business-related air travel.

Revenue Data

Revenue by Media

In 2011 the percentage of revenue generated by electronic products increased again. This is in line with our ambitions for our sustainability performance. More revenue from electronic products means less paper and lowers our environmental footprint. For both 2010 and 2011, the figure is based on calculations whereby discontinued operations are excluded.

Environmental Data

The percentage of responsible paper is increasing. The strong decrease for the category ‘at least 10% post-consumer recycled material’ can be explained by a shift towards certified paper or 100% recycled.

Restatement for the 2010 data: in last year’s sustainability report, the 2010 figure for responsible paper was higher than what is presented here. We have corrected the number after a reinterpretation of last year’s data in line with the definitions for responsible paper.

Supplier Data

The percentage of business units that is monitoring its high-risk suppliers remained stable. The percentage of business units performing internal audits on high-risk suppliers decreased. This decrease is mainly affected by a shift towards external audits.