Carbon footprint

Much of the effects of climate change can be reduced by limiting CO₂ emissions, which have a major effect on the climate. The Charity Lotteries have committed themselves. Some of the possible effects of climate change can be limited by reducing CO₂ emissions. The lotteries’ emissions are determined in accordance with the guidelines of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. We are trying to minimise emissions (Scope 1, Scope 2 and parts of Scope 3) as much as possible.

Results 2012
 

Reduction in CO₂ emissions

We have set ambitious targets to reduce our carbon footprint and this year we achieved an overall CO₂ emission reduction of 7% per FTE. Although the total CO₂ emissions of the Dutch Charity Lotteries increased by 8% (2011: 4,962 ton, 2012: 5,360), the CO₂ emission reduction per FTE was -4.4% compared to 2011. This is mainly caused by the significant growth of FTE (+13%). The main cause of the absolute increase of the Dutch carbon footprint is the increase of our paper use. In relation to the 2010 emissions, the Dutch Charity Lotteries lowered their emissions by 9.1%.

CO₂ emissions compensation

We have set ourselves the target to fully compensate all our remaining CO₂ emissions. This target is already met by Novamedia, People's Postcode Lottery and the Swedish Postcode Lottery. In Sweden we are even Climate neutral according to GHG Corporate Value Chain Standard (Scope 3). The Dutch Charity Lotteries will include the first year's fuel consumption of cars given away in 2012 in their scope for compensation.

Highlight 2012

The Charity Lotteries have an ambition to pay a fair price – with social and environmental costs included – for purchased goods and services. With this ambition in mind, the Swedish Postcode Lottery set out to explore the possibility of including the climate cost in the price throughout the value chain. This has been done in steps. Climate neutral distribution services have been purchased all from the start. In 2009 the lottery compensated for business travel and larger events. In 2010 the climate footprint was calculated and compensated with a life cycle perspective. In 2011 the footprint was calculated and compensated according to the Corporate Value Chain Standard (Scope 3) of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.

The aim of this process is to form a solid basis for informed decisions and actions ahead. The production and use of non-monetary prizes is included in the calculations and accounts for 74% of the footprint along the value chain. These emissions come from production and use of books, bicycles and cars amongst other things. So, for example, when the Swedish Postcode Lottery hands out a car as a lottery prize, the prize of a car (that fulfils the definition of an environmental car in Sweden) has been paid, but also the climate cost of producing the car and the cost of using it for three years. In The Netherlands this is not possible yet because of the high volume of non-monetary prizes.

In the majority of cases the larger part of the footprint lies up- or downstream in the value chain of consumer goods. Being important actors in the market, the lotteries can potentially influence millions of customers and their families to more sustainable consumption, by setting an example through our non-monetary prizes.

“Our aim in the near future is to spur a creative in-house discussion on what consumption we want to contribute to while at the same time keeping our customers on board, to assure that the commercial force is sustained and so the growth of our investments in society. We will also work more closely with our suppliers to reduce footprints – climate, other environmental footprints, and social”, says Annsie Kumlin, Head of CSR for the Postcode Lottery in Sweden.

Note: the infographic above applies to the Swedish Postcode Lottery and its international supply chain.