Describe the process(es) your organization has in place to ensure that your engagement activities are consistent with your overall climate change strategy[…]We have a newly established Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Board Committee, chaired by a Non-Executive Director and with the CEO as a key member. This committee sets the direction and strategy for climate change across the business. At a business/operational level, we now have a "No Time To Waste" environmental sustainability programme with an associated Steering Group, chaired by the CEO. This programme, at a business-wide level, identifies the climate change aims, ambitions and activities of the business, aligned to the strategy agreed by the Board ESG Committee.
The Head of Corporate Affairs and Communication (who reports to the CEO) is a member of the No Time To Waste Steering Group. In terms of direct and indirect activities that influence policy, there are only 2 individuals within the business mandated to engage directly with policy makers - the CEO and the
Head of Corporate Affairs and Communication. Given the scale of our business, it is only ever these 2 individuals who will communicate Company policy to the trade association (BSDA).
On a more indirect basis, the business has clearly set out positions on all climate change related matters. These are version controlled documents, reviewed and updated regularly, and made available to senior leaders in the business who may have to communicate our company position externally, e.g. sales colleagues to customers. This process ensures consistency, however external communications with these senior leaders would tend to be with external contacts such as customers, rather than policy makers themselves. On a more and more regular basis, the Head of Corporate Affairs & Communication will engage directly with these external contacts to convey our climate change strategy.