Becoming carbon neutral

Every person and every organisation uses energy. This emits carbon dioxide, one of the main greenhouse gases (see glossary). By taking certain actions we can reduce these emissions and then neutralise the balance so that we make no net contribution to climate change. Once this is achieved we can claim to be carbon neutral.

WPP's main contribution to climate change - its carbon footprint - is from energy used in offices, and business travel. We are taking action to become carbon neutral.

WPP's three steps to carbon neutrality

	Measure. Our carbon footprint is 260,000 tonnes of CO₂ a year. This has been calculated from our property portfolio of over 2,000 offices worldwide, and our business air travel. The figures have been reviewed by the Edinburgh Centre of Carbon Management.

	Reduce. We are introducing energy-efficient design and energy saving across our offices. We have made it company policy to buy renewable electricity where this is available. This will shrink our footprint because renewables do not emit CO₂. Overall, our target is to reduce our carbon footprint by 20% over four years. Initiatives are detailed later in this brochure.

	Offset. The remaining unavoidable emissions, at present 260,000 tonnes of CO₂ a year, will be offset (see facing page for a full description of the term). Our offset will be achieved by supporting renewable energy projects that will save a tonne of CO₂ elsewhere in the world for every tonne that WPP emits.

By taking these three steps WPP will effectively reduce its CO₂ emissions to zero.