As a leader in the industry and one of the first engineering and construction companies to publish a sustainability report in 2005, CH2M HILL continues a tradition of excellence and transparency in reporting on internal operations related to sustainability. Our goal is to both manage the impacts of our own operations and apply our company's portfolio of services to help our clients' organizations become more sustainable—whether dealing in master planning, program management, facilities and land development, sustainable cities, water, waste, transportation, energy and carbon management, environmental work, site revitalization, industrial systems, or long-term operations and maintenance.
As a signatory to the United Nations (UN) Global Compact, CH2M HILL ensures that our business policies incorporate and support the UN Global Compact’s 10 principles. CH2M HILL’s Board of Directors supports our actions to uphold sustainability goals and endorses the plans described in this report. This report also serves as our 2012 UN Global Compact Communication on Progress report. As part of our firm’s commitment to the UN Global Compact, CH2M HILL’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lee McIntire endorses the CEO Water Mandate. CH2M HILL had previously incorporated several components of the mandate into our corporate policies and joined the mandate to partner with a growing number of international companies to help address the global water crisis. In addition, our Chief Legal & Ethics Officer, Margaret McLean, is a member of the Global Compact Working Group on Anti-Corruption. CH2M HILL makes it a priority to include transparency, anti-corruption, and good corporate governance as a part of our sustainability efforts. For more information about the UN Global Compact and the CEO Water Mandate, visit www.unglobalcompact.org.
We continue to use the Global Reporting Initiative™(GRI) indicators for sustainability reporting, because these indicators constitute a familiar, globally accepted standard for reporting to our stakeholders. In some cases, we have adjusted our reporting approach to reflect more accurately CH2M HILL’s business model and the way we work. In all cases, we respond to the spirit of the GRI indicators and provide a transparent view of both our achievements and our shortcomings. The indicators were selected because they apply to our business in a meaningful and challenging way and represent areas where we have an effect on the world. For a full explanation of the GRI guidelines, visit www.globalreporting.org.
CH2M HILL does business through many legal entities around the globe. This report covers the business operations and activities of CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd. and its largest subsidiaries, but not its joint ventures with other companies, unless otherwise noted. The largest subsidiaries of CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd. contributing to the content reported within the 2012 Sustainability Report are as follows:
This 2012 Sustainability Report focuses on activities and performance during the 2011 calendar year. Additionally, historical data for the past 4 years are included as appropriate and available to demonstrate trends. As reflected in previous sustainability reports, tracking for some of our sustainability metrics extends back as early as 2003. Forward-looking statements for 2012 and beyond are provided to indicate our goals in helping to create a sustainable future.
In November 2011, CH2M HILL completed the acquisition of Halcrow Holdings, Ltd., a global engineering firm with 6,000+ engineers serving clients in more than 50 countries. Because Halcrow has not yet completed its integration into the CH2M HILL family of companies, this report does not include information about Halcrow's 2011 operations. Independently, Halcrow is producing its own sustainability report. It is anticipated that CH2M HILL and Halcrow will complete their integration during the course of 2012 and will produce a consolidated report next year.
Unless otherwise noted, all monetary references are in United States dollars (US$). Throughout the report, “tonne” refers to metric tons.
