Enviros has conducted an independent verification of the
environment section of Kelda Group plc’s (Kelda’s)
web-based report. The objective was to provide assurance on the
completeness and accuracy and of the text and data presented in the
report and to review the internal systems for data collection. We
have also reviewed how Kelda have identified the material issues
for reporting and their responsiveness towards their stakeholders.
Further interim verifications will be conducted as appropriate when
revisions are made to the website.
Responsibilities
Kelda is responsible for the presentation of environmental
information and data within the web-based environmental report..
This statement is the responsibility of Enviros and represents our
independent opinion. We have not been involved in any part of the
preparation of the web-based material.
Verification Scope and Methodology
The verification has been conducted through interviews and
telephone discussions with Kelda staff responsible for collating
the text and data within the report. The text has been discussed
and substantiated, and the origins of data sampled.
This verification statement applies to the updates of the web-based
environmental section and is in addition to previous statements
applicable to the remaining data and text within the web-based
environmental report, previously verified by Enviros.
For clarity, the updated web-based environmental sections which
have been verified are:
Material issues for reporting are identified by the Company’s
Environment team, with advice from their independent Environmental
Advisory Panel. The Panel, made up of representatives from key
environmental organisations, is an appropriate forum for
identifying material issues, it does not, however, cover the views
of all Kelda Group stakeholders.
Accuracy of the Report
The web-based environmental text and data is considered to be
materially accurate. Kelda’s internal reporting guidance in
relation to derivation of the performance indicators has assisted
with the accuracy and consistency of the data collection.
Completeness of the Report
Although the report adequately represents Yorkshire Water
activities (which makes up around 80% of Kelda), it does not extend
to complete coverage of the wider Kelda Group activities.
Recommendations
In order to ensure completeness and to provide a balanced
understanding of Kelda’s environmental performance,
environmental reporting needs to extend to all subsidiaries of the
Kelda Group.
The external stakeholder engagement process should be
representative of other Kelda subsidiaries rather than limited to
Yorkshire Water stakeholders only. To extend stakeholder dialogue,
Kelda should also ensure that customers, employees and contractors
are adequately represented through this engagement process.
We welcome Kelda’s decision to review their environmental
performance indicators and would encourage them to agree these
proposed revisions with their stakeholders in order to demonstrate
responsiveness to stakeholder concerns and interests. The report
would also benefit from qualification of the presented indicators
to describe trends in performance.
We also support the imminent publication of environmental
performance targets, which should help to provide a more
transparent presentation of the direction of Kelda’s
environmental management programmes.
