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Thomas Cook Group plc. Sustainability Report 2010

GRI index

GRI Application Level Check

We have aligned this report with the Global Reporting Initiative's (GRI) G3 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines, achieving Level B. This level has been verified by the GRI. The table below lists the GRI indicators, shows which we have been able to report against and provides links to the relevant information.

View GRI Application Level Check statement.

Core indicators are shown in bold.

  • Yes, this is reported on Reported
  • This is partially reported on Partially reported
  • No, this is not reported on Not reported

1. Strategy and analysis

Profile Section Reported
1.1 Statement from the most senior decision-maker of the organisation. Yes, this is reported on
1.2 Description of key impacts, risks, and opportunities. Corporate site: Yes, this is reported on

2. Organisational profile

Profile Section Reported
2.1 Name of the organisation. Yes, this is reported on
2.2 Primary brands, products, and/or services. Corporate site: Yes, this is reported on
2.3 Operational structure of the organisation, including main divisions, operating companies, subsidiaries, and joint ventures. Annual Report & Accounts 2010: Yes, this is reported on
2.4 Location of organisation's headquarters. Yes, this is reported on
2.5 Number of countries where the organisation operates, and names of countries with either major operations or that are specifically relevant to the sustainability issues covered in the report. Corporate site:

Our major 19 operating countries are as follows: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, UK, USA.

We own and operate hotels in the following: Cyprus, Greece and its islands, Spain and its islands, Turkey.

Yes, this is reported on
2.6 Nature of ownership and legal form. Corporate site: Yes, this is reported on
2.7 Markets served (including geographic breakdown, sectors served, and types of customers/beneficiaries). Corporate site: Annual Report & Accounts 2010 Yes, this is reported on
2.8 Scale of the reporting organisation. Yes, this is reported on
2.9 Significant changes during the reporting period regarding size, structure, or ownership. Annual Report & Accounts 2010 Yes, this is reported on
2.10 Awards received in the reporting period. Yes, this is reported on

3. Report parameters

Profile Section Reported
3.1 Reporting period (e.g., fiscal/calendar year) for information provided. Data included in this report relates to our financial year 1 October 2009 to 30 September 2010, unless otherwise specified. Yes, this is reported on
3.2 Date of most recent previous report (if any). We report annually and our last report was published in January 2010. Yes, this is reported on
3.3 Reporting cycle (annual, biennial, etc.) We report annually and our last report was published in January 2010. Yes, this is reported on
3.4 Contact point for questions regarding the report or its contents. Yes, this is reported on
3.5 Process for defining report content. Yes, this is reported on
3.6 Boundary of the report (e.g., countries, divisions, subsidiaries, leased facilities, joint ventures, suppliers).

The report covers the Thomas Cook Group in full. However, there are exceptions where information or data is not available from every part of the business. We have included notes to the data to explain which parts of the business are excluded from any data set.

Data from our joint venture and associates are not included. Please see: Annual Report & Accounts 2010: Financial statements, Notes to the Company financial statements (Note 17).

Yes, this is reported on
3.7 State any specific limitations on the scope or boundary of the report.

The report addresses the full range of economic, environmental and social impacts of Thomas Cook Group. The report includes information and data covering the major businesses in the Group. Thomas Cook UK features more prominently than other parts of the business partly because it employs approximately half our staff and partly because the Thomas Cook Group is a UK-listed company. We are continuing to implement Group-wide sustainability and data management systems in order to report on all of our businesses in the future.

The joint venture and associates are not included in the report. We do not intend to report on these as we do not hold majority ownership. Please see: Annual Report & Accounts 2010: Financial statements, Notes to the Company financial statements (Note 17).

Yes, this is reported on
3.8 Basis for reporting on joint ventures, subsidiaries, leased facilities, outsourced operations, and other entities that can significantly affect comparability from period to period and/or between organisations.

The joint venture and associates are not included in the data. Please see: Notes to the Company financial statements (Note 17).

Yes, this is reported on
3.9 Data measurement techniques and the bases of calculations, including assumptions and techniques underlying estimations applied to the compilation of the Indicators and other information in the report. Explain any decisions not to apply, or to substantially diverge from, the GRI Indicator Protocols.

These have been included with individual data in the following sections:

Yes, this is reported on
3.10 Explanation of the effect of any re-statements of information provided in earlier reports, and the reasons for such re-statement (e.g., mergers/acquisitions, change of base years/periods, nature of business, measurement methods).

Our 2008 CO2 emissions were restated in our 2010 report showing CO2e for direct comparison.

There have been no restatements between our 2009 report and this one and there are no other restatements on information provided in previous reports.

Yes, this is reported on
3.11 Significant changes from previous reporting periods in the scope, boundary, or measurement methods applied in the report. We set minimum requirements for the reporting of environmental data during this reporting year, which has resulted in increased reporting/more complete data from across the business. This has contributed to higher figures. Yes, this is reported on
3.12 Table identifying the location of the Standard Disclosures in the report. GRI Index Yes, this is reported on
3.13 Policy and current practice with regard to seeking external assurance for the report. This report is not independently assured. However, the application level is checked by the GRI. Yes, this is reported on

4. Governance, Commitments, and Engagement

Profile Section Reported
4.1 Governance structure of the organisation, including committees under the highest governance body responsible for specific tasks, such as setting strategy or organisational oversight. Thomas Cook Group Annual Report & Accounts 2010 Yes, this is reported on
4.2 Indicate whether the Chair of the highest governance body is also an executive officer. Annual Report & Accounts 2010 Yes, this is reported on
4.3 For organisations that have a unitary board structure, state the number of members of the highest governance body that are independent and/or non-executive members. Annual Report & Accounts 2010 Yes, this is reported on
4.4 Mechanisms for shareholders and employees to provide recommendations or direction to the highest governance body. Annual Report & Accounts 2010 Yes, this is reported on
4.5 Linkage between compensation for members of the highest governance body, senior managers, and executives (including departure arrangements), and the organisation's performance (including social and environmental performance). Annual Report & Accounts 2010 Our Chief Executive's performance is measured on both financial and non-financial KPIs. Yes, this is reported on
4.6 Processes in place for the highest governance body to ensure conflicts of interest are avoided. Annual Report & Accounts 2010 Yes, this is reported on
4.7 Process for determining the qualifications and expertise of the members of the highest governance body for guiding the organisation's strategy on economic, environmental, and social topics. Annual Report & Accounts 2010 Yes, this is reported on
4.8 Internally developed statements of mission or values, codes of conduct, and principles relevant to economic, environmental, and social performance and the status of their implementation. Thomas Cook Group Yes, this is reported on
4.9 Procedures of the highest governance body for overseeing the organisation's identification and management of economic, environmental, and social performance, including relevant risks and opportunities, and adherence or compliance with internationally agreed standards, codes of conduct, and principles. Annual Report & Accounts 2010 Yes, this is reported on
4.10 Processes for evaluating the highest governance body's own performance, particularly with respect to economic, environmental, and social performance. Annual Report & Accounts 2010 Yes, this is reported on
4.11 Explanation of whether and how the precautionary approach or principle is addressed by the organisation. Annual Report & Accounts 2010 Yes, this is reported on
4.12 Externally developed economic, environmental, and social charters, principles, or other initiatives to which the organisation subscribes or endorses. Yes, this is reported on
4.13 Memberships in associations (such as industry associations) and/or national/international advocacy organisations in which the organisation:
  • Has positions in governance bodies;
  • Participates in projects or committees;
  • Provides substantive funding beyond routine membership dues; or
  • Views membership as strategic.
Yes, this is reported on
4.14 List of stakeholder groups engaged by the organisation. Yes, this is reported on
4.15 Basis for identification and selection of stakeholders with whom to engage.

Information on stakeholder engagement can be found in the following section. Here we group our stakeholders into a number of categories including by type or similar interest group: Sustainability strategy and management.

Additional information can be found in the following section: External engagements.

We engage with parties who have expertise or knowledge of an issue, or with stakeholders who engage with Thomas Cook on a topic related to a material area of focus.

Yes, this is reported on
4.16 Approaches to stakeholder engagement, including frequency of engagement by type and by stakeholder group. Yes, this is reported on
4.17 Key topics and concerns that have been raised through stakeholder engagement, and how the organisation has responded to those key topics and concerns, including through its reporting. Yes, this is reported on

Disclosures on Management Approach (DMAs)

Aspects Section Reported
Economic

Our approach to managing economic performance is covered in our Annual Report and Accounts 2010. Specific information can be found in the following sections:

A brief summary of financial performance is also provided in: About us.

Yes, this is reported on
  Economic performance Annual Report & Accounts 2010 Yes, this is reported on
  Market presence Annual Report & Accounts 2010 Yes, this is reported on
  Indirect economic impacts Information on the indirect impacts of tourism on the communities in which our customers holiday is covered in: Destination communities. This is partially reported on
Environment

Our approach to environmental management is discussed in the Our environment section. All actions to reduce environmental impacts are implemented under the Umbrella of our Group Environmental Policy, available from: Sustainability strategy and management.

Our environmental goals and performance are provided in: Progress against 2009/10 targets.

Priorities for 2010/11

Yes, this is reported on
  Materials Yes, this is reported on
  Energy Yes, this is reported on
  Water Yes, this is reported on
  Biodiversity Yes, this is reported on
  Emissions, effluents and waste Yes, this is reported on
  Products and services Yes, this is reported on
  Compliance Yes, this is reported on
  Transport Yes, this is reported on
  Overall Total environmental protection expenditures are not provided. No, this is not reported on
Labour

Our management approach to labour aspects is discussed in the Our employees section.

Our Health and Safety policy and Whistleblower policy are available from: Sustainability strategy and management.

Goals and performance related to our management of employees are provided in: Progress against 2009/10 targets.

Priorities for 2010/11

Yes, this is reported on
  Employment Yes, this is reported on
  Labour/management relations This is partially reported on
  Occupational health and safety Yes, this is reported on
  Training and education Yes, this is reported on
  Diversity and equal opportunity Yes, this is reported on
Human Rights

Aspects of our approach to human rights within our business and in relation to our supply chain are discussed in:

Goals and performance are provided in:

Yes, this is reported on
  Investment and procurement practices We abide by the ILO's international labour standards. Human rights are addressed in our contract processes. However, this is only currently verifiable in the UK. This is partially reported on
  Non-discrimination Diversity Yes, this is reported on
  Freedom of association and collective bargaining Listening to our employees Yes, this is reported on
  Child labour

We consider it imperative to protect children from all forms of exploitation, including child labour and child prostitution. We work with ECPAT on protecting children from child prostitution, child pornography and child trafficking – further information can be found in:

Yes, this is reported on
  Forced and compulsory labour

We regard forced and compulsory labour as unacceptable and our approach to this issue is stated in our Code of Ethics, available from: Sustainability strategy and management.

Yes, this is reported on
  Security practices This is not a material issue for us and is not covered in the report. No, this is not reported on
  Indigenous rights Our approach to protecting the rights of indigenous people in our operations forms part of the principles stated in our Code of Ethics, available from: Sustainability strategy and management. This is partially reported on
Social

Our management approach to society aspects is covered in:

Our Whistleblower policy is available from: Sustainability strategy and management.

Community-related goals and performance are provided in:

Annual Report & Accounts 2010
Yes, this is reported on
  Community Yes, this is reported on
  Corruption

Ethics and whistleblowing are also covered in our Annual Report & Accounts 2010: Risk management and internal control

Yes, this is reported on
  Public policy External engagements Yes, this is reported on
  Anti-competitive behaviour

This information is covered in GRI indicator SO7.

Our Code of Ethics and Whistleblower policy are available from: Sustainability strategy and management and Downloads.

Ethics and whistleblowing are also covered in our Annual Report & Accounts 2010: Risk management and internal control.

Yes, this is reported on
  Compliance This information is covered in GRI indicator SO8. Yes, this is reported on
Product responsibility

Our management approach to product responsibility aspects is covered in the Our customers section.

Customer-related goals and performance are provided in: Progress against 2009/10 targets and Priorities for 2010/11.

Yes, this is reported on
  Customer health and safety Yes, this is reported on
  Product and service labelling Yes, this is reported on
  Marketing communications Yes, this is reported on
  Customer privacy Yes, this is reported on
  Compliance This information is covered in GRI indicator PR9. Yes, this is reported on

Economic

Indicator Section Reported
Economic performance
EC1 Direct economic value generated and distributed, including revenues, operating costs, employee compensation, donations and other community investments, retained earnings, and payments to capital providers and governments. Annual Report & Accounts 2010 Yes, this is reported on
EC2 Financial implications and other risks and opportunities for the organisation's activities due to climate change.

We have outlined the implications and other risks and opportunities for the organisation's activities due to climate change, but have not quantified them in financial terms.

Yes, this is reported on
EC3 Coverage of the organisation's defined benefit plan obligations. Yes, this is reported on
EC4 Significant financial assistance received from government. We do not receive any significant financial assistance from government. Yes, this is reported on
Market presence
EC5 Range of ratios of standard entry-level wage compared to local minimum wage at significant locations of operation.   No, this is not reported on
EC6 Policy, practices and proportion of spending on locally based suppliers at significant locations of operation.   No, this is not reported on
EC7 Procedures for local hiring and proportion of senior management hired from the local community at significant locations of operation.   No, this is not reported on
Indirect economic impacts
EC8 Development and impact of infrastructure investments and services provided primarily for public benefit through commercial, in-kind, or pro bono engagement. Yes, this is reported on
EC9 Understanding and describing significant indirect economic impacts, including the extent of impacts.   No, this is not reported on

Environmental

Indicator Section Reported
Materials
EN1 Materials used by weight or volume.

The key materials used are paper and water, and information is provided in the following section: Resource use.

The business also uses aircraft fuel and this is reported separately in the Aircraft emissions section.

Yes, this is reported on
EN2 Percentage of materials used that are recycled input materials.   No, this is not reported on
Energy
EN3 Direct energy consumption by primary energy source.

Our energy consumption is reported in the following sections:

The direct energy sources purchased are aircraft fuel, gas, petrol and diesel.

Our direct energy consumption is measured in gigajoules as follows:

  • Airline fuel: 54,623,354 GJ
  • Gas: 97,036 GJ
  • Petrol: 16,856 GJ
  • Diesel: 21,995 GJ
  • Other fuels: 39,417 GJ
Yes, this is reported on
EN4 Indirect energy consumption by primary source.

We report our indirect energy consumption in the following section: Energy and business travel.

Our electricity consumption is: 361,406 GJ.

Across the Group, 2.8% of our total electricity consumption comes from renewable sources.

Yes, this is reported on
EN5 Energy saved due to conservation and efficiency improvements. No, this is not reported on
EN6 Initiatives to provide energy-efficient or renewable energy-based products and services, and reductions in energy requirements as a result of these initiatives. Although there is no Group policy at present, there are initiatives across the business to provide energy-efficient or renewable energy services for transfers and excursions, for example the use of an electric bus in Italy, a solar boat trip in Spain and solar panels in our hotels. This is partially reported on
EN7 Initiatives to reduce indirect energy consumption and reductions achieved. Yes, this is reported on
Water
EN8 Total water withdrawal by source. Yes, this is reported on
EN9 Water sources significantly affected by withdrawal of water.   No, this is not reported on
EN10 Percentage and total volume of water recycled and reused.   No, this is not reported on
Biodiversity
EN11 Location and size of land owned, leased, managed in, or adjacent to protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas.   No, this is not reported on
EN12 Description of significant impacts of activities, products and services on biodiversity in protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas.   No, this is not reported on
EN13 Habitats protected or restored. Spotlight: making a difference in destination communities This is partially reported on
EN14 Strategies, current actions and future plans for managing impacts on biodiversity.   No, this is not reported on
EN15 Number of IUCN Red List species and national conservation list species with habitats in areas affected by operations, by level of extinction risk.   No, this is not reported on
Emissions, effluents and waste
EN16 Total direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions by weight. Yes, this is reported on
EN17 Other relevant indirect greenhouse gas emissions by weight.   No, this is not reported on
EN18 Initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reductions achieved. Yes, this is reported on
EN19 Emissions of ozone-depleting substances by weight.   No, this is not reported on
EN20 NOx, SOx and other significant air emissions by type and weight.   No, this is not reported on
EN21 Total water discharge by quality and destination.   No, this is not reported on
EN22 Total weight of waste by type and disposal method. Yes, this is reported on
EN23 Total number and volume of significant spills. We had no spills. Yes, this is reported on
EN24 Weight of transported, imported, exported, or treated waste deemed hazardous under the terms of the Basel Convention Annex I, II, III, and VIII, and percentage of transported waste shipped internationally.   No, this is not reported on
EN25 Identity, size, protected status and biodiversity value of water bodies and related habitats significantly affected by the reporting organisation's discharges of water and runoff.   No, this is not reported on
Products and services
EN26 Initiatives to mitigate environmental impacts of products and services, and extent of impact mitigation. Yes, this is reported on
EN27 Percentage of products sold and their packaging materials that are reclaimed by category.   No, this is not reported on
Non-discrimination
EN28 Monetary value of significant fines and total number of non-monetary sanctions for non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations. There were no cases of non-compliance in the reporting period. Yes, this is reported on
Transport
EN29 Significant environmental impacts of transporting products and other goods and materials used for the organisation's operations, and transporting members of the workforce.

Our most significant environmental impact is the emission of carbon dioxide from our aircraft transporting customers to and from their holiday destinations.

Yes, this is reported on
Overall
EN30 Total environmental protection expenditures and investments by type.   No, this is not reported on

Social: Labour practices and decent work

Indicator Section Reported
Employment
LA1 Total workforce by employment type, employment contract and region. Yes, this is reported on
LA2 Total number and rate of employee turnover by age group, gender and region.   No, this is not reported on
LA3 Benefits provided to full-time employees that are not provided to temporary or part-time employees, by major operations. Yes, this is reported on
Labour/management relations
LA4 Percentage of employees covered by collective bargaining agreements.

We are currently unable to report the percentage figure. However, a large number of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. This is something we intend to report in 2013.

This is partially reported on
LA5 Minimum notice period(s) regarding significant operational changes, including whether it is specified in collective agreements.   No, this is not reported on
Occupational health and safety
LA6 Percentage of total workforce represented in formal joint management-worker health and safety committees that help monitor and advise on occupational health and safety programmes.   No, this is not reported on
LA7 Rates of injury, occupational diseases, lost days and absenteeism, and number of work-related fatalities by region.

We currently do not collect data at Group level for lost days or our absentee rate.

This is partially reported on
LA8 Education, training, counselling, prevention and risk-control programmes in place to assist workforce members, their families, or community members regarding serious diseases.   No, this is not reported on
LA9 Health and safety topics covered in formal agreements with trade unions.   No, this is not reported on
Training and education
LA10 Average hours of training per year per employee by employee category.

We report the value of our overall investment in employee training. However, currently data are not available for average hours per employee or by employee category.

This is partially reported on
LA11 Programmes for skills management and lifelong learning that support the continued employability of employees and assist them in managing career endings.   No, this is not reported on
LA12 Percentage of employees receiving regular performance and career development reviews. Yes, this is reported on
Diversity and equal opportunity
LA13 Composition of governance bodies and breakdown of employees per category according to gender, age group, minority group membership and other indicators of diversity. Annual Report & Accounts 2010 This is partially reported on
LA14 Ratio of basic salary of men to women by employee category.   No, this is not reported on

Social: Human rights

Indicator Section Reported
Diversity and equal opportunity
HR1 Percentage and total number of significant investment agreements that include human rights clauses or that have undergone human rights screening.   No, this is not reported on
HR2 Percentage of significant suppliers and contractors that have undergone screening on human rights and actions taken.   No, this is not reported on
HR3 Total hours of employee training on policies and procedures concerning aspects of human rights that are relevant to operations, including the percentage of employees trained.   No, this is not reported on
Non-discrimination
HR4 Total number of incidents of discrimination and actions taken. Yes, this is reported on
Freedom of association and collective bargaining
HR5 Operations identified in which the right to exercise freedom of association and collective bargaining may be at significant risk, and actions taken to support these rights.

We do not consider the right to exercise freedom of association and collective bargaining to be at significant risk in any of our operations. These issues are managed through our internal HR processes.

Yes, this is reported on
Child labour
HR6 Operations identified as having significant risk for incidents of child labour, and measures taken to contribute to the elimination of child labour.   No, this is not reported on
Forced and compulsory labour
HR7 Operations identified as having significant risk for incidents of forced or compulsory labour, and measures to contribute to the elimination of forced or compulsory labour.   No, this is not reported on
Security practices
HR8 Percentage of security personnel trained in the organisation's policies or procedures concerning aspects of human rights that are relevant to operations.   No, this is not reported on
Indigenous rights
HR9 Total number of incidents of violations involving rights of indigenous people and actions taken. There have been no incidents of violations involving rights of indigenous people. Yes, this is reported on

Social: Society

Indicator Section Reported
Community
SO1 Nature, scope and effectiveness of any programmes and practices that assess and manage the impacts of operations on communities, including entering, operating and exiting. This is partially reported on
Corruption
SO2 Percentage and total number of business units analysed for risks related to corruption.   No, this is not reported on
SO3 Percentage of employees trained in organisation's anti-corruption policies and procedures. 100% of our senior managers and all UK employees have received training in our anti-corruption policies and procedures. This is partially reported on
SO4 Actions taken in response to incidents of corruption.   No, this is not reported on
Public policy
SO5 Public policy positions and participation in public policy development and lobbying. Yes, this is reported on
SO6 Total value of financial and in-kind contributions to political parties, politicians and related institutions by country. Yes, this is reported on
Anti-competitive behaviour
SO7 Total number of legal actions for anti-competitive behaviour, anti-trust and monopoly practices and their outcomes. There were no cases of anti-competitive behaviour, anti-trust or monopoly practices in the reporting period. Yes, this is reported on
Compliance
SO8 Monetary value of significant fines and total number of non-monetary sanctions for non-compliance with laws and regulations. There were no cases of non-compliance in the reporting period. Yes, this is reported on

Social: Product Responsibility

Indicator Section Reported
Customer health and safety
PR1 Life-cycle stages in which health and safety impacts of products and services are assessed for improvement, and percentage of significant products and services categories subject to such procedures.

Health and safety is of paramount importance in our business and we assess health and safety at every stage of the customer journey. Our airlines meet regulatory safety standards and all hotels, transfers and excursions are assessed against health and safety criteria.

Yes, this is reported on
PR2 Total number of incidents of non-compliance with regulations and voluntary codes concerning health and safety impacts of products and services during their life cycle, by type of outcomes.   No, this is not reported on
Non-discrimination
PR3 Type of product and service information required by procedures, and percentage of significant products and services subject to such information requirements.   No, this is not reported on
PR4 Total number of incidents of non-compliance with regulations and voluntary codes concerning product and service information and labelling, by type of outcomes.   No, this is not reported on
PR5 Practices related to customer satisfaction, including results of surveys measuring customer satisfaction. Yes, this is reported on
Marketing communications
PR6 Programmes for adherence to laws, standards and voluntary codes related to marketing communications, including advertising, promotion and sponsorship. This is partially reported on
PR7 Total number of incidents of non-compliance with regulations and voluntary codes concerning marketing communications, including advertising, promotion and sponsorship by type of outcomes.

In 2009/10, a complaint was made to the UK Advertising Standards Authority by the Post Office against Thomas Cook Retail Ltd. It related to a press advertisement and a radio advertisement for our foreign currency exchange services, in which we compared our rates against the Post Office's. The complaint included three grievances, two of which were upheld by the Advertising Standards Authority in January 2010.

Other enquiries were made by the trading and advertising standards regulators during the year. These were dealt with individually and did not result in any prosecutions.

Yes, this is reported on
Customer privacy
PR8 Total number of substantiated complaints regarding breaches of customer privacy and losses of customer data.   No, this is not reported on
Non-discrimination
PR9 Monetary value of significant fines for non-compliance with laws and regulations concerning the provision and use of products and services. There were no fines for non-compliance with laws and regulations concerning the provision and use of products and services in the reporting period. Yes, this is reported on

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