Barclays reviews corporate responsibility issues

London, 31 May: The consequences of climate change and the evolving debate on sustainability are examined in Barclays' eighth corporate responsibility report, published this month.

The bank described these issues as "the two key developments driving corporate responsibility", but the report also discusses developments in responsible lending to individuals and corporations, addressing the extension of financial services to the poor, international growth and working with suppliers.

Carbon dioxide emissions from its UK operations, which the bank has offset to become 'carbon neutral', rose 6% in 2006 to reach 222,773 tonnes. However, its carbon intensity, expressed in terms of income, fell 4% to 16.2 tonnes of CO2 per million pounds.

The report was produced taking account of the international AA1000 Standard and in accordance with the 2002 GRI sustainable reporting guidelines, including the financial sector supplements.

The report can be downloaded here

Other corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports published in May via ReportAlert.info, a report announcement joint venture between Environmental Finance Publications and Corporate Register, include those from:

KBC Group
Prudential
HSBC
Export Development Canada
AIG
Exxon Mobil
E.ON
Rabobank
Chevron
Total
Catalyst Paper
BP
Motorola
RWE
Royal Dutch Shell
American Electric Power
BG Group

More details on CSR and other non-financial corporate reports can be found here