19 April 2016

Costain has been listed in Business in the Community’s annual Corporate Responsibility Index (CR Index).

The CR Index helps businesses to assess how successfully they are integrating responsible business practice into their operations by assessing factors ranging from a company’s culture and values to its environmental impact and transparency over pay policies.

Costain achieved a score of 93%, which means it has 3.5 stars.

The 2016 CR Index is published as part of Responsible Business Week (18-22 April 2016 #RBWeek) an annual campaign to inspire more businesses to take action which creates positive change in society – while raising awareness of the action business is taking.

2016 CR Index data reinforces the importance of the leadership when integrating responsible business practice into operations. Over half of participants have formally assessed the skills required of their board, compared to just 10% two years ago, while 90% of firms provide training for leaders to help them shape businesses that will grow sustainably. Companies are also recognising the wider impact of their supply chain with 4 in 5 setting targets that suppliers must adhere to and 3 in 4 providing support to help suppliers meet these targets. The average score of the CR Index has remained high at 90% demonstrating the continued relevance of corporate responsibility to business operations.

Commenting, James York, Costain’s Corporate Responsibility Manager, said: “We recently launched our ‘Engineering A Sustainable Tomorrow’ strategy which is the next phase in our Costain Cares journey and is based upon our four sustainability goals: Ensuring Costain is a safe and great place to work; Creating a better environment; Supporting our local communities and leaving a positive lasting legacy; and Providing better solutions to the marketplace. The CR index provides us a useful benchmark against our peers and wider industry, ensuring we focus on the issues that truly matter to our stakeholders”

Stephen Howard, Chief Executive, Business in the Community said: “Genuine responsible business starts in the engine room of companies. It’s about how companies translate their values into behaviour and decision making, create the right culture and drive societal and economic value in the process. The CR Index helps companies take an in-depth look at their business from the inside out and it’s encouraging to see companies increasingly integrated responsible business into business at all levels. This year’s Index also reinforces the opportunity companies have to think much longer term to address pressing issues such as climate change. I congratulate Costain for achieving its ranking and look forward to working together to create a fairer society and a more sustainable future.”

For further information about the 2016 CR Index including the full list of participating companies, please visit www.bitc.org.uk/crindex.

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