Benchmarking

We aim to apply best practice standards of corporate responsibility. In order for us to see how we're performing in comparison to similar companies, we take part in a range of benchmarking exercises. This year, we were highly-ranked in a number of corporate responsibility league tables. The list below shows the main benchmarks we monitor along with our recent performance:

• Business in the Community's Corporate Responsibility Index: a voluntary benchmark of responsible business practice by UK companies. In 2006, BAA's score was 99% and we achieved a place in the top, ('platinum') band. 
• Business in the Community's Business Environment Index: a benchmark of practice on environmental issues by UK companies. BAA remained in the 'premier league' of companies scoring more than 99% and we are included in the platinum band.
• The PerCent Standard: a voluntary benchmark measuring the contributions made by companies through cash donations, staff time and gifts in kind, as a percentage of pre-tax profits. In 2005/6 - the final year of the PerCent Standard - we contributed £6.4 million or 0.85% pre-tax profits to community investments.
• United Nations Environment SustainAbility Global Reporters survey: a biannual survey of sustainability reporting. BAA was ranked in the top 50 reporting companies in the most recent survey in 2006.
• Dow Jones Sustainability Index: a global index tracking the financial performance of leading sustainability-driven companies worlwide. BAA took part in the index until the company was bought byFerrovial in 2006. We achieved a score of 74% against a global industry average of 46% in the 2005 index. Ferrovial has been included in the Index for five years and is the leader in the heavy construction industry in 2006.
• BAA is also a member of the London Benchmarking Group. This is a group of over 100 companies that manage, measure and report on their community involvement.