Viridian CSR Policy

Overview

Viridian state in their CSR policy that community-based initiatives which raise awareness of the importance of safety will be encouraged and pursued. In 2011 the Belfast Telegraph ranked Viridian as 24th in the Top 100 NI Companies with a profit of £99.6M.

To achieve their objectives, three key themes have been identified through which they will channel their resources, namely:

• GROWTH: promoting and encouraging economic and social development;
• ENVIRONMENT: safeguarding and protecting the physical and natural landscape;
• SAFETY: promoting the safe and efficient use of electricity and ensuring effective safety measures at all their installations.

A number of core principles will underpin all their activities in relation to community involvement namely:

• Viridian Group will support community projects that enhance the Group's operations.
• Individual businesses within the Viridian Group may support community projects as part of their marketing and communication plans and brand them accordingly
• Support for community programmes will be managed to ensure a fair and widespread geographical dispersion.
• An equitable distribution across social groupings and backgrounds will be sought.
• Preference will be given to those projects that have a credible and defined long term outcome.
• Only recognised, reputable community groups with a proven track record of delivery and good governance will be supported.

Financial support for community involvement programmes will be influenced by local operational needs and will be provided in line with agreed budgets, taking into account the above guiding principles.

All community involvement programmes will have clear tangible goals and outputs which are aligned to the key themes of Growth, Environment and Safety. Each community project which involves significant funding will demonstrate that it makes a significant impact and/or sustainable contribution.

Employee Involvement

Viridian Group employees are encouraged and supported, subject to business requirements and resources, to participate in community-based activities through programmes which focus on: mentoring, coaching, volunteering and charitable giving.

Corporate Hospitality

Viridian Group may also respond favourably to requests to support arts, cultural and sporting functions, recognising the business and community benefits.

Example Support

In addition to sponsorship of charities and organisations of £51,000 (2009 - £143,000), the Group’s donations to charities in the year were £14,000 (2009 - £12,000). There were no contributions for political purposes.

Other examples of community involvement have been:

• The Viridian Growth Fund, which at 31 March 2005, had invested a total of £1.7m in developing businesses in Northern Ireland: this fund is supported by private sector investors, including the Group and VGPS, DETI and the European Investment Bank with support under the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation;
• The Prince’s Trust, supported through the provision of office accommodation; and
• Women into Science and Engineering (WISE) Committee in Northern Ireland, which has been supported for the past four years by NIE’s environmental manager, who set up the WISE NI website (www.wiseni.org) and continues to assist in its development.

NIE Energy Supply engages with a wide range of organisations in the voluntary, public and private sectors focusing on social action and CO2 reduction. During the year this included playing an active role in the Department of Social Development’s Fuel Poverty Advisory Group and the newly formed Green New Deal, a cross-sectoral initiative.

How to Apply

Obtain more information from the contact. This policy has been in force since 2004 without alteration. It is not yet known how the sale of NIE will affect the policy (if at all)