 |
In developing of this year's report we were guided by Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Reporting Guidelines issued in October 2006 and the Draft Electricity Utility Sector Supplement. To locate specific information on indicators recommended by GRI please use the index below. Please go to www.globalreporting.org for more details on these guidelines.
Our assessment indicates that we applied GRI guidelines at A+ level.
|
Key:
Coloured fields indicate indicators required by the Draft Electricity Utility Sector Supplement
 Indicator is fully reported on
 Indicator is not reported on
 Indicator is partially reported on
Page links:
1. Strategy and Analysis
2. Organisational Profile
3. Report Parameters
4. Governance, Commitments, and Engagement
5. Management Approach and Performance Indicators
1. Strategy and Analysis
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| 1.1 |
Statement from the most senior decision maker of the organisation (e.g. CEO or equivalent senior position) about the relevance of sustainability to the organisation and its strategy. The statement should present the overall vision and strategy particularly with regard to managing key sustainability challenges. |
|
Chief Executive and Chairman's Review |
|
| 1.2 |
Two concise narrative sections on key impacts, risks and opportunities. |
|
Chief Executive and Chairman's Review |
|
|
|
2. Organisational Profile
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| 2.1 |
Name of reporting organisation |
|
Financial Information
|
|
| 2.2 |
Primary brands, products, and/or services including the nature of the organisation's role in providing these products and services, and the degree to which it utilises outsourcing. |
|
Our Customers/Customer Services
Our People/Organisation |
The following services are outsourced by Meridian Energy:
HP - IT Support
ABB - Manage Meridian's voice and data network
ICG - Consultant services
Zelko - Maintenance, cleaning and tour guiding at our stations in the Waitaki chain and Manapouri.
Teletech - Call centre based staff based in our Christchurch office.
|
| 2.3 |
Operational structure of the organisation including main divisions, operating companies, subsidiaries and joint ventures. |
|
Governance |
|
| 2.4 |
Location of the organisation's headquarters. |
|
Our Operations |
|
| 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. |
|
Governance |
Meridian has no significant operations outside New Zealand. |
| 2.6 |
Nature of ownership and legal form. |
|
Financial Information
Governance |
|
| 2.7 |
Nature of markets served. Markets served (including geographic breakdown, sectors served, and types of customers /beneficiaries). |
|
Our Customers |
We offer a full service to our customers in all 44 major distribution network areas of New Zealand. Our customers include residential, small and medium business and corporate. |
| 2.8 |
Scale of the reporting organisation including number of employees, net sales (for private sector) or net revenue (for public sector); total capitalisation broken down in terms of debt and equity (for private sector organisations); and quantity of products or services provided |
|
Our People/Organisation
Financial Information
Our Operations
|
|
| 2.9 |
Significant changes during the reporting period regarding size, structure, or ownership including: the location of, or changes in operations, including facility openings, closings, and expansions; and changes in the share capital structure and other capital formation, maintenance, and alteration operations (for private sector organisations). |
|
About Our Report
Environment/Climate Change
|
|
| 2.10 |
Awards received in the reporting period. |
|
Highlights |
Deloitte/Management Top 200 Award (for Most Improved Performance).
|
| EU1 |
Percentage of population served in area of operation, according to category (e.g., rural, commercial, residential, etc.). |
|
Our Customers |
|
| EU2 |
EU2. Length of transmission and distribution lines. |
|
|
Meridian does not operate transmission and distribution lines. The Electricity Reform Act states that generators and retailers are not permitted to own or operate transmission or distribution lines. |
|
|
3. Report Parameters
Report Profile
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| 3.1 |
Reporting period (e.g. fiscal/calendar year) for information provided. |
|
Financial Information
|
|
| 3.2 |
Date of most recent previous report (if any). |
|
Financial Information
|
Meridian publishes annual and half year reports. |
| 3.3 |
Reporting cycle (annual, biennial etc). |
|
Financial Information
|
|
| 3.4 |
Contact point for questions regarding the report or its questions. |
|
Contact Us |
|
Report Scope and Boundary
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| 3.5 |
Process for defining report content, including determining materiality, prioritising topics within the report and identifying stakeholders the organisation expects to use the report. |
|
About Our Report |
In development of this report we were guided by the results of the stakeholder survey undertaken to prioritise this years' topics and identify their expectations. To determine materiality we used Global Reporting Initiative tests and the Draft Electricity Utilities Sector Supplement. |
| 3.6 |
Boundary of the report (e.g. countries, divisions, subsidiaries, leased facilities, joint ventures, suppliers). |
|
Financial Information
|
All Meridian operations are included in the Report boundary. |
| 3.7 |
State any specific limitations on the scope or boundary of the report. State strategy and projected timeline for complete coverage. |
|
Financial Information
Our Environment/Climate Change
|
|
| 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. |
|
Financial Information
Our Environment/Climate Change
|
|
| 3.9 |
Data measurement techniques and the basis of calculations, including assumptions and techniques underlying estimations applied to the compilation of the Indicators and other information in the report. |
|
Our Environment/ Climate Change/ Our Carbon Footprint
Our Environment/ Climate Change/ Internal Resource Use
|
|
| 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 Environment/ Climate Change/ Our Carbon Footprint
Our Environment/ Climate Change/ Internal Resource Use |
|
| 3.11 |
Significant changes from previous reporting periods in the scope, boundary, or measurement methods). |
|
Our Environment/ Climate Change/ Our Carbon Footprint
Our Environment/ Climate Change/ Internal Resource Use |
|
GRI Content Index
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| 3.12 |
Table identifying the location of the Standard Disclosures in the report. |
|
Statutory information |
|
Assurance
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| 3.13 |
Policy and current practice with regard to seeking external assurance for the report. If not included in the assurance report accompanying the sustainability report, explain the scope and basis of any external assurance provided. Also explain the relationship between the reporting organisation and the assurance provider(s). |
|
Verification Statement |
Our report was externally audited by ERM. |
|
|
4. Governance, Commitments, and Engagement
Governance
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| 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. |
|
Governance |
|
| 4.2 |
Indicate whether the Chair of the highest governance body is also an executive officer (and, if so, their function within the organisation's management and the reasons for this arrangement). |
|
Governance |
|
| 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. |
|
Governance
Board of Directors
|
|
| 4.4 |
Mechanisms for shareholders and employees to provide recommendations or direction to the highest governance body. |
|
Governance |
|
| 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). |
|
Governance
Financial Information
|
|
| 4.6 |
Processes in place for the highest governance body to ensure conflicts of interest are avoided. |
|
Governance |
|
| 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. |
|
Governance |
|
| 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. |
|
Chief Executive and Chairman's Review
Our Customers
Our People
Environment
Our Communities
|
|
| 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. Include frequency with which the highest governance body assesses sustainability. |
|
Governance |
|
| 4.10 |
Processes for evaluating the highest governance body's own performance, particularly with respect to economic, environmental, and social performance. |
|
Governance |
|
Commitments to External Initiatives
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| 4.11 |
Explanation of whether and how the precautionary approach or principle is addressed by the organisation. |
|
Environment
Governance
|
Precautionary principle is not named but the intention is applied in the way the natural resources are managed. Meridian is guided by the permits and principles of the legislation we operate within. |
| 4.12 |
Externally developed economic, environmental, and social charters, principles, or other initiatives to which the organisation subscribes or endorses. |
|
Environment
Governance
|
|
| 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. |
|
Governance |
|
Stakeholder Engagement
5. Management Approach and Performance Indicators
Disclosure on Management Approach
Economic
Economic Performance
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| 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. |
|
Financial Information
|
|
| EC2 |
Financial implications and other risks and opportunities for the organisation's activities due to climate change. |
|
Environment/ Climate Change
Chief Executive and Chairman's Review
|
|
| EC3 |
Coverage of the organisation's defined benefit plan obligations. |
|
Our People/ Committed to Our People |
Benefit plan is open to all Meridian staff. |
| EC4 |
Significant financial assistance received from government. |
|
|
Meridian is a State-Owned Enterprise as such we do not apply for, or receive Government funding. |
Market Presence
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| EC5 |
Range of ratios of standard entry level wage compared to local minimum wage at significant locations of operation. |
|
|
Meridian contracts an external company to conduct annual salary reviews as well as conducting informal research into remuneration during the year. |
| EC6 |
Procedures for local hiring and proportion of senior management hired from the local community at locations of significant operation. |
|
Our Communities/ Providing Opportunities |
|
| EC7 |
Coverage of the organisation's defined benefit plan obligations. |
|
Our Communities/ Providing Opportunities |
Meridian has a commitment to hiring local people during project development but has no official procedure in place. |
Indirect Economic Impacts
Draft Electricity Utility Sector Supplement Indicators
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| EU3 |
Long Term Reliability. Description of how long term reliability, as well as social, economic and environmental performance criteria are used in investment decisions. |
|
Our Customers/ Supply and Demand |
|
| EU4 |
Long Term Reliability. Process and methodologies used to assess existing and future demand, such as integrated resource planning. |
|
Our Customers/ Supply and Demand
Our Environment/ Natural Resources Management |
|
| EU5 |
Long Term Reliability. Planned capacity (MW), dispatching and/or generation mix (MWh) against projected electricity demand over the long term. |
|
Our Customers/ Supply and Demand
Our Operations |
|
| EU6 |
Short Term Reliability. Approach used for peak load management including load shedding. |
|
|
Meridian's trading team in use load management and load shifting to minimise impact on customers. |
| EU7 |
Short Term Reliability. Customer or supply interruptions (as defined by IEEE recognized standard reliability indicators). |
|
|
Meridian's trading team in use load management and load shifting to minimise impact on customers. |
| EU8 |
Research and Development. Approach to Research and Development (R&D), including R&D goals, investment mechanisms and processes for implementation. |
|
Our Customers/ Products and Services
Chief Executive and Chairman's Review
Environment. Natural Resource Management |
|
| EU9 |
Research and Development. Research and Development expenditure by category as a percentage of total research expenditure. |
|
|
Meridian does not report on Research and Development expenditure. |
| EU10 |
Research and Development. Research and Development expenditure as a percentage of net income. |
|
|
Meridian does not report on Research and Development expenditure. |
| EU11 |
System Efficiency. Generation efficiency. |
|
Our Operations |
|
| EU12 |
System Efficiency. Transmission and Distribution Loss Factor. |
|
|
Meridian does not operate transmission and distribution lines. The Electricity Reform Act states that generators and retailers are not permitted to own or operate transmission or distribution lines. |
|
|
Environmental
Materials
Energy
Water
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| EN8 |
Water: Report water used for processing, (include use of fresh water in ash handling), cooling and consumption in a thermal/nuclear power plant. Also report on volume of water used/MWh net generation. |
|
Our Environment/ Natural Resource Management/ Monitoring, mitigation and compliance |
Meridian reports to statutory agencies annually and as required for hydro-generation and other ancillary activist. Reports are also made available to other interested agencies and stakeholders. Meridian's legal entitlements to dam, divert, take, use and discharge water are based on rates and volumes. As a hydro operator, Meridian is a significant user of water in that we control large parts of water resources within a catchments although our use is generally considered non-consumptive. |
| EN9 |
Water sources significantly affected by withdrawal of water |
|
Our Environment/ Natural Resource Management/ Monitoring, mitigation and compliance
Our Operations |
Meridian manages withdrawal of water in accordance with our consent/permit legal entitlements and agreements. |
| EN10 |
Percentage and total volume of water recycled and reused. |
|
Our Environment/
Sustainability |
New Wellington offices on Customhouse Quay were designed to minimise water use. |
Biodiversity
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| EN11 |
Location and size of land owned, leased, managed in, or adjacent to, protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas. |
|
|
We are aware of the high ecological value of the areas in which we operate and we actively manage our impacts accordingly to ensure our operations are not impacting biodiversity values. |
| EN12 |
Description of significant impacts of activities, products, and services on biodiversity in protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas. |
|
Our Environment/ Natural Resource Management/ Monitoring, mitigation and compliance |
|
| EN13 |
Habitats protected or restored. Biodiversity: Describe criteria and management approaches for assessing biodiversity of compensatory ecosystems. Report on how the biodiversity of compensatory ecosystem is compared to the biodiversity of the area it is replacing. Report also on provisions for facilitating fish passage around existing dams. |
|
Our Environment/ Natural Resource Management/ Monitoring, mitigation and compliance |
|
| EN14 |
Strategies, current actions, and future plans for managing impacts on biodiversity.
Report on the impacts and mitigation measures to the following where appropriate:
· Forested areas (e.g., alterations to crown density)
· Landscape (e.g., impacts of wind farms)
· Freshwater and wetland ecosystems (e.g., downstream water quality including turbidity, sedimentation, siltation and water quality of the lakesbehind hydro-electric dams)
Assessment and mitigation should consider alterations in the migration, breeding, or habitat of animals from the reporting organisation's infrastructure (e.g., power lines and dams) and its maintenance.
|
|
Our Environment/ Natural Resource Management/ Monitoring, mitigation and compliance |
|
| EN15 |
Number of IUCN Red List species and national conservation list species with habitats in areas affected by operations, by level of extinction risk. |
|
|
Meridian are aware of the high ecological value of the areas in which we operate and we actively manage our impacts accordingly. Any particular species are taken into account through our operating entitlements. |
Emissions, Effluents and Waste
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| EN16 |
Total direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions by weight.
Report emissions intensity by generation type:
· CO2e per MWh for net generation
· CO2e from fossil fuel generation per MWh net fossil fuel generation
|
|
|
We are aware of the high ecological value of the areas in which we operate and we actively manage our impacts accordingly to ensure our operations are not impacting biodiversity values. |
| EN17 |
Other relevant indirect greenhouse gas emissions by weight. Report CO2e per MWh for net delivery to end users. |
|
Our Environment/ Natural Resource Management/ Monitoring, mitigation and compliance |
|
| EN18 |
Initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reductions achieved. |
|
Our Environment/ Natural Resource Management/ Monitoring, mitigation and compliance |
|
| EN19 |
Emissions of ozone-depleting substances by weight. Report emissions per MWh net generation.
|
|
Our Environment/ Natural Resource Management/ Monitoring, mitigation and compliance |
|
| EN20 |
NOx, SOx, and other significant air emissions by type and weight.
Report emissions per MWh net generation. Examples of other air emissions include reservoir draw down dust, coal pile dust, ash lagoons or ponds, and precipitator dust.
|
|
|
Meridian are aware of the high ecological value of the areas in which we operate and we actively manage our impacts accordingly. Any particular species are taken into account through our operating entitlements. |
| EN21 |
Total water discharge by quality and destination.
Include thermal discharges.
|
|
|
|
| EN22 |
Total weight of waste by type and disposal method. Report on PCB waste categorized by management method (in kilograms or litres). |
|
|
|
| EN23 |
Total number and volume of significant spills. |
|
|
|
| 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. |
|
|
|
| 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. |
|
|
|
Products and Services
Compliance
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| EN28 |
Monetary value of significant fines and total number of non-monetary sanctions for non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations. |
|
|
No fines or non-monetary sanctions were awarded to Meridian in 2006/07. |
Transport
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| 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 Environment/Climate Change/Internal resource use |
|
Overall
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| EN30 |
Total environmental protection expenditures and investments by type. Report on expenditure to manage and clean up contaminated sites. |
|
|
|
Draft Electricity Utility Sector Supplement Indicators
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| EU13 |
Water: Long-term planning for securing water resources, including description of how the criteria for managing maximum/minimum flow of surface water and volume of ground water are determined and maintained. |
|
Environment/Natural Resources Management
Our Customers/Supply and Demand
|
|
| EU14 |
Percentage of area under Integrated Pest Management. |
|
Environment/Natural Resources Management/Monitoring, Mitigation and Compliance/Didymo |
Meridian reports on efforts to contain and manage Didymo and lagarosiphon. Meridian also works with, and responds to directives from statutory agencies involved with pest control and management. |
| EU15 |
Biodiversity. Ratio of compensatory ecosystem area to total area of land acquired with high biodiversity value. |
|
|
We are aware of the high ecological value of the areas in which we operate and we actively manage our impacts. Any particular species or values are taken into account through our operating entitlements, mitigation activities and monitoring programmes. |
| EU16 |
Emissions, effluents and waste. Management strategy and storage methods for different types of radioactive nuclear waste, including temporary and permanent storage. |
|
|
Meridian does not operate any nuclear power stations. |
| EU17 |
Measures to manage environmental and health and safety impacts of radioactive nuclear waste, and security measures according to the applicable management standards/legislative framework. |
|
|
Meridian does not operate any nuclear power stations. |
| EU18 |
Isotopic composition of radioactive nuclear waste. |
|
|
Meridian does not operate any nuclear power stations. |
| EU19 |
Radioactive nuclear waste produced per net GWh nuclear generation per year. |
|
|
Meridian does not operate any nuclear power stations. |
| EU20 |
High level radioactive nuclear waste sent for processing and reprocessing per year. |
|
|
Meridian does not operate any nuclear power stations. |
| EU21 |
PCBs. Long-term strategy for managing and eliminating high level and low level in-service PCBs. |
|
|
PCBs have been phased out in New Zealand, and therefore do not constitute a significant impact for our organisation. |
| EU22 |
Contaminated land. Expected completion date and projected costs of remediation of all known contaminated sites. |
|
|
No contaminated sites are owned or operated by Meridian. One spillage incident lead to an immediate remediation action. Link to incident report on website. |
| EU23 |
Contaminated land. Ratio of remediated sites to known contaminated sites. |
|
|
No contaminated sites are owned or operated by Meridian. One spillage incident lead to an immediate remediation action. Link to incident report on website. |
|
|
Social: Labour Practices and Decent Work
Employment
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| LA1 |
Total workforce by employment type, employment contract, and region. |
|
Our People/Organisation |
No materials related to construction are reported. |
| LA2 |
Total number and rate of employee turnover by age group, gender, and region. |
|
Our People/Committed to Our People |
Our organisation experiences very low turn-over (7.9%) so we are not reporting on the turn-over details this year. |
| LA3 |
Benefits provided to full-time employees that are not provided to temporary or part-time employees, by major operations. |
|
|
Full and part-time permanent Meridian staff receive the suite of benefits on offer. |
Labour/Management Relations
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| LA4 |
Percentage of employees covered by collective bargaining agreements. |
|
|
SA small percentage of Meridian employees are members of Unions but have individual employment agreements with Meridian rather than collectives. |
| LA5 |
Minimum notice period(s) regarding operational changes, including whether it is specified in collective agreements. |
|
|
This is not a significant issue for Meridian. |
Occupational Health and Safety
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| 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 programs. |
|
|
This issue is regulated by our H&S system, which maintains that highest rating with ACC, and as such we do not report on all details. |
| LA7 |
Rates of injury, occupational diseases, lost days, and absenteeism, and number of work-related fatalities by region. |
|
Our People/Health Safety and Wellness |
|
| LA8 |
Education, training, counselling, prevention, and risk-control programs in place to assist workforce members, their families, or community members regarding serious diseases. |
|
Our People/Health Safety and Wellness |
|
| LA9 |
Health and safety topics covered in formal agreements with trade unions. |
|
|
Not a significant issue as our H&S system maintains tertiary rating with ACC. |
Training and Education
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| LA10 |
Average hours of training per year per employee by employee category. |
|
|
Meridian provides an extensive training programme for employees as part of a career development package. |
| LA11 |
Programs for skills management and lifelong learning that support the continued employability of employees and assist them in managing career endings. |
|
Our People/Learning and Development |
|
| LA12 |
Percentage of employees receiving regular performance and career development reviews. |
|
Our People/Learning and Development |
Meridian employees receive annual performance reviews. |
Diversity and Opportunity
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| LA13 |
Composition of governance bodies and breakdown of employees per category according to gender, age group, minority group membership, and other indicators of diversity. |
|
|
Meridian collects gender employee information and will report on this in future. Meridian does not collect employee ethnicity information. |
| LA14 |
Ratio of basic salary of men to women by employee category. |
|
|
Meridian collects gender employee information will look into reporting ration of basic salary of men to women in future. |
Draft Electricity Utility Sector Supplement Indicators
Social: Human Rights
Investment and Procurement Practice
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| HR1 |
Percentage and total number of significant investment agreements that include human rights clauses or that have undergone human rights screening. |
|
|
Not a significant issue in New Zealand. |
| HR2 |
Percentage of significant suppliers and contractors that have undergone screening on human rights and actions taken. |
|
Environment/Climate Change/Building a Sustainable Supply Chain |
This is not a significant issue for Meridian but when purchasing international products such as turbines Meridian requests suppliers to provide sustainability policies or guidelines, these are then evaluated.
Meridian is Currently developing supply chain agreements based on the United Nations Global Compact to use in the future. |
| 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. |
|
Our Communities/Tangata Whenua Relationships |
Although New Zealand does not suffer Human Rights breaches, Meridian believes it is important to increase our understanding of indigenous Maori culture and language. Meridian also has developed a strong relationship with Ngai Tahu, |
Non-Discrimination
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| HR4 |
Total number of incidents of discrimination and actions taken. |
|
|
No incidents recorded. |
Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| 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. Report on management mechanisms to address the right to strike or instances of lock out, given the context of the industry's need to ensure continuous provision of services. |
|
|
Not a significant issue in New Zealand. |
Child Labour
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| HR6 |
Operations identified as having significant risk for incidents of child labour, and measures taken to contribute to the elimination of child labour. |
|
|
No child labour in our operations. |
Forced and Compulsory Labour
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| 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 forced or compulsory labour in our operations. |
Security Practices
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| HR8 |
Percentage of security personnel trained in the organisation's policies or procedures concerning aspects of human rights that are relevant to operations. |
|
|
The issue was not identified as a significant concern to Meridian or our stakeholders. |
Indigenous Practices
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| HR9 |
Total number of incidents of violations involving rights of indigenous people and actions taken. |
|
Our Communities/Providing Opportunities |
Not a significant issue in New Zealand. |
|
|
Social: Society
Community
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| S01 |
Nature, scope, and effectiveness of any programs and practices that assess and manage the impacts of operations on communities, including entering, operating, and exiting. |
|
Our Communities/Providing
Opportunities |
|
Corruption
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| S02 |
Percentage and total number of business units analysed for risks related to corruption. |
|
|
Not a significant risk in New Zealand. Meridian has developed Sensitive Expenditure and Poretced Disclosures Policies in line with New Zealand Legislation. |
| S03 |
Percentage of employees trained in organisation's anti-corruption policies and procedures. |
|
|
Not a significant risk in New Zealand. |
| S04 |
Actions taken in response to incidents of corruption. |
|
|
Not a significant risk in New Zealand. |
Public Policy
Anti-Competitive Behavior
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| S07 |
Total number of legal actions for anticompetitive behaviour, anti-trust, and monopoly practices and their outcomes. |
|
|
No legal actions related to anticompetitive behaviour. |
Compliance
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| S08 |
Monetary value of significant fines and total number of non-monetary sanctions for non-compliance with laws and regulations. |
|
|
No fines in the financial year 2006/07 |
Draft Electricity Utility Sector Supplement Indicators
| Element |
SUPPLIERS ARE ADKECD TO SUSTAINABILITY GUIDELINES - EVALUATED |
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| EU25 |
Participatory decision making processes with communities and outcomes of engagement. |
|
Our Environment/ Natural Resource Management |
|
| EU26 |
Percentage of projects which are compliant with IFC performance standards or equivalent. |
|
|
Meridian does not report against these standards. |
| EU27 |
Number of people physically or economically displaced. |
|
|
New generation projects did not lead to displacement of any people. |
| EU28 |
Public Health & Safety. Exposure limit(s) to electric fields (in kV per m) and magnetic fields (in μT) for members of the public and employees in the areas in which reporting organisation operates. |
|
|
Not relevant for public as generation operates in remote areas. Meridian's wind and hyrdro operations produce minimal levels of exposure. If any staff report exposure issues these would be investigated accordingly. |
| EU29 |
Public Health & Safety. Number of injuries and fatalities to the public including diseases involving utility assets. |
|
|
No public injuries reported. |
|
|
Social: Product Responsibility
Customer Health and Safety
| Element |
|
Status |
Report links |
Notes |
| 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. |
|
|
Not relevant in electricity generation. Meridian publishes general electricity safety information on its public website. (Link to page) |
| 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 non-compliance issues. |
Products and Service Labeling
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| PR3 |
Type of product and service information required by procedures, and percentage of significant products and services subject to such information requirements. |
|
Environment/Climate Change/Becoming Carbon Neutral |
|
| 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 non-compliance issues reported. |
| PR5 |
Practices related to customer satisfaction, including results of surveys measuring customer satisfaction. |
|
Our Customers/Delivering Value |
|
Marketing Communications
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| PR6 |
Programs for adherence to laws, standards, and voluntary codes related to marketing communications, including advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. |
|
Our Customers/Delivering Value |
Meridian has detailed sign-off procedures to ensure marketing communications are compliant with all relevant laws and codes. |
| 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. |
|
|
No non-compliance issues. |
Customer Privacy
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| PR8 |
Total number of substantiated complaints regarding breaches of customer privacy and losses of customer data. |
|
|
|
Compliance
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| PR9 |
Monetary value of significant fines for non-compliance with laws and regulations concerning the provision and use of products and services. |
|
|
No fines in the financial year 2006/07 |
Draft Electricity Utility Sector Supplement Indicators
| Element |
|
Status
|
Report links |
Notes |
| EU30 |
Access. Programs, including those in partnership with government, to assist underprivileged, low-income or vulnerable customers to afford electricity connection and consumption. |
|
Our Communities/Community Funds
Our Customers/Supply and Demand
|
|
| EU31 |
Access. Description of flexible billing arrangements, timely reconnection and other practices to assist customers to manage debt and avoid electricity disconnection. |
|
|
Meridian customers disconnected for non-payment, and who subsequently pay their account, have a reconnection request issued immediately. Customer can choose if they want a standard reconnection (4-6 hours), or an urgent reconnection which is completed in 2 hours for urban properties and 4 hours for rural properties. Meridian makes an outbound call to all account holders prior to disconnection. |
| EU32 |
Access. Initiatives to extend electricity services to unserved and underserved communities, particularly in rural or remote areas. |
|
|
Issue considered insignificant in New Zealand. |
| EU33 |
Access. Percentage of population unserved in licensed area of operations, broken down by population in rural areas and urban areas. |
|
|
No population unserved in areas of operation. |
| EU34 |
Access. Average reconnection time for customers disconnected for non-payment. |
|
|
Meridian customers disconnected for non-payment, and who subsequently pay their account, have a reconnection request issued immediately. Customer can choose if they want a standard reconnection (4-6 hours), or an urgent reconnection which is completed in 2 hours for urban properties and 4 hours for rural properties. Meridian does not currently report on average time customers are without power. |
| EU35 |
Access. Number of debt recovery actions and disconnections for non-payment per thousand customers, broken down by type of user. |
|
|
From 1 January 2007 to 30 June 2007 Meridian completed 1337 disconnections. Meridian does not currently report on this for different types of users.
|
| EU36 |
Provision of Information. Practices to address language, cultural, low literacy and disability related barriers to accessing and using electricity services. |
|
|
Meridian does not currently make provisions for language, different cultures or low literacy. Meridian is currently working on a Vulnerable Consumers project to address these issues. |
| EU37 |
Demand-side management programmes including residential, commercial and industrial programmes. |
|
Our Customers/Supply and Demand |
|
| EU38 |
MWh saved through demand-side management programs. |
|
|
We will be reporting on the savings as technology to monitor progress becomes more widespread. |
| EU39 |
Load shedding and load shifting (MW). |
|
|
Meridian uses load shedding and load shifting to reduce volatility in energy prices. |
| EU40 |
Approaches for conducting alternatives analysis of new investments. |
|
Our Customers/Supply and Demand
Our Environment/Natural Resource Management
Chief Executive and Chairman's Review
|
|
| EU41 |
Contingency planning measures and disaster/emergency management plan and training programs. |
|
|
Meridian does not report on disaster/emergency management plans.
|
| EU42 |
Plans to involve the community and to deploy back-up supply and restore power. |
|
|
Meridian customers are advised that power supply can be interrupted for reasons beyond Meridians control.
|
| EU43 |
Number of incidents of non-compliance with regard to contingency standards and inspections. |
|
|
No non-compliance incidents. |
|
|
|
2007 Report Commentary