Key numbers

WPP’s carbon accounts


Detailed emissions breakdown


tonnes of CO2
Emission source 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Scope 1 – stationary combustion            
Natural gas combustion – 6,178 4,537 4,889 7,193 6,891
Heating oil combustion – 1,547 1,400 1,393 2,182 2,073
Total scope 1 emissions 2,479 7,725 5,938 6,282 9,375 8,964
Scope 2 – purchased electricity            
Total purchased electricity (gross) 141,875 121,648 135,658 160,414 156,749 157,161
Less purchases of: renewable electricity1 – (5,038) (20,024) (23,542) (25,011) (23,687)
Scope 2 emissions (net) 141,875 116,611 115,634 136,872 131,738 133,474
Combined scope 1 & 2 emissions (net) 144,354 124,335 121,572 143,154 141,113 142,438
Scope 3 – other indirect emissions            
Air travel 81,733 92,269 89,500 76,073 85,848 98,482
Other indirect emissions2 33,913 32,491 31,661 32,884 34,044 36,138
Total scope 3 emissions 115,646 124,760 121,161 108,957 119,892 134,620
Total CO2 emissions (net) 260,000 249,095 242,733 252,111 261,004 277,058

Carbon intensity


tonnes of CO2 per person
Emission source 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Scope 1 0.03 0.09 0.06 0.06 0.09 0.08
Scope 2 (net) 1.79 1.29 1.21 1.39 1.27 1.17
Scope 3 1.46 1.38 1.27 1.10 1.15 1.18
Total (net) 3.28 2.76 2.54 2.55 2.51 2.44
Percentage change from base year (net) – -16% -22% -22% -23% -26%

Office energy use


megawatt hours
Emission source 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Direct energy use (natural gas and heating oil) – 38,465 29,267 31,090 46,249 44,240
Indirect energy use (purchased electricity) – 234,080 255,663 309,558 304,476 301,171
Total energy use 297,406 272,545 284,930 340,647 350,724 345,411
% of electricity from renewable sources – 5% 16% 16% 16% 16%

1 When calculating our carbon footprint we rate renewable electricity as zero emissions.


2 We add an additional 15% to our carbon footprint to account for unmeasured impacts, such as couriers and taxis.


  • Carbon footprint
    Carbon footprint (tonnes of CO2 per person)
    20062011201220152020
    3.28 2.44 1.80 1.60 1.20

    Our target is to reduce our carbon emissions to 1.2 tonnes per person by 2020, a 63% reduction from our 2006 baseline. In 2011, our carbon footprint per person was 2.44 tonnes, down 3% on 2010 and 26% lower than 2006. See Building a low-carbon Group.


  • Green electricity sourcing
    Green electricity sourcing:
    As % of total electricity purchased, 2011
    CountryRenewable electricity usage, gigawatt hours
    Italy 4.3
    UK 26.3
    Germany 5.4
    Sweden 1.1
    Austria 0.2
    New Zealand 0.2
    Switzerland 0.3
    Norway 0.3
    Peru 0.2
    US 9.6

    Approximately 16% of the total electricity we purchase is generated from renewable sources. It is our intention to increase the percentage of electricity purchased from renewable sources to 20% by 2015. See Renewable electricity.


Worldwide videoconferencing network

  • Paper sourcing
    Paper sourcing
     20112015 target
    Paper with at least 50% post-consumer recycled fibre 35% 65%
    Paper without recycled content 50% 50%

    In 2011, our total paper usage was 9,327 tonnes. Of this 35% contained at least 50% post-consumer recycled fibre. Our target is to source 50% of the paper we use for copying and printing from recycled sources by 2015. See Paper sourcing and use.


  • Waste recycling

    In 2011, WPP companies recycled 5,681 tonnes of waste, up 20% on the previous year. Most of this (83%) was paper and cardboard. See Waste and recycling.


  • Water usage
    Water usage at key locations in areas of water scarcity
     2010201120122015
    Water intensity (m3 per person) 14.7 13.4    
    Water intensity targets     13.2 11.7

    Our water conservation strategy targets our 11 largest locations in areas of water scarcity. We aim to reduce water use per head at these locations by 20% by 2015. See Water use.

  • Offices in areas of water scarcity %
    Offices in areas if water scarcity %
     Percentage
    Little or no water scarcity 80%
    Economic water scarcity 4%
    Approaching physical water scarcity 9%
    Physical water scarcity 7%

    We estimate that 20% of our operations (by floor space) are located in areas of water scarcity. Physical water scarcity is used to define areas where there is not enough water to meet all demands. Economic water scarcity is used to describe areas where it is difficult for populations to access water, for example due to lack of investment in infrastructure. See Water use.


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