2005 saw the launch of eTree, our environmental incentive programme in partnership with the Woodland Trust which aims to encourage shareholders to sign up to electronic communications, receiving documents such as the annual report online. The launch followed the success of the eTree programme in Computershare Australia. Since introducing eTree here, 36 companies have joined the initiative which has resulted in 25 acres of woodland being planted, all adding to the Woodland Trust's overall objective of planting 12 million new trees in total.

For every shareholder who signs up to eTree, Computershare donates £1 to the Woodland Trust’s Tree for All campaign, an exciting national woodland creation campaign combining the planting of trees with educating children about the environment. Companies who sign up to support eTree reduce their carbon footprint, and are also actively committed to replenishing depleted woodland across the UK.

Of course, signing up to eTree is not only beneficial to the environment. Electronic communications can be faster and more cost effective, and are accessible all over the world, wherever you or your shareholders are based. Cutting down on paper use means a reduction in print, postage and mail costs for your company.

To find out more, go to www.etreeuk.com or contact your Relationship Manager.

Case study: J Sainsbury plc

FACTS

J Sainsbury plc (Sainsbury’s) serves 17 million customers each week in 509 supermarkets and 276 convenience stores across the country. Respect for the environment is one of Sainsbury’s five corporate responsibility values and provides the framework for the way they do business.

CRITICAL ACTION

In 2006, Sainsbury’s joined a host of other companies and signed up to eTree, Computershare’s global environmental incentive programme. Partnered with the Woodland Trust, the scheme encouraged Sainsbury’s shareholders to sign up to receive electronic rather than paper based communications, reducing the company’s carbon footprint through reductions in energy and paper consumption. This in turn reduces print and postage cost.

Shareholders are now sent a communication encouraging them to sign up to the programme by registering their email address at the eTree website. As well as the convenience of getting email notification when communications are available online, a key incentive is a £1 donation per sign up from Sainsbury’s to the Woodland Trust’s 'Tree for All' campaign, which aims to give every child in the UK the chance to plant a tree.

RESULTS

To date, over 8,500 shareholders have signed up to eTree, providing enough saplings to enable the Woodland Trust to create 12 acres of new woodland throughout the UK. Sainsbury’s has also made savings in print and mail costs.