SDG13 Archives - SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine https://sustaincase.com/category/sdgs-category/sdg13/ Insights on how you can protect the environment, maintain and increase the value of your company, through a structured CSR/Sustainability process with the use of the GRI Standards. Learn how Today's Best-Run Companies are achieving Economic, Social, and Environmental Success - and How You Can Too... Fri, 20 Oct 2023 10:22:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Case study: How Oriflame reduces its GHG emissions https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-oriflame-reduces-its-ghg-emissions/ Fri, 24 Sep 2021 06:11:38 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=12916 Oriflame is a global beauty company, with a presence in over 60 markets and six production facilities in four countries (Poland, China, Russia and India). , when it started its annual calculation of operational greenhouse gas emissions according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Since then, several initiatives have been implemented to reduce Oriflame’s baseline emissions. This case study is based on the 2019 Sustainability Report by Oriflame  that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts […]

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]]> Oriflame is a global beauty company, with a presence in over 60 markets and six production facilities in four countries (Poland, China, Russia and India). Oriflame has been working to reduce its climate impact since 2010  Tweet This!, when it started its annual calculation of operational greenhouse gas emissions according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Since then, several initiatives have been implemented to reduce Oriflame’s baseline emissions.

This case study is based on the 2019 Sustainability Report by Oriflame  that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

By implementing a company-wide emissions reduction programme in 2010, Oriflame has reduced its absolute emissions by 48% since then. In order to reduce its GHG emissions Oriflame took action to:

  • implement an energy audit programme
  • reduce logistics emissions
  • achieve green building certifications

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Oriflame identified a range of material issues, such as economic and value creation, sustainable sourcing, human rights, sustainable packaging. Among these, reducing its GHG emissions stands out as a key material issue for Oriflame.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Oriflame engages with:

To identify and prioritise material topics Oriflame engaged with its stakeholders through the following channels:

Stakeholder Group                Method of engagement
Employees

 

 

 ·      Employee NPS – quarterly survey collecting information and feedback on important elements of employee satisfaction and experiences

·      CEO Connect – annual live broadcast where employees ask the CEO questions both during and in advance of the event

·      Continuous trainings and feedback, e.g. the Oriflame way

·      Dialogue and sharing through Oriflame’s intranet and internal social media
Consultants

 

 

 

 

 ·      Consultant NPS – permanent feedback from Consultants about experiences and possible improvements

·      Business meetings, trainings, conferences and events

·      Sustainability study – through a web panel collecting information on what Oriflame’s Consultants prioritise most regarding sustainability
Investors

 

 

 

 ·      Meetings/calls with investors

·      Conference calls for the financial community in connection to quarterly reports

·      Attending seminars for the financial community

·      Corporate affairs meetings incl. Direct Selling Association (DSA) meetings

·      Yearly roadshows

·      Responding to ongoing investor questions and data reporting requests
Consumers

 

 

 

 ·      Consumer research, primarily product focused

·      Consumer surveys, sometimes including Oriflame Consultants in their role as consumers

·      Oriflame Brand Image Index, OBII (Annual)
Suppliers

 

 

 

 ·      Regular meetings/site visits with Oriflame teams regarding purchasing, packaging etc.

·      Regular sustainability site audits

·      Supplier self-assessment survey
NGOs

 

 ·      One-on-one meetings discussing both general strategy and more specific topics

·      Discussions at industry events
Society

 

 

 ·      Participation in industry initiatives and standardisation bodies

·      Community involvement, including Oriflame Foundation initiatives

·      Participation in conferences and events

What actions were taken by Oriflame to reduce its GHG emissions?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Oriflame reports that it took the following actions for reducing its GHG emissions:

  • Implementing an energy audit programme
  • Oriflame implemented an energy audit programme at its factories and offices in 2011 and has, since then, annually conducted energy audits with a focus on environmental sustainability, including energy efficiency, water consumption and waste. The results have helped Oriflame identify areas of improvements and establish energy saving programmes.
  • Reducing logistics emissions
  • Oriflame has developed a logistics programme to gradually consolidate local warehouses and move its product sourcing, catalogue printing and Global Distribution Centres closer to its major markets. Since 2010, Oriflame has reduced its emissions from global logistics transportation by 20% per pallet shipped. Oriflame is continuously reviewing packaging and loading routines to fit more into each truck and container. When selecting road carriers, a minimum 85% of the substituted equipment should meet the environmental standard Euro 4, Euro 5 or Euro 6.
  • Achieving green building certifications
  • Oriflame seeks to certify all its new construction and major renovations. In 2015, Oriflame built two new manufacturing sites in Noginsk, Russia and Roorkee, India with LEED® certifications. LEED® is a green building certification recognising best-in-class sustainable building practices. The following year, Oriflame’s main office in Moscow was BREEAM certified – another green building certification that helps drive sustainable improvements through operational efficiency. Oriflame’s factories in Russia and Poland are annually assessed by EcoVadis – a scorecard to assess environmental, social and ethical risks. In the last two years, Oriflame received gold certification, the highest score, for both sites and its factory in Poland was placed among the top 5% of companies assessed by EcoVadis.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 305-1 Direct (Scope 1) GHG emissions

2) Disclosure 305-2 Energy indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions

3) Disclosure 305-3 Other indirect (Scope 3) GHG emissions

4) Disclosure 305-4 GHG emissions intensity

5) Disclosure 305-5 Reduction of GHG emissions

 

Disclosure 305-1 Direct (Scope 1) GHG emissions corresponds to:

Disclosure 305-2 Energy indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions corresponds to:

Disclosure 305-3 Other indirect (Scope 3) GHG emissions corresponds to:

Disclosure 305-4 GHG emissions intensity corresponds to:

Disclosure 305-5 Reduction of GHG emissions corresponds to:

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
 

References:

1) This case study is based on published information by Oriflame, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original at the link:

https://investors.oriflame.com/sites/default/files/media/Oriflame_2019_Sustainability_Report.pdf

Note to Oriflame: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How Oriflame reduces its GHG emissions appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How Toyota Material Handling Europe reduces energy use in its operations https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-toyota-material-handling-europe-reduces-energy-use-in-its-operations/ Fri, 23 Apr 2021 06:06:28 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=12471 Toyota Material Handling Europe operates in 42 counties and is part of Toyota Industries Europe AB Group, a fully owned subsidiary of Toyota Industries Corporation, the world’s number one in material handling since 2001. Toyota Material Handling Europe believes that by reducing energy use in its operations it can better serve its customers with products and solutions making them improve their energy efficiency and CO2 emissions, which is also a priority for them. This case study is based on the 2019 Sustainability Report by Toyota Material Handling Europe published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found […]

The post Case study: How Toyota Material Handling Europe reduces energy use in its operations appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Toyota Material Handling Europe operates in 42 counties and is part of Toyota Industries Europe AB Group, a fully owned subsidiary of Toyota Industries Corporation, the world’s number one in material handling since 2001. Toyota Material Handling Europe believes that by reducing energy use in its operations it can better serve its customers with products and solutions making them improve their energy efficiency and CO2 emissions, which is also a priority for them.

This case study is based on the 2019 Sustainability Report by Toyota Material Handling Europe published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

Since it started its energy reductions programme in 2015, Toyota Material Handling Europe has counted 146 energy saving actions  Tweet This! completed locally across Europe, saving over 2.2 million EUR annually. In order to reduce energy use in its operations Toyota Material Handling Europe took action to:

  • reduce fleet fuel consumption
  • decrease fuel use in buildings and factories

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Toyota Material Handling Europe identified a range of material issues, such as attracting and retaining talent, compliance, customer safety, responsible purchasing. Among these, reducing energy use in its operations stands out as a key material issue for Toyota Material Handling Europe.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Toyota Material Handling Europe engages with: 

Stakeholder Group
Employees
Prospective employees
Students
Customers
Suppliers
Distributors
Toyota Industries and its group companies
Local communities
Public authorities
European Works Council

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics Toyota Material Handling Europe engaged, through surveys, with 34 internal stakeholders (including leaders and decision makers across Toyota Material Handling Europe) and 22 external stakeholders who included industry associations, a civil society agency, an external consultant, an auditor, Toyota Material Handling Europe’s owner, a daughter and sister company, academia, media, a local government representative, a worker that was not an employee, and several suppliers and customers.

What actions were taken by Toyota Material Handling Europe to reduce energy use in its operations?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Toyota Material Handling Europe reports that it took the following actions for reducing energy use in its operations:

  • Reducing fleet fuel consumption
  • In FY15, Toyota Material Handling Europe launched its green company car guideline, moving to more hybrid company cars and reduced fleet fuel consumption. Since FY12, the share of diesel in Toyota Material Handling Europe’s fuel mix for company cars and service vans has been reduced from 89% to 70%. With four million service visits per year, 60% of Toyota Material Handling Europe’s fuel use and 29% of its total energy use comes from fuel for service vans. By carrying about 20% less weight, getting smaller service vans, using GPS and eco-driving, Toyota Material Handling Europe uses less fuel and reduces CO2 emissions.
  • Decreasing fuel use in buildings and factories
  • Toyota Material Handling Europe’s factories in Italy and its company in the Czech Republic have achieved ISO 50001, and its company in the Netherlands achieved significant CO2 reductions. These entities continue to act as centres of excellence in energy management. Another factory (France) and two sales and service companies will become ISO 50001 certified in FY21. In FY19, Toyota Material Handling Manufacturing Sweden started to switch to liquefied biogas (LBG) and so reduce the total CO2 output from Toyota Material Handling by more than 5% through one single project. Two customer demo sites for solar charging have also been launched in Toyota Material Handling Europe’s premises:
    • On the Toyota Material Handling Netherlands campus in Ede, energy from solar panels is fed via solar charging stations to electric material handling equipment.
    • Lift Truck Equipment S.p.A. (LTE), Toyota Material Handling Europe’s mast manufacturing company in Italy, installed a hydrogen station in May 2017, producing hydrogen from renewable electricity generated by the company’s solar panels (140 kW). The hydrogen is filled to the company’s fuel cell lift trucks – developed by Toyota Industries Corporation – to contribute to CO2 reduction.
  • Due to their commitment to energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies, both entities have already met their 2020 energy and CO2 targets. In FY16, Toyota Material Handling Europe’s sustainability champions visited Toyota Material Handling Netherlands and in FY18 its Lift Truck Equipment factory (LTE) in Ferrara, Italy in order for Toyota Material Handling Europe’s experts to learn from their best practice experience.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standard addressed in this case is: Disclosure 302-4 Reduction of energy consumption

Disclosure 302-4 Reduction of energy consumption corresponds to:

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

1) This case study is based on published information by Toyota Material Handling Europe, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to Toyota Material Handling Europe: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How Toyota Material Handling Europe reduces energy use in its operations appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How Canada Post reduces the carbon intensity of its fleet https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-canada-post-reduces-the-carbon-intensity-of-its-fleet/ Fri, 16 Oct 2020 06:07:32 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=11524 With 65,000 full-time and part-time employees, more than 22,000 delivery routes and over 16.5 million addresses served in urban, rural and remote locations across Canada, Canada Post is the primary postal operator in Canada. that will help both Canada Post and Canadians transition to a low-carbon future. This case study is based on the 2019 Sustainability Report by Canada Post published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts […]

The post Case study: How Canada Post reduces the carbon intensity of its fleet appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> With 65,000 full-time and part-time employees, more than 22,000 delivery routes and over 16.5 million addresses served in urban, rural and remote locations across Canada, Canada Post is the primary postal operator in Canada. In 2019, Canada Post’s corporate fleet accounted for 13% of its total carbon footprint. Reducing the carbon intensity of Canada Post’s owned fleet over the coming years is, thus, a key strategic priority  Tweet This! that will help both Canada Post and Canadians transition to a low-carbon future.

This case study is based on the 2019 Sustainability Report by Canada Post published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

As Canada Post renews and grows its fleet to meet Canadians’ changing needs it is exploring all forms of alternative propulsion on the market, including zero-emission vehicles where clean electricity allows Canada Post to maximise carbon reductions across its direct and indirect electricity emissions. In order to reduce the carbon intensity of its fleet Canada Post took action to:

  • introduce hybrid vehicles
  • use zero-emission vehicles

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Canada Post identified a range of material issues, such as responsible investment and procurement, sustainable products and services, operational safety, employee engagement, climate action. Among these, reducing the carbon intensity of its fleet stands out as a key material issue for Canada Post.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Canada Post engages with:

Stakeholder Group
Employees
Unions
Customers
Shareholder
Suppliers
Government
Nongovernmental organisations

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics Canada Post engaged and consulted various stakeholders on a comprehensive list of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) topics. Senior management also received advice and feedback from ongoing stakeholder consultation with joint union committees as well as external subject matter experts, which included non-profit organisations and an advisory panel of Canadian accessibility leaders.

What actions were taken by Canada Post to reduce the carbon intensity of its fleet?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Canada Post reports that it took the following actions for reducing the carbon intensity of its fleet:

  • Introducing hybrid vehicles
  • Canada Post began introducing hybrid-electric (HEV) step vans in 2003 and progressively rolled out more over the past two decades. In 2019, Canada Post was the first Canadian company to employ at a large scale hybrid electric upfits to Ford Transit light delivery vehicles. In 2019, Canada Post deployed 374 hybrid-electric vehicles nationally, its largest purchase of alternative propulsion vehicles to date. Most of these replaced less efficient end-of-life cargo vans. Canada Post also began to purchase plug-in hybrid electric cars (PHEVs) for administrative uses. As Canada Post is continually evaluating ways to green its fleet at scale, hybrid-electric technology offers several benefits, including easy deployment across Canada in urban and remote communities alike. In 2020, Canada Post will be purchasing another 500 hybrid delivery vehicles, which are 20% more fuel and carbon-efficient than their traditional gasoline counterparts.
  • Using zero-emission vehicles
  • In 2011, in Vancouver and Ottawa, Canada Post piloted 10 fully battery electric vehicles (BEV) Transit Connects, and four battery electric eStar vans. However, these BEVs have since reached the end of their useful life and have been retired from Canada Post’s fleet. In 2020, Canada Post will invest $2.5 million in new models of zero emission delivery vehicles and charging infrastructure, as part of a pilot to inform future fleet renewal strategies. The vehicles purchased will be a mix of electric straight trucks, shunt trucks, full size vans and step vans. They will be deployed in provinces with the greenest electricity grids to test equipment reliability in a range of Canadian postal applications.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standard addressed in this case is: Disclosure 305-1 Direct (Scope 1) GHG emissions

Disclosure 305-1 Direct (Scope 1) GHG emissions corresponds to:

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

1) This case study is based on published information by Canada Post, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to Canada Post: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How Canada Post reduces the carbon intensity of its fleet appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How FCOT minimises energy consumption and GHG emissions at its properties https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-fcot-minimises-energy-consumption-and-ghg-emissions-at-its-properties/ Wed, 19 Aug 2020 09:19:59 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=11305 Frasers Commercial Trust (FCOT) is a real estate investment trust with a diversified portfolio of six high quality and well-located properties in Singapore, Australia and the UK, comprising four office developments, one business space property and a business park. This case study is based on the 2019 Annual Report by FCOT published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) […]

The post Case study: How FCOT minimises energy consumption and GHG emissions at its properties appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]>

Frasers Commercial Trust (FCOT) is a real estate investment trust with a diversified portfolio of six high quality and well-located properties in Singapore, Australia and the UK, comprising four office developments, one business space property and a business park. FCOT seeks to minimise energy consumption and GHG emissions at its properties, in contribution to global efforts towards mitigating climate change.  Tweet This!

This case study is based on the 2019 Annual Report by FCOT published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

As properties rely heavily on electricity to operate, enhancing energy efficiency helps FCOT to reduce resources consumption and operating costs. Renewable energy is also used, where possible. In order to minimise energy consumption and GHG emissions at its properties FCOT took action to:

  • recommission and upgrade lightings at Central Park
  • implement sustainable management at China Square Central
  • reduce energy consumption at 357 Collins Street through improvements in the mechanical plant
  • use renewable energy
  • attain ISO 50001:2011 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications to boost energy performance

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2019 Annual Report FCOT identified a range of material issues, such as economic performance, anti-corruption, marketing and labelling, employment, training and education, labour/management relations. Among these, minimising energy consumption and GHG emissions at its properties stands out as a key material issue for FCOT.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups FCOT engages with:

Stakeholder Group                Method of engagement
Tenants

 

 ·      Tenant engagement programmes

·      Joint community programmes with tenants

·      Tenant surveys

·      Tenant meetings
Employees

 

 

 

 ·      Performance appraisals

·      Team bonding activities

·      Orientation programme for new staff

·      Communication via the Frasers Property intranet and Workplace

·      Training

·      Company and employee activities such as Annual Dinner & Dance, Family Day, sports events and fitness programmes
Property managers ·      Regular meetings and discussions

·      Emails and phone calls
Unitholders and investor community

 

 

 

 

 ·      Local and overseas investor meetings, conferences, roadshows and property tours

·      Post-results briefings for analysts and investors

·      Annual General Meetings

·      Website, announcements, management presentations, press releases, webcasts of half-year and full-year results briefings
Local community

 

 ·      Social and community events and activities

·      Sustainability report
Regulators and industry bodies

 

 

 ·      Meetings, briefings and consultations

·      Industry conferences and seminars and memberships in industry bodies such as REITAS (FCOT is one of the pioneer members)

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics FCOT carried out a survey with internal and external stakeholders.

What actions were taken by FCOT to minimise energy consumption and GHG emissions at its properties?

In its 2019 Annual Report FCOT reports that it took the following actions for minimising energy consumption and GHG emissions at its properties:

  • Recommissioning and upgrading lightings at Central Park
  • Approximately 70% of the building’s mechanical controls have been recommissioned in the past four years, which has resulted in energy savings and a more comfortable environment for tenants. Recommissioning is one of the most efficient ways to improve the building’s energy performance, as it optimises energy efficiency, building operations and peak building energy demand management. Over the past four years, the lighting system on the tower floors has been upgraded to T5 fluorescent lights or light-emitting diode (LED) lights, which has reduced lighting energy use from 13.2 watts/ sq m to 5 watts/ sq m (a savings of 62.1%). An automatic lighting control system utilising motion sensor has also been installed.
  • Implementing sustainable management at China Square Central
  • At China Square Central, the usage of a water-cooled chiller plant system designed with energy efficient chillers, variable speed drives (VSD) driven chilled water pumps and tower fans has resulted in energy savings of around 503,000 kWh per annum. The savings are a significant 23% over and above the baseline stated in BCA Green Mark requirements. Additionally, LED and T5 lights and motion sensors installed at common areas resulted in substantial energy savings of approximately 165,000 kWh per annum and achieved a 62.9% improvement over the benchmarked lighting power budget of the BCA Green Mark requirements. China Square Central also uses sustainable materials and products certified under the Singapore Green Labelled Scheme (SGLS) or Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC) extensively to provide a healthier environment for occupants. Sustainable materials and products used include ceiling boards, drywall partitions, wooden door panels, concrete walls, floor screeds, eco-friendly cleaning products, sustainable toilet rolls and paper hand towels.
  • Reducing energy consumption at 357 Collins Street through improvements in the mechanical plant
  • Close monitoring and proactive improvements to the property’s mechanical chiller plant resulted in a year-on-year reduction in consumption of around 111 mWh or 10.2% in FY2019. The water chiller temperature was also fine-tuned to approximately 1°C. The plant is one of the biggest consumers of electricity in the building. Adjusting the control valves ensures correct staging of the chiller system to maintain high efficiencies.
  • Using renewable energy
  • FCOT uses renewable energy across its properties, as follows:
    • Central Park: The installation of a solar photovoltaic system generated around 10,000 kWh from solar power in FY2019, providing sufficient renewable energy to power the management office of Central Park.
    • 357 Collins Street: About 20% of the power used in FY2019 was from green power sources which were predominantly generated by wind farms.
    • Farnborough Business Park:
      • Renewable energy: The multi-let buildings in the business park purchased 100% of their energy requirements from renewable sources in FY2019.
      • Promoting green travels: The business park provides comprehensive end-of-trip facilities, bicycle paths throughout the business park and electric vehicle charging stations for both tenants and visitors. In FY2019, two more electric vehicle charging stations were added. The business park’s shuttle busses have low-emission Euro 5 engines which are more environmentally friendly.
  • Attaining ISO 50001:2011 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications to boost energy performance
  • In FY2019, the environment management systems (EMS) of both properties in Singapore attained ISO 50001:2011 certifications (Energy Management System), in addition to their existing ISO 14001:2015 certifications (Environmental Management System). These certifications are internationally recognised standards for strategic and systematic EMS implementation with proven energy and cost savings. These standards enable and empower the property managers to identify and harness energy-saving opportunities as they materialise. By continuously monitoring and improving energy efficiency, the properties are able to achieve continuous energy savings.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 302-1 Energy consumption within the organization

2) Disclosure 302-3 Energy intensity

3) Disclosure 305-2 Energy indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions

4) Disclosure 305-4 GHG emissions intensity

 

Disclosure 302-1 Energy consumption within the organization corresponds to:

Disclosure 302-3 Energy intensity corresponds to:

Disclosure 305-2 Energy indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions corresponds to:

Disclosure 305-4 GHG emissions intensity corresponds to:

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

1) This case study is based on published information by FCOT, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to FCOT: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How FCOT minimises energy consumption and GHG emissions at its properties appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How Vale reduces its particulate matter and SOx emissions https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-vale-reduces-its-particulate-matter-and-sox-emissions/ Fri, 10 Jul 2020 06:23:51 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=10997 Vale S.A. is a global leader in iron ore and iron ore and nickel pellets operating in 27 countries on five continents, producing manganese, iron-alloys, copper, platinum group metals (PGMs), gold, silver, cobalt, and metallurgical and thermal coal. Vale seeks to continuously improve operational processes and adopt new technologies, so as to reduce emissions from stationary sources and improve air quality indicators. This case study is based on the 2018 Sustainability Report by Vale published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ […]

The post Case study: How Vale reduces its particulate matter and SOx emissions appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Vale S.A. is a global leader in iron ore and iron ore and nickel pellets operating in 27 countries on five continents, producing manganese, iron-alloys, copper, platinum group metals (PGMs), gold, silver, cobalt, and metallurgical and thermal coal. Vale seeks to continuously improve operational processes and adopt new technologies, so as to reduce emissions from stationary sources and improve air quality indicators.

This case study is based on the 2018 Sustainability Report by Vale published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

Vale works to reduce diffuse emissions in its operating units  Tweet This! by adopting measures such as improving sprinkler systems and using dust suppressor products, also maintaining air quality monitoring stations in the vicinity of operating units. In order to reduce its particulate matter and SOx emissions Vale took action to:

  • develop and patent a biodegradable dust suppressor product
  • sign a new Environmental Commitment Term
  • complete the Clean AER Project

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2018 Sustainability Report Vale identified a range of material issues, such as labour health and safety, impacts on and investments in the local community, water resources and effluents, biodiversity and ecosystem services. Among these, reducing its particulate matter and SOx emissions stands out as a key material issue for Vale.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Vale engages with:

Stakeholder Group                Method of engagement
Shareholders, debenture holders and investors

 

 

 ·      20-F Report, press releases, call notices and AGM/EGM meeting minutes, quarterly reports, reference forms

·       www.vale.com Portal

·      Visits to operations

·      E-mail

·      Telephone

·      Ombudsman

·      Investor relations department at www.vale.com

·      App for Ipad – Vale Investors & Media – App Store

·      Conference call

·      Participation at conferences, forums and debates

·      Pressroom
Clients

 

 

 

 ·      20-F Report, press releases, call notices and AGM/EGM meeting minutes, quarterly reports, reference forms

·      www.vale.com Portal

·      Visits to operations

·      Ombudsman

·      Satisfaction surveys

·      Contact us

·      Structured meetings and collaboration workshops

·      Conference call

·      Telephones and e-mails

·      Participation at conferences, forums and debates
Employees

 

 

 ·      20-F Report, press releases, call notices and AGM/EGM meeting minutes, quarterly reports, reference forms

·      www.vale.com Portal

·      Ombudsman

·      Contact us

·      Electronics newsletters of communication with employees

·      Intranet

·      Global Employee Survey

·      Communication Committee

·      Social Networks

·      Structured meetings and collaboration workshops

·      Conference call

·      Telephones and e-mails

·      Participation at conferences, forums and debates

·      Press Interview

·      Conversation circles
Suppliers

 

 

 ·      20-F Report, press releases, call notices and AGM/EGM meeting minutes, quarterly reports, reference forms

·      www.vale.com Portal

·      Visits to operations

·      Ombudsman

·      Satisfaction surveys

·      Contact us

·      Social Networks

·      Structured meetings and collaboration workshops

·      Vale Supplier Portal (Nimbi platform)

·      Vale Procurement Global Services

·      Conference call

·      Telephones and e-mails

·      Supplier area on www.vale.com

·      Public hearings

·      Contact with Community Relations team

·      Contact with other areas

·      Participation in associations and entities

·      Participation at conferences, forums and debates

·      Press Interview

·      Webcast

·      Conversation circles
Communities

 

 

 ·      20-F Report, press releases, call notices and AGM/EGM meeting minutes, quarterly reports, reference forms

·      www.vale.com Portal

·      Visits to operations

·      Ombudsman

·      Contact us

·      Social Networks

·      Structured meetings and collaboration workshops

·      Telephones and e-mails

·      Committees for communication inter-change

·      Socio-economic diagnoses

·      Public hearings

·      Social dialogue process

·      Leadership Meeting Programme

·      External disclosures – News

·      Alô Ferrovias (railway hotline)

·      Contact with Community Relations team

·      Participation in associations and entities

·      Participation at conferences, forums and debates

·      Webcast

·      Conversation circles
Government & civil society ·      20-F Report, press releases, call notices and AGM/EGM meeting minutes, quarterly reports, reference forms

·      www.vale.com Portal

·      Visits to operations

·      Ombudsman

·      Structured meetings and collaboration workshops

·      Vale Supplier Portal (Nimbi platform)

·      Conference call

·      Telephones and e-mails

·      Socio-economic diagnoses

·      Public hearings

·      Leadership Meeting Programme

·      External disclosures – News

·      Contact with Community Relations team

·      Participation in associations and entities

·      Participation at conferences, forums and debates

·      Press Interview
Press

 

 ·      20-F Report, press releases, call notices and AGM/EGM meeting minutes, quarterly reports, reference forms

·      www.vale.com Portal

·      Visits to operations

·      Ombudsman

·      App for Ipad – Vale Investors & Media – App Store

·      Structured meetings and collaboration workshops

·      Vale Supplier Portal (Nimbi platform)

·      Conference call

·      Telephones and e-mails

·      Participation at conferences, forums and debates

·      Press Interview

·      Pressroom

·      Webcast

·      Visits to the newsroom

·      Conversation circles

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics Vale carried out a series of consultations with internal and external stakeholders – clients, suppliers, representatives from government and national and international entities, academics, class and community associations, NGOs, journalists, shareholders, and employees – through online surveys and face-to-face and telephone interviews.

What actions were taken by Vale to reduce its particulate matter and SOx emissions?

In its 2018 Sustainability Report Vale reports that it took the following actions for reducing its particulate matter and SOx emissions:

  • Developing and patenting a biodegradable dust suppressor product
  • In 2018, in partnership with the Espírito Santo Federal University (UFES in Portuguese), Vale developed and patented a biodegradable dust suppressor product. This resin is produced by chemically recycling PET-based waste and has a characteristic sealant that maintains moisture in stockpiled material, railroad wagons and unpaved roads. The product has already been laboratory-tested under adverse conditions and field-tested to validate its efficiency and quality assurance. This initiative and technology will help Vale reduce its particulate matter emissions, improving air quality in surrounding communities and, in addition to the environmental benefits, there is the social gain of involving associations of local collectors to foment plastic waste recycling, making businesses more sustainable.
  • Signing a new Environmental Commitment Term
  • In 2018 Vale signed a new Environmental Commitment Term (TCA in Portuguese) to reduce particulate matter emissions at the Tubarão operational unit in Vitória, Espírito Santo. The Term signature involved the Federal Public Ministry, State Public Ministry, State Secretariat for the Environment and State Environmental Institute and aimed to ensure transparency in implementing all initiatives presented by the Environmental Master Plan. The Environmental Master Plan consists of implementing actions and projects to reduce particulate matter emissions and improve the unit’s water management. Highlights of the controls include applying cellulose-based products in ore piles, implementing new wind fences, adjusting approximately 40 km of conveyor belts, and installing fog cannons in pellet yards. The expectation is that, by the year 2023 when Vale completes the implementation of all these measures, diffuse emissions will be reduced by up to 93%. Vale’s investments total US$ 348 million, currently the largest contribution Vale has made toward environmental stewardship.
  • Completing the Clean AER Project
  • At its Sudbury unit in Canada Vale completed the Clean AER Project, in which a total of US$ 1 billion has been invested since 2012. The project reduced 85% of SOx (Sulfur oxides) emissions from the foundry at Copper Cliff and greenhouse gas emissions from Vale’s smelter by 40%. These emission reductions reflect Vale’s position to provide resources to improve controls and environmental management to help recover the local landscape. The Clean AER Project has reduced emissions so significantly, that there is no need to continue using the existing large iconic chimney known as the Superstack, which has been replaced by two smaller, more efficient chimneys. With this adjustment, natural gas consumption is expected to decrease by approximately 50%. The Clean AER Project also involves installing new converters at the smelter, a new wet gas treatment plant and a new ventilation and bag filter system, which will cut particulate emissions from metals by approximately 40%. Vale also maintains a policy of improving its operational processes and control systems and increasing productivity, aiming to adopt fuels with lower sulfur contents, reducing SOx emissions by 60% compared to 2016.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standard addressed in this case is: Disclosure 305-7 Nitrogen oxides (NOX), sulfur oxides (SOX), and other significant air emissions

Disclosure 305-7 Nitrogen oxides (NOX), sulfur oxides (SOX), and other significant air emissions corresponds to:

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

1) This case study is based on published information by Vale, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to Vale: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How Vale reduces its particulate matter and SOx emissions appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> First GRI Sector Standard one step closer as public comment period starts https://sustaincase.com/first-gri-sector-standard-one-step-closer-as-public-comment-period-starts/ Wed, 08 Jul 2020 08:55:57 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=11512 A 90-day public comment period has been launched for the draft GRI Oil and Gas Sector Standard, with input invited from around the world. The Standard identifies reporting across the 22 most critical sustainability topics for organizations with oil and gas activities – covering climate change, the environment, health and safety, employment, communities, and governance. Oil and gas is a pilot project for the development of GRI Sector Standards. This new addition to the GRI Standards will support organizations in high-impact sectors to identify and address their external impacts, empowering engagement with stakeholders and bringing consistency in how sectors report […]

The post First GRI Sector Standard one step closer as public comment period starts appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> A proposed sustainability reporting standard for oil and gas companies identifies climate change as the single biggest challenge facing the sector.  Tweet This!

A 90-day public comment period has been launched for the draft GRI Oil and Gas Sector Standard, with input invited from around the world. The Standard identifies reporting across the 22 most critical sustainability topics for organizations with oil and gas activities – covering climate change, the environment, health and safety, employment, communities, and governance.

Oil and gas is a pilot project for the development of GRI Sector Standards. This new addition to the GRI Standards will support organizations in high-impact sectors to identify and address their external impacts, empowering engagement with stakeholders and bringing consistency in how sectors report on sustainable development concerns.

The Oil and Gas Sector Standard has been developed by an expert project working group (PWG) appointed by the Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB), the independent body responsible for setting the GRI Standards.

Judy Kuszewski, chair of the GSSB, said:

“The GRI Sector Program is about helping organizations to increase transparency by focusing reporting on the sustainability issues that matter most within sectors. For oil and gas companies, responding to concerns about their climate change impacts is at the center of the shared challenges they face.

Our Oil and Gas Sector Standard seeks to provide a framework for any organization in the sector to disclose their sustainability risks in line with global best practice, responding to the information needs of stakeholders. I would encourage all interested parties to help us achieve this aim by reviewing the exposure draft and providing feedback.”

Alexandra Russell is Vice President of Strategy, Policy and Sustainability for energy company Sasol, and a PWG member. She said:

“With the momentum to replace fossil fuels ever increasing, oil and gas firms need to expand their focus beyond short-term issues. The GRI Oil and Gas Sector Standard will help such companies provide feedback to their stakeholders on the impacts they continue to have while navigating their role in this energy transition. Importantly, the factors that this Standard encourage reporting firms to consider can support them in developing opportunities and a business case for change.”

Matt Jones, Head of Business and Biodiversity, UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, is also on the PWG. He added:

“Responsible businesses should be a powerful force for change in the world. Holding business to account relies on accurate measurement and transparent reporting, using clear and consistent indicators. Every sector is different, so this new GRI Sector Standard aims to make sure oil and gas companies can communicate the right information on the right issues to their stakeholders. This public comment period is a vital opportunity for stakeholders to play a role in shaping the development of this Sector Standard.”

The public comment period for the Sector Standard: Oil and Gas exposure draft is open from 8 July until 6 October 2020. GRI is seeking feedback on the completeness and relevance of the oil and gas content, and the value and feasibility of the Sector Standards approach.

The Oil and Gas Sector Standard pilot project will shape the future development of the GRI Sector Program, with plans to cover more than 40 high-impact sectors. The program seeks to address inconsistent reporting, offer clarity by describing a sector’s most significant impacts, and assist companies in identifying material topics and what to report for each.

The draft Standard specifies four topics not currently addressed through GRI Topic Standards: asset integrity and process safety; climate resilience and transition; closure and decommissioning; land use and resettlement.

Originally, this Standard was proposed to cover oil, gas and coal. On the advice of the multi-stakeholder project working group, coal is being developed as a separate Sector Standard. A Sector Standard pilot is also currently underway for agriculture and fishing.

Download the GRI Sector Standard: Oil and Gas exposure draft

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

FBRH GRI Standards Certified & ISEP recognised Sustainability Course | Venue: London LSE

By registering for the next 2-day FBRH GRI Standards Certified & ISEP recognised course you will be taking the first step in gaining the many benefits of sustainability reporting.

Most importantly, you will gain the knowledge to use the GRI Standards, project manage your own first-class sustainability report and:

  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and Society
  • Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP

 

References:

This article is based on published information by GRI. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the publication’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original please revert to the following link:

https://www.globalreporting.org/information/news-and-press-center/Pages/Transparency-on-oil-and-gas-sector-impacts.aspx

The post First GRI Sector Standard one step closer as public comment period starts appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How Mazda reduces logistics emissions https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-mazda-reduces-logistics-emissions/ Tue, 28 Jan 2020 07:57:12 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=10225 Mazda is a leading global automaker, with vehicles sold in more than 130 countries and regions worldwide and manufacturing operations in seven. Viewing environmental protection as an urgent issue for humanity, and the highest priority issue facing automakers, Mazda is working with logistics companies, dealerships, and other automakers throughout Japan to provide customers with the volume they require while reducing CO2 emissions during product shipment through highly efficient logistics, across the entire supply chain. This case study is based on the 2018 Sustainability Report by Mazda published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this […]

The post Case study: How Mazda reduces logistics emissions appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Mazda is a leading global automaker, with vehicles sold in more than 130 countries and regions worldwide and manufacturing operations in seven. Viewing environmental protection as an urgent issue for humanity, and the highest priority issue facing automakers, Mazda is working with logistics companies, dealerships, and other automakers throughout Japan to provide customers with the volume they require while reducing CO2 emissions during product shipment through highly efficient logistics, across the entire supply chain.

This case study is based on the 2018 Sustainability Report by Mazda published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

Mazda is making efforts to reduce environmental impact throughout the entire product life cycle  Tweet This! and has achieved, in FY March 2018, a 41% reduction in transportation CO2 emissions per ton-kilometre (compared with FY March 1991 levels). In order to reduce logistics emissions Mazda took action to:

  • reform transportation by consolidating logistics centres
  • improve the ratio of modal shift for the transportation of service parts
  • promote “straight” logistics without distribution centres
  • reduce the transportation distance for procured parts for overseas production
  • reduce the transportation distance for repair parts
  • improve transportation efficiency for procured parts

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2018 Sustainability Report Mazda identified a range of material issues, such as indirect economic impacts, effluents and waste, occupational health and safety, diversity and equal opportunity. Among these, reducing logistics emissions stands out as a key material issue for Mazda.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Mazda engages with: 

Stakeholder Group                Method of engagement
Customers

 

 

 ·      Establishment of call centres

·      Mazda Official Website and social media

·      Day-to-day sales activities

·      Customer satisfaction surveys

·      Holding events

·      Interviews with customers

·      Meetings with Mazda vehicle owners
Shareholders and investors ·      Website for shareholders and investors

·      Publication of the asset securities report and the quarterly financial reports

·      Publication of the summary of financial results

·      Quarterly presentation of financial results

·      Publication of shareholder reports

·      Holding ordinary general meetings of shareholders

·      Publication of the Annual Report

·      Publication of corporate governance reports

·      Presentations and plant tours for investors
Business partners ·      Hotlines linking Mazda with dealerships

·      Day-to-day purchasing activities

·      Supplier communication meetings

·      Conferences with representatives of dealerships

·      Conferences with supplier executives

·      Commendation of outstanding suppliers and dealerships
Employees ·      Labour-Management Council

·      Direct communication with senior management (MBLD)

·      Global Employee Engagement Survey

·      Career meetings

·      Career Challenge System (in-house recruitment and “Free Agent”)

·      Group and optional training

·      Lectures
Global society and local communities

 

 ·      Opening to the public of the Mazda Museum and plant tours

·      Execution of social contribution activities and participation in and promotion of volunteer activities

·      Dialogue through economic and industry organisations

·      Interaction/exchange of views with the local community

·      Response to hearings, information disclosure, etc.

·      Dialogue, cooperation and support through collaboration of industry, academia and government
Next generation people (environment)

 

 ·      Holding and participating in environmental events

·      Setting targets and reporting the results under Mazda Green Plan 2020, midterm environmental plan

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics Mazda engaged with its stakeholders through a questionnaire survey, obtaining their opinions and evaluations.

What actions were taken by Mazda to reduce logistics emissions?

In its 2018 Sustainability Report Mazda reports that it took the following actions for reducing logistics emissions:

  • Reforming transportation by consolidating logistics centres
  • Mazda consolidated its logistics centres nationwide, with the aim of combining delivery routes with low shipping volumes while ensuring timely shipments. Continuously reviewing the operation of car carriers (domestic vessels) according to their shipping volumes has enabled Mazda to improve loading efficiency. To make more effective use of the domestic vessels on the return journey, collaborative transportation has also been promoted with other companies. In February 2016, Mazda started the operation of a new domestic vessel and in May of the same year existing vessels were modified, resulting in a 30% improvement in transportation capacity. In FY March 2018, Mazda reduced CO2 emissions by around 3,800 tons, by enhancing fuel economy as well as transportation capacity through full-fledged operations of these domestic vessels. Moreover, by loading completed vehicles into ships as directly as possible from their manufacturing sites, Mazda succeeded in curbing around 17 tons of CO2 emissions.
  • Improving the ratio of modal shift for the transportation of service parts
  • Mazda is seeking to improve the rate of modal shift regarding the transportation of service parts and, in May 2016, started to use large returnable containers, originally introduced to transport parts overseas, for domestic transportation. This was aimed at reducing transportation CO2 emissions by improving the load efficiency of JR (JapanRail) In FY March 2018, Mazda promoted the use of JR for domestic transportation, in accordance with the relocation of parts sales companies beginning in FY March 2016. As a result, Mazda increased the rate of transportation by JR from 25% to 45% per transportation volume (ton-kilometre), reducing CO2 emissions by around 400 tons.
  • Promoting “straight” logistics without distribution centres
  • After the manufacture of parts to be exported to overseas assembly plants is completed, they are packaged and loaded into containers at the same location, eliminating the need for shipment between production locations and distribution centres. At present, the coverage of this logistics system is expanding to engines, transmissions and auto body parts produced at the Hiroshima Plant and the Hofu Plant. In FY March 2018, Mazda also expanded the quantity of transmissions vanned at plants to be exported to the Mexico plant.
  • Reducing the transportation distance for procured parts for overseas production
  • Previously, the parts procured in Asia to be used for overseas production were transported via Japan to Mazda’s Mexico plant. In July 2016, this was changed to direct transportation, so that now these parts are transported from existing distribution centres in Thailand and China, leading to a reduced transportation distance. In Japan, in FY March 2017 Mazda started to land parts imported from overseas at the ports close to production sites, in order to reduce the transportation distance between the Hiroshima Plant and Hofu Plant. In FY March 2018, Mazda enlarged the scope of models to which this measure is applied, reducing CO2 emissions by about 8 tons.
  • Reducing the transportation distance for repair parts
  • When Mazda’s Mexico plant started to run, repair parts were transported via North America to Europe, since their transpiration volume was small. Three years after the plant’s startup, however, the volume was on the rise. For this reason, the shipping method was changed to direct transportation to Europe. By reducing the transportation distance through straight logistics, Mazda succeeded in reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 1,400 tons.
  • Improving transportation efficiency for procured parts
  • For domestically produced parts, deployment of the Milk-Run system was completed throughout Japan by FY March 2008. Today, Mazda is introducing the same system in overseas production sites, with deployment in the Mexico plant completed in FY March 2014 and in the transmission plant in Thailand completed in FY March 2016, aiming to reduce CO2 emissions by further promoting efficiency in the purchasing and logistics processes across the entire supply chain. Mazda is continuing its initiatives to optimise its packaging volume for purchasing parts, reflecting the logistics needs at the beginning of the product development process, so as to further improve the load efficiency of trucks and reduce the number of trucks required. In Japan, Mazda introduced the Cloud-based Transportation/Delivery Progress Management Service for Logistics Operators in 2016. This service has been proven effective in reducing delivery time and costs and improving the quality of transportation, as well as in mitigating the burden on drivers, easing traffic congestion, and reducing CO2 emissions through efficient transportation. Mazda plans to apply this service to 600 vehicles in five years after its launch. In FY March 2018, the number of vehicles covered by this service increased to 350 from 220 at its inception.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standard addressed in this case is: Disclosure 302-2 Energy consumption outside of the organization

Disclosure 302-2 Energy consumption outside of the organization corresponds to:

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

FBRH GRI Standards Certified & ISEP recognised Sustainability Course | Venue: London LSE

By registering for the next 2-day FBRH GRI Standards Certified & ISEP recognised course you will be taking the first step in gaining the many benefits of sustainability reporting.

 

References:

1) This case study is based on published information by Mazda, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to Mazda: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How Mazda reduces logistics emissions appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How Honda reduces logistics emissions https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-honda-reduces-logistics-emissions/ Fri, 22 Nov 2019 07:31:56 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=10058 , seeking to reduce environmental impacts at every stage in the life cycle of its products, from product procurement to the design, development, production, transportation, sale, use and disposal stages. This case study is based on the 2018 Sustainability Report by Honda published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing. Abstract Due to the extremely large […]

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]]> Ever since the 1960s, Honda has actively endeavoured to address environmental problems  Tweet This!, seeking to reduce environmental impacts at every stage in the life cycle of its products, from product procurement to the design, development, production, transportation, sale, use and disposal stages.

This case study is based on the 2018 Sustainability Report by Honda published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

Due to the extremely large volume of transportation that takes place throughout the manufacturing process at Honda, increasing efficiency, reducing environmental burden, compliance and risk management in logistics, are all critical issues for Honda. In order to reduce logistics emissions Honda took action to:

  • identify global CO2 emissions
  • expand modal shifts
  • increase the ratio of longer carriers

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2018 Sustainability Report Honda identified a range of material issues, such as responding to climate change and energy issues, reducing traffic fatalities, assuring outstanding product quality, respecting human rights. Among these, reducing logistics emissions stands out as a key material issue for Honda.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Honda engages with:

Stakeholder Group                Method of engagement
Customers ·      Customer satisfaction surveys

·      Enjoy Honda
Shareholders

and Investors

 ·      Shareholder meeting and briefings for institutional investors
National/Local

government

 

 ·      Dialogues concerning local government policies and available technologies

·      Feasibility studies
Economic and Industry organisations ·      Participation in councils
International organisations ·      Participation in international initiatives

 
NGOs ·      Regular communication

·      Response to surveys and questionnaires
Research institutes

 

 ·      Merchantability verification for products

·      Co-development of technologies
Media

 

 ·      Communication with journalists

·      New model launch events
Suppliers ·      Supplier networking events

·      Supplier risk assessments
Dealers ·      Dealer Conferences/briefings
Local communities

 

 ·      Plant tours

·      Social activities by associates
Associates ·      Associate satisfaction surveys

·      Dialogue between executives and associates

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics Honda engaged in dialogue with leading environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) rating agencies and NGOs in Europe and the United States.

What actions were taken by Honda to reduce logistics emissions?

In its 2018 Sustainability Report Honda reports that it took the following actions for reducing logistics emissions:

  • Identifying global CO2 emissions
  • Honda is working to improve transportation efficiency in the shipping of vehicles and equipment, parts shipped between plants, parts for services and repairs, and parts collected from suppliers. Additionally, in FY2017 Honda started managing CO2 emissions in the transportation of automobile production parts, which make up the majority of international marine transport. In FY2018, Honda continued its efforts to identify CO2 emissions for all products around the world, by steadily expanding the scope to other product domains.
  • Expanding modal shifts
  • Honda tries to expand its modal shift, i.e. switching means of transportation from trucks to ship and rail transportation, with a focus on transportation to distant regions. For example, in Vietnam, the distance between Honda’s production facility on the outskirts of Hanoi in the north and the major market of Ho Chi Minh City in the south is over 1,700 km. For this reason, Honda is replacing conventional trucks with ship and rail transport for long-distance shipments between north and south. As a result, Honda will achieve reductions in CO2 of 27% with rail transport and 65% with ship transport, compared with conventional truck transport. In addition, Honda is working to increase efficiency in each transport mode and is introducing, in rail transport, freight cars specially designed for shipping automobiles with high load efficiency.
  • Increasing the ratio of longer carriers
  • In India, Honda reduced CO2 emissions by approximately 6,226t per year by improving the transport efficiency of completed vehicles from its factory to dealers. Honda India implemented this initiative in collaboration with logistics service providers and dealers, in which longer carriers transport two or more dealers’ clubbed orders on the same route, if one dealer order is less than six cars. Previously, Honda India used small carriers with four car capacity for small quantity dealer orders.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standard addressed in this case is: Disclosure 302-2 Energy consumption outside of the organization

Disclosure 302-2 Energy consumption outside of the organization corresponds to:

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.

 

References:

1) This case study is based on published information by Honda, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to Honda: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How Honda reduces logistics emissions appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How FedEx increases facilities efficiency https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-fedex-increases-facilities-efficiency/ Thu, 20 Jun 2019 06:13:24 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=9710 FedEx is active in over 220 countries and territories around the globe with more than 5,000 operating facilities, including air and ground hubs, local stations, freight service centres and retail sites. Maintaining efficient operations – emphasising efficiency in energy use, facility design and construction, paper and other materials used and waste management – is, thus, a top priority. This case study is based on the 2018 Global Citizenship Report by FedEx published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done […]

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]]> FedEx is active in over 220 countries and territories around the globe with more than 5,000 operating facilities, including air and ground hubs, local stations, freight service centres and retail sites. Maintaining efficient operations – emphasising efficiency in energy use, facility design and construction, paper and other materials used and waste management – is, thus, a top priority.

This case study is based on the 2018 Global Citizenship Report by FedEx published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

Seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification on all new U.S. FedEx Express buildings, FedEx has workplace sustainability initiatives that provide pathways for team members to adopt energy-saving habits  Tweet This! and devise innovative approaches, with the input of energy experts to test and implement new efficiency initiatives. In order to increase facilities efficiency FedEx took action to:

  • improve energy efficiency
  • certify facilities
  • implement sustainability programmes

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2018 Global Citizenship Report FedEx identified a range of material issues, such as ethics, bribery and corruption, data security and privacy, driver and workplace safety, business preparedness, resiliency and disaster response. Among these, increasing facilities efficiency stands out as a key material issue for FedEx.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups FedEx engages with:  

Stakeholder Group
Customers
Industry groups
Investors
Sustainability experts
Nonprofits
Government agencies
Team members

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics FedEx engaged with its stakeholders through a survey and roundtable engagement session.

What actions were taken by FedEx to increase facilities efficiency?

In its 2018 Global Citizenship Report FedEx reports that it took the following actions for increasing facilities efficiency:

  • Improving energy efficiency
  • As in previous years, lighting retrofits are a priority for FedEx and, in FY17, it upgraded an additional 28 facilities. Collectively, all facilities upgraded helped FedEx save 220,390,449 kWh of electricity and avoid, in FY17, 164,018 metric tons of CO2e emissions. Since 2007, lighting retrofits at 1,085 facilities have saved more than 1 billion kWh of electricity. In FY17, FedEx Office also began piloting an energy management system that allows for more efficient climate control and monitors the health of office equipment, with the aim of ultimately reducing energy and repair costs.
  • Certifying facilities
  • Certifying facilities to external standards is one way for FedEx to take a more comprehensive look at its performance, across a number of environmental criteria. During FY17, FedEx Express completed two more LEED-certified facilities in the U.S., bringing the total number to 14 and covering an area of 218,698 square meters. FedEx Express also operates three LEED-certified facilities outside the U.S., which include the FedEx International Centre (formerly TNT Centre) in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands. FedEx Ground has six LEED-certified facilities in the U.S., and the FedEx Office Headquarters in Plano, Texas is also LEED-certified. During FY17 FedEx Freight began work on its first LEED facility, expected to open in Sheboygan, Wisconsin in FY19. The number of FedEx Express facilities certified to the ISO 14001 environmental management system standard grew to 649 in almost 50 countries in FY17, primarily as a result of the acquisition of TNT. In addition, one FedEx Supply Chain facility in the U.S. is ISO 14001-certified.
  • Implementing sustainability programmes
  • The FedEx Ground sustainability champion programme, designed to increase employee participation and engagement in sustainability initiatives, grew significantly in FY17, adding 214 champion sites. Since implementing the programme, 574 sustainability champions volunteered to lead new sustainability initiatives and programmes, at 81 percent of the nearly 600 FedEx Ground facilities in the U.S. and Canada. Additionally, the FedEx Freight GREEN Site internal certification programme, which recognises facilities that complete certain actions to reduce environmental impacts, like recycling and conserving energy, saw the number of GREEN Sites more than double in FY17 compared to FY16, to extend GREEN Site Level 1 certification to all FedEx Freight locations.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 302-1 Energy consumption within the organization

2) Disclosure 302-4 Reduction of energy consumption

 

Disclosure 302-1 Energy consumption within the organization corresponds to:

Disclosure 302-4 Reduction of energy consumption corresponds to:

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.

 

References:

1) This case study is based on published information by FedEx, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) http://www.fbrh.co.uk/en/global-reporting-initiative-gri-g4-guidelines-download-page

3) https://g4.globalreporting.org/Pages/default.aspx

4) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to FedEx: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How FedEx increases facilities efficiency appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How Ashok Leyland reduces its energy consumption https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-ashok-leyland-reduces-its-energy-consumption/ Mon, 28 Jan 2019 07:13:17 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=8539 As India’s leading player in the automotive industry and one of the country’s most esteemed business groups, offering a wide range of products to meet customers’ requirements and preferences, including buses, trucks and defence mobility solutions, This case study is based on the 2016-17 Sustainability Report by Ashok Leyland published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing […]

The post Case study: How Ashok Leyland reduces its energy consumption appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]>

As India’s leading player in the automotive industry and one of the country’s most esteemed business groups, offering a wide range of products to meet customers’ requirements and preferences, including buses, trucks and defence mobility solutions, Ashok Leyland constantly works to reduce its energy needs and improve energy efficiency.  Tweet This!

This case study is based on the 2016-17 Sustainability Report by Ashok Leyland published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

Layout 1

Abstract

Ashok Leyland seeks to use its cutting-edge technology to manage its energy needs sustainably and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, also helping customers do the same. In order to reduce its energy consumption Ashok Leyland took action to:

  • use natural gas instead of propane
  • invest in renewable energy sources
  • use energy efficient pumps
  • conserve energy through Variable Frequency Drives
  • optimise power consumption through pyro blocks

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2016-17 Sustainability Report Ashok Leyland identified a range of material issues, such as business growth and profitability, regulatory compliance, customer satisfaction, product safety and quality, waste management, occupational health and safety. Among these, reducing its energy consumption stands out as a key material issue for Ashok Leyland.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Ashok Leyland engages with:

Stakeholder Group                Method of engagement
Employees

 

 ·      Monthly and quarterly meet

·      Personal review and visits

·      Surveys

·      Training

·      Annual day

·      Events
Suppliers

 

 ·      Suppliers meet

·      Tech days

·      Mutual visits

·      Monthly meetings with leadership

·      Events
Dealers

 

 ·      Events

·      Dealer panel engagement
Customers (Institutional and Retail) ·      Events

·      Survey

·      Ashok Leyland initiatives
Government and Regulatory authorities ·      One to one meetings

·      Events and conferences

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics, Ashok Leyland engaged with its stakeholders through questionnaires and interactions.

What actions were taken by Ashok Leyland to reduce its energy consumption?

In its 2016-17 Sustainability Report Ashok Leyland reports that it took the following actions for reducing its energy consumption:

  • Using natural gas instead of propane
  • In Ashok Leyland’s Pantnagar plant, propane was used for heating application in the paint process. With the arrival of the GAIL pipeline at the Pantnagar industrial area, Ashok Leyland switched from using propane to Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG). Natural gas is safer, much lighter and rapidly dissipates into the air when released. In addition, Ashok Leyland achieved savings in diesel consumption during transportation, as natural gas is transported through a pipeline, and also saved 1 lakh kWh during the winter season, as vaporiser is not required for natural gas. Until March 2017, Ashok Leyland had saved 105 tCO2e.
  • Investing in renewable energy sources
  • Ashok Leyland seeks to increase its share of renewable energy sources in its overall energy mix and sources wind power from external source at its Hosur, Bhandara and Ennore plants and VVC centre. Additionally, Ashok Leyland commissioned roof top solar plants at various units, amounting to a total of 5 MW, and installed the same at the Hosur 1 & 2, Bhandara and Ennore units. These installations will annually generate 15 lakh units, resulting in a reduction of 1,230 tCO2e. In FY 2016-17, Ashok Leyland utilised 150,499 GJ of energy from renewable sources – 17 per cent of the overall energy consumption.
  • Using energy efficient pumps
  • Ashok Leyland replaced conventional electric heaters used to heat flood washing machines – which consumed 48 kW per machine – with air source heat pumps. These energy efficient pumps absorb heat from one part and release it in another, instead of converting it from a fuel like a conventional heater, reducing, accordingly, energy consumption and the carbon footprint. Ashok Leyland achieved a saving of 5 units per engine, resulting in an overall saving of 38 kW per machine.
  • Conserving energy through Variable Frequency Drives
  • The paint booth in the Vehicle Test Shop in Hosur 2 consists of a 75 kW supply blower and 4 nos. of 22 kW exhaust motors, which run continuously to maintain air balancing inside the booth, resulting in high energy consumption. To reduce energy use, Ashok Leyland introduced VFD (Variable Frequency Drives) panel and booth balancing, conserving 1,12,700 kWh of energy every year.
  • Optimising power consumption through pyro blocks
  • Ashok Leyland replaced fire clay bricks in heat treatment furnaces with high density monolithic CF blocks (pyro blocks), which have excellent heat reflection properties. This has reduced heat loss and helped Ashok Leyland save power, achieving an annual saving of 58,000 kWh.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 302-1 Energy consumption within the organization

2) Disclosure 302-4 Reduction of energy consumption

 

Disclosure 302-1 Energy consumption within the organization corresponds to:

Disclosure 302-4 Reduction of energy consumption corresponds to:

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.



7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.

 

References:

1) This case study is based on published information by Ashok Leyland, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) http://www.fbrh.co.uk/en/global-reporting-initiative-gri-g4-guidelines-download-page

3) https://g4.globalreporting.org/Pages/default.aspx

4) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to Ashok Leyland: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How Ashok Leyland reduces its energy consumption appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

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