What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Great Panther identified a range of material issues, such as health and safety of employees and contractors, job creation, relationship with communities, business ethics. Among these, protecting biodiversity stands out as a key material issue for Great Panther.

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 Great Panther engages with:

Stakeholder Group

Employees and contractors

Suppliers

Shareholders and investors

Local communities

Governments

Industry associations

NGOs

Educational institutions

Customers

Analysts

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics Great Panther surveyed over 520 people from nearly a dozen stakeholder groups inside and outside its business, spanning four countries. There were face-to-face and phone interviews at each mine location and company headquarters, as well as an online questionnaire.

What actions were taken by Great Panther to protect biodiversity?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Great Panther reports that it took the following actions for protecting biodiversity:

• Conducting environmental baseline studies
• Each of its mine sites is unique, so Great Panther starts with a detailed environmental baseline study to acquire the data needed to recognise and manage changes. This includes identifying the types of ecosystems present and species of flora and fauna and the ecological processes they support. The study allows Great Panther to get to know each mine’s surroundings through the expertise of a multi-disciplinary team of experts. Once they have assessed the area’s specific needs, Great Panther tailors a plan to avoid, minimise, and manage impacts on flora, fauna and their habitat according to local environmental legislation. The study findings also provide timely input into site plans to reduce potentially adverse environmental impacts during the development, operational and closure phases of Great Panther’s mines.

• Implementing biodiversity conservation programmes
• Preventing impacts to ecosystems and habitat is more responsible and more cost-efficient than remediating them. To that end, based on its environmental baseline studies, Great Panther creates biodiversity conservation plans to maintain or enhance specific conditions and prevent damage, specific for each site. These include guidelines to avoid water pollution, emission control protocols (air, soil and water) and minimise habitat loss. Great Panther’s biodiversity conservation programmes also include soil erosion prevention and spills prevention technology.

• Providing biodiversity training
• When Great Panther identifies a new area of work, it prioritises the conservation of flora and fauna. Great Panther’s biodiversity programmes are guided by local environmental legislation and may include impact mitigation plans, land-use change studies and its associated reports. As employees and contractors begin to work at a new site and each year, they receive biodiversity training that emphasises care, respect and the importance of following Great Panther’s conservation guidelines at and around the site. Additionally, Great Panther is exploring the potential of new technologies to revolutionise biodiversity in mining. This includes using night-vision cameras to identify animals in the forest around Tucano, as well as deploying drones in Mexico and Brazil to monitor the recovery of vegetation. Great Panther also uses a Global Positioning System (GPS) to locate and protect seed-bearing plants and endangered species, in addition to forestry inventory software.

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

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 304-1 Operational sites owned, leased, managed in, or adjacent to, protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas

2) Disclosure 304-2 Significant impacts of activities, products, and services on biodiversity

3) Disclosure 304-3 Habitats protected or restored

4) Disclosure 304-4 IUCN Red List species and national conservation list species with habitats in areas affected by operations

 

Disclosure 304-1 Operational sites owned, leased, managed in, or adjacent to, protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
• Targets: 6.6
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources
• Targets: 14.2
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss
• Targets: 15.1, 15.5

Disclosure 304-2 Significant impacts of activities, products, and services on biodiversity corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
• Targets: 6.6
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources
• Targets: 14.2
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss
• Targets: 15.1, 15.5

Disclosure 304-3 Habitats protected or restored corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
• Targets: 6.6
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources
• Targets: 14.2
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss
• Targets: 15.1, 15.5

Disclosure 304-4 IUCN Red List species and national conservation list species with habitats in areas affected by operations corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
• Targets: 6.6
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources
• Targets: 14.2
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss
• Targets: 15.1, 15.5

 

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 Great Panther, 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 Great Panther: 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.

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:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
• Targets: 3.9
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
• Targets: 12.4
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
• Targets: 13.1
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
• Targets: 14.3
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
• Targets: 15.2

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

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
• Targets: 3.9
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
• Targets: 12.4
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
• Targets: 13.1
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
• Targets: 14.3
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
• Targets: 15.2

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

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
• Targets: 3.9
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
• Targets: 12.4
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
• Targets: 13.1
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
• Targets: 14.3
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
• Targets: 15.2

Disclosure 305-4 GHG emissions intensity corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
• Targets: 13.1
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
• Targets: 14.3
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
• Targets: 15.2

Disclosure 305-5 Reduction of GHG emissions corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
• Targets: 13.1
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
• Targets: 14.3
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
• Targets: 15.2

 

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.

What are the material issues the company has identified?            

In its 2019 Responsibility Report PCA identified a range of material issues, such as economic performance, climate change, occupational health and safety, labour relations. Among these, protecting biodiversity stands out as a key material issue for PCA.

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 PCA engages with:

Stakeholder Group	Method of engagement
Employees	·      Your Opinion Counts
Customers	·      Customer ConneXions

 How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics PCA surveyed over 100 employees and conducted research on 45 of its largest customers.

What actions were taken by PCA to protect biodiversity?

In its 2019 Responsibility Report PCA reports that it took the following actions for protecting biodiversity:

• Supporting research and partnering in conservation efforts
• PCA partners with The Forest Resource Association, The Nature Conservancy, Forest Stewards Guild, Longleaf Alliance, Keeping Forests, American Forest Foundation, and National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI) to accomplish research and support conservation objectives. PCA also conducts annual training with staff on the latest research, conservation priorities and company policies and procedures to broaden the practice of sustainable forest management, and reduce both direct and indirect negative impacts on biodiversity.

• Conducting environmental impact assessments
• Utilising NatureServe and state Natural Heritage websites, PCA checks for threatened or endangered species and ecosystem conservation priorities in combination with on the ground inspections prior to harvest activity. This enables PCA to ensure biodiversity constraints are identified and have an effective plan of action in-place before, during and after forest management activity. PCA fully complies with the US Lacey Act, Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, Species at Risk Act, and provincial timber regulations. PCA is also in full conformance with the European Union Timber Regulations (EUTR).

• Implementing Best Management Practices
• The forest certification programmes PCA adheres to support the protection of biodiversity through voluntary and compulsory measures. For example, the SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) standard requires a trained Master Logger or Qualified Logging Professional (QLP) on-site during harvest activities and wood suppliers must remain up-to-date on continuing education requirements, including biodiversity protection. In 2019, 99.2% wood sourced directly from forestlands was delivered by QLPs. PCA promotes and financially supports training programmes for logging professionals as part of its commitment to sustainable forestry standards and is dedicated to applying all mandatory and voluntary state Best Management Practices (BMPs) during harvest activity to protect a site’s biodiversity and preserve the quality of water and soil within the landscape.

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

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 304-1 Operational sites owned, leased, managed in, or adjacent to, protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas

2) Disclosure 304-2 Significant impacts of activities, products, and services on biodiversity

3) Disclosure 304-3 Habitats protected or restored

4) Disclosure 304-4 IUCN Red List species and national conservation list species with habitats in areas affected by operations

 

Disclosure 304-1 Operational sites owned, leased, managed in, or adjacent to, protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
• Targets: 6.6
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources
• Targets: 14.2
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss
• Targets: 15.1, 15.5

Disclosure 304-2 Significant impacts of activities, products, and services on biodiversity corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
• Targets: 6.6
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources
• Targets: 14.2
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss
• Targets: 15.1, 15.5

Disclosure 304-3 Habitats protected or restored corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
• Targets: 6.6
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources
• Targets: 14.2
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss
• Targets: 15.1, 15.5

Disclosure 304-4 IUCN Red List species and national conservation list species with habitats in areas affected by operations corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
• Targets: 6.6
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources
• Targets: 14.2
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss
• Targets: 15.1, 15.5

 

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 PCA, 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 PCA: 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.

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:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
• Targets: 3.9
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
• Targets: 12.4
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
• Targets: 13.1
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
• Targets: 14.3
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
• Targets: 15.2

 

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.

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2018 Corporate Social Responsibility Report Asanko identified a range of material issues, such as community relations, training and development, ethical conduct, environmental compliance, local purchasing. Among these, protecting biodiversity stands out as a key material issue for Asanko.

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 Asanko engages with:

Stakeholder Group	Method of engagement
Employees	·      Meetings and regular briefings on operational, safety, health, environmental and social issues and performance ·      Monthly newsletter ·      Engagement surveys ·      Grievance mechanism
Investors and shareholders	·      Press releases ·      Quarterly conference calls ·      Conferences ·      Annual and CSR Reports ·      Annual General Meetings ·      Face-to-face meetings
Traditional structures and heritage	·      Face-to-face meetings ·      Public engagements via company-community forums, associations and committees ·      Grievance mechanism
Suppliers and contractors	·      Regular one-on-one meetings ·      Contract management ·      An open culture that encourages dialogue
Industry bodies	·      Attendance at quarterly Chamber of Mines meetings ·      Annual Mines Safety Competition ·      Regular inspection visits to project sites ·      Bi-annual proficiency examinations conducted by Inspectorate Division of Minerals Commission based on the various legislative instruments of Ghana
Ghanaian government (all levels)	·      Face-to-face meetings with company management as part of Asanko’s government relations programme ·      Multi-stakeholder roundtables ·      Site visits ·      Compliance and progress reporting ·      CSR Report
Local communities	·      Face-to-face meetings ·      Public engagements via company-community forums, associations, and committees ·      Open-door policy at site office ·      Community Information Centres ·      Monthly newsletter ·      Asanko website ·      Participation in ceremonial gatherings ·      Grievance mechanism
Public sector partners	·      Active partnerships and collaboration ·      Progress reporting on initiatives ·      CSR Report
Non-governmental organisations	·      Face-to-face meetings ·      Public engagements via company-community forums, associations, and committees ·      Open-door policy at site office ·      Community Information Centres ·      Monthly newsletter ·      Asanko website ·      Participation in ceremonial gatherings ·      Grievance mechanism
Media	·      News releases ·      Asanko website ·      Briefings with management ·      CSR Reports

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics Asanko carried out a survey among both internal and external stakeholders. Internal stakeholders included heads of the relevant departments and the members of the Executive Management Team, while external stakeholders included employees, suppliers, NGOs and civil society, from whom Asanko received 110 responses.

What actions were taken by Asanko to protect biodiversity?

In its 2018 Corporate Social Responsibility Report Asanko reports that it took the following actions for protecting biodiversity:

• Protecting and preserving IUCN red list plant species
• Asanko’s mining area is not classified as an area of natural or international conservation concern. However, baseline studies carried out in 2013 and signed off by the Ghanaian EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) identified seven IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) red list plant species within Asanko’s concession area. As part of Asanko’s commitment to protect and preserve these species, these seven species have been integrated into Asanko’s concurrent land rehabilitation and planting programme, and Asanko trialled planting these species as part of the reclamation of the former waste rock dump. No fauna listed on the IUCN Red list have been found in or near Asanko’s concession.

• Applying a policy of progressive reclamation
• Asanko has a policy of progressive reclamation to make sure that it keeps the overall footprint of its mine as small as practicably possible. The benefits of concurrent rehabilitation are two-fold: firstly, it helps to minimise and mitigate the impact of Asanko’s activities on local flora and fauna and, secondly, it helps to reduce Asanko’s liabilities at the end of the mine’s life. Asanko also has a land inventory of areas for reclamation in place and has signed a reclamation security agreement with the EPA to ensure adequate provision of material for rehabilitation and topsoil recovery.

• Implementing a land rehabilitation programme
• During 2018, Asanko commenced its concurrent land rehabilitation programme, with the aim of restoring land to either a natural or, at the very minimum, economically usable state in good time for mine closure. During the year, work began to restore approximately 5.2 hectares of the eastern section of the Nkran Pit Waste Rock Dump. Restoration work carried out included resloping, erosion control work and tree planting. Restoration and rehabilitation work continued throughout 2019 and was carried out in accordance with the Ghanaian EPA requirements.

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

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 304-3 Habitats protected or restored

2) Disclosure 304-4 IUCN Red List species and national conservation list species with habitats in areas affected by operations

 

Disclosure 304-3 Habitats protected or restored corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
• Business theme: Water-related ecosystems and biodiversity
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
• Business theme: Marine biodiversity
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
• Business theme: Mountain ecosystems, Natural habitat degradation, Terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems

Disclosure 304-4 IUCN Red List species and national conservation list species with habitats in areas affected by operations corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
• Business theme: Water-related ecosystems and biodiversity
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
• Business theme: Marine biodiversity
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
• Business theme: Mountain ecosystems, Natural habitat degradation, Terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems

 

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 Asanko, 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 Asanko: 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.

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2019 Annual Report Petropavlovsk identified a range of material issues, such as economic performance, environmental compliance, training & education, waste management, occupational health and safety, water management. Among these, protecting biodiversity stands out as a key material issue for Petropavlovsk.

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 Petropavlovsk engages with:

Stakeholder Group	Method of engagement
Shareholders, lenders, bondholders	·      AGM ·      Annual Report ·      Investor conferences, conference calls, one-to-one meetings ·      Site visits
Employees	·      Website ·      Intranet ·      Corporate newspaper Pokrovka Plus, Social media accounts ·      Trade Union ·      Meetings and face-to-face communication with management
Suppliers and contractors	·      Direct correspondence ·      Meetings ·      Contractual relationships
Local communities, including Indigenous communities	·      Public hearings ·      Corporate newspaper Pokrovka Plus, Social media accounts ·      Social and charity activities ·      Company website ·      Site visits ·      Grievance procedure
Government and industry authorities	·      Meetings, round-table conferences ·      Industry conferences ·      Direct correspondence ·      Company website ·      Circulation of information (brochures, factsheets, leaflets, etc.)

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics Petropavlovsk engaged with its stakeholders via an online survey.

What actions were taken by Petropavlovsk to protect biodiversity?

In its 2019 Annual Report Petropavlovsk reports that it took the following actions for protecting biodiversity:

• Identifying potential impacts of operations on wildlife
• Before a mine becomes operational, Petropavlovsk outlines potential impacts of the operations on wildlife, along with the measures and actions to be taken in order to manage and mitigate these possible risks. This procedure, which is part of the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment), has an important role in Petropavlovsk’s decision-making. Biodiversity management plans, outlining preventative measures and prohibited activities, are also developed and implemented at all Petropavlovsk’s operations.

• Developing a biodiversity management programme
• Petropavlovsk has developed a biodiversity management programme based on the following initiatives:
  • Preventing pollution and minimising its environmental impact;
  • Minimising noise levels as far as possible;
  • Minimising and controlling the disposal of food waste which could attract wildlife;
  • Use of “cat’s eye” road reflectors and other wildlife deterrents near areas close to moving vehicles, as well as wildlife awareness warning signs for drivers;
  • Monitoring discharges to air, soil and water;
  • Installing digital bird repellent systems to protect waterfowl; and
  • Maximising use of all brownfield sites.

• Protecting flora and fauna
• Petropavlovsk has various biodiversity strategies in place to protect flora and fauna and to avoid contamination of local rivers, ponds or streams, which include:
  • Prohibition of felling trees or clearing wooded areas using heavy machinery, such as bulldozers, flooding of forest land, dumping waste or rubbish, fishing, hunting or poaching and driving vehicles outside designated zones or existing roads;
  • Replenishing aquatic biodiversity in local rivers, in partnership with the Federal Authority on Fishery and Biological Resources Preservation of Amur region (Amurybvod), with over US$185,000 having been spent in restocking over the last six years; and
  • Annual information campaigns to raise awareness of forest fires, which can have a potentially devastating impact on biodiversity. Petropavlovsk’s experience shows that the use of billboards, posters and warning signs at its operations as well as in the surrounding area (such as at rest areas on the motorways) has a noticeable positive effect.

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

The GRI Standard addressed in this case is: Disclosure 304-1 Operational sites owned, leased, managed in, or adjacent to, protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas

 

Disclosure 304-1 Operational sites owned, leased, managed in, or adjacent to, protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
• Targets: 6.6
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources
• Targets: 14.2
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss
• Targets: 15.1, 15.5

 

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 Petropavlovsk, 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 Petropavlovsk: 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.

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:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
• Targets: 7.2, 7.3
• Business theme: Energy efficiency, Renewable energy
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Targets: 8.4
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
• Targets: 12.2
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
• Targets: 13.1

Disclosure 302-3 Energy intensity corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
• Targets: 7.3
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Targets: 8.4
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
• Targets: 12.2
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
• Targets: 13.1

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

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
• Targets: 3.9
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
• Targets: 12.4
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
• Targets: 13.1
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
• Targets: 14.3
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
• Targets: 15.2

Disclosure 305-4 GHG emissions intensity corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
• Targets: 13.1
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
• Targets: 14.3
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
• Targets: 15.2

 

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.

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:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages
• Business theme: Air quality
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
• Business theme: Air quality
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
• Business theme: GHG emissions
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
• Business theme: Ocean acidification
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
• Business theme: Forest degradation

 

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.

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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.

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report ITC identified a range of material issues, such as financial performance, climate change, employee engagement, product packaging & labelling. Among these, protecting biodiversity stands out as a key material issue for ITC.

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 ITC engages with:

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

Stakeholder Group	Method of engagement
Providers of financial capital	·      Annual General Meeting ·      Exclusive section in Corporate Website on ‘Shareholder Value’ which serves to inform and service shareholders ·      Exclusive e-mail id: isc@itc.in for direct interaction with shareholders ·      Regular interaction with institutional investors
Government and regulatory authorities	·      Representation on policy issues through industry associations and other bodies ·      Participation in policy advocacy discussions at various forums
Customers	·      Market surveys ·      Direct connect/visits ·      Personalised lifestyle privilege programme ·      Customer satisfaction surveys ·      Key account management
Employees	·      Induction programmes/trainings/workshops ·      Individual performance appraisal ·      Employee engagement survey ·      Grievance handling processes ·      Trade union meetings
Farmers	·      Regular formal/informal conversations ·      Farmer training programmes and workshops ·      Agreements for all procurement activities ·      e-Choupal and Choupal Pradarshan Khets (demonstration farms) ·      Participatory rural appraisals to identify needs and challenges
Supply chain partners	·      Manufacturers’ meets ·      Vendor meets ·      Pre-agreement negotiations ·      Procurement agreements
Media	·      One-on-one media interaction ·      Press conferences/press releases ·      Advertisements/promotions ·      Interviews with senior management
Civil society	·      Partnerships for implementation of CSR programmes under ‘Mission Sunehra Kal’ ·      Discussions on community issues with civil society organisations
Local communities	·      Community needs assessment activities undertaken in collaboration with independent parties/civil society organisations ·      Formation of village institutions and regular meetings thereon ·      Public hearings for greenfield/expansion projects ·      Assessment of direct and indirect impacts of ITC’s social investments on communities

What actions were taken by ITC to protect biodiversity?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report ITC reports that it took the following actions for protecting biodiversity:

• Minimising the adverse impacts of agriculture on biodiversity
• ITC’s Biodiversity Risk and Opportunity Assessment (BROA) tool was deployed by its Agri Business Division in its core crop growing regions to identify impacts and dependencies of business operations on biodiversity of a given agricultural landscape. This was followed by an assessment of the various risks and opportunities that emerge, based on which plans were made and actions undertaken to address them. Based on the risk assessment, ITC has specifically promoted initiatives such as micro-irrigation promotion, farmer education cum awareness programmes on pesticide waste disposal, soil protection and conservation, and Integrated Pest Management in crops, covering around 65,000 farmers in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. In 2018, ITC’s Agri Business Division had additionally covered crops such as Chilli, Cumin, Turmeric, Celery and Coffee under Rain Forest Alliance (RFA) certification. Rainforest Alliance Certified farms are audited regularly to verify that farmers are compliant to the standard’s comprehensive requirements, which require continual improvement on the journey to sustainable agriculture. The farmers strictly follow the standard principles of sustainable farming, which include biodiversity conservation, improved livelihoods and human well-being, and natural resource conservation. With support from ITC, the farmers in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Punjab undertook an effective planning and farm management system which benefits communities, forests, native vegetation, ecosystem services and wildlife. ITC’s Paper business has committed to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) principles and has got its pulpwood plantations and supply chain certified under FSC. Till 2018, 37,089 hectares belonging to 32,313 farmers were certified under FSC by Rain Forest Alliance as per which no rare, threatened and endangered species were in the land considered under the scope of certification, also providing assurance that methods for enhancing biodiversity potential of the planted areas like retention of old growth/snag trees, retention of large woody debris, creation of water bodies, etc., were being practised.

• Implementing community driven biodiversity conservation
• ITC implements community driven biodiversity conservation with focus on livelihood generation, to make sure that communities understand and value the importance of biodiversity conservation. As part of the programme, studies are undertaken to understand the current status of floral and faunal species richness in the watersheds, plans prepared for landscape level restoration to improve green cover and native floral species population and mosaic restoration to rehabilitate degraded common lands as biodiversity hotspots. Studies to assess species diversity and dominance have been carried out in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra states in the watersheds where ITC is implementing its water stewardship programme. The studies showed that ITC had successfully rehabilitated degraded areas as biodiversity conservation plots to enhance floral and faunal biodiversity and ensure adequate livelihood and employment generation for local communities through creation of fodder, fuel and other wood sources. Under this programme, ITC has cumulatively developed 793 biodiversity plots involving famers and community members covering a total area of 22,031 acres in 18 districts of 7 states. The initiative has also helped in conserving myriad species of floral and faunal diversity, including birds, butterflies, reptiles and amphibians. Regular biodiversity indexing is also being carried out in biodiversity conservation plots, to measure the success of the programme in terms of enhancing the species diversity and dominance.

• Developing ‘Sustainable Agriscape for Future’
• ITC collaborated with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Munger (Bihar) to develop ‘Sustainable Agriscape for Future’. IUCN had taken up studies and surveys to identify key issues that are affecting, and will in future affect the ecosystem service potential of the agriscape and farm profitability. Pressures on forest for fodder and fuelwood from the communities residing in adjoining area thus leading to increased top soil erosion and reduction of flows in water streams, encroachment and invasion of exotic species in community water bodies, excess usage of external input in agriculture located along the river Ganges, reduction of native trees and shrubs in agriculture fields that sustain birds and insect population, were identified as some of the critical factors that will impact the agriscape ecosystem service potential. Based on the challenges identified, IUCN suggested three varied landscape profiles for demonstrating the revival of ecosystem services: forest and lakes, lacustrine (pond), and riverine (Ganga riverbed) landscapes. Plans for all three types of landscapes have been developed and based on the action plans developed by IUCN, work is being implemented in all three landscapes at pilot scale. Interventions include creating fuelwood and fodder source within villages to bring down dependence on forests through suitable native tree species plantation, hyacinth based composting to reduce the growth of this invasive species growing in lakes, native species plantation along Ahar & Pyne banks to ensure a long life of the system through bank stabilisation, and multi-tiered native species plantation on fields adjacent to the Ganga river to minimise damage by floods.

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

The GRI Standard addressed in this case is: Disclosure 304-1 Operational sites owned, leased, managed in, or adjacent to, protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas

Disclosure 304-1 Operational sites owned, leased, managed in, or adjacent to, protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
• Business theme: Water-related ecosystems and biodiversity
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
• Business theme: Marine biodiversity
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
• Business theme: Mountain ecosystems, Natural habitat degradation, Terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems

 

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 ITC, 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 ITC: 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.