OUR STEWARDSHIP
Illovo’s commitment to improve environmental management processes is underpinned by continuous
improvement in the management of direct environmental impacts across its value chain. Being mindful of
the role that we play in relation to the sustainable development of the regions in which we operate and
our strong interdependence with the local communities and natural environments in those areas, our
management of the environment is guided by the commitment to minimising any negative impacts that
we may have on the environment, or which may contribute to climate change.
Guided by the United Nations Global Compact Principles (“UN Global Compact”), our environmental
strategy supports a precautionary approach to environmental challenges, focuses on initiatives to
promote greater environmental responsibility and encourages the use of environmentally friendly
technologies.
To achieve these objectives, our operations are required:
to continuously improve their sustainability-linked environmental practices, to conserve raw materials,
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy intensity, entrench climate change mitigation and
adaptation strategies, promote responsible manufacturing and undertake sustainable agriculture
practices;
to introduce environmentally-friendly initiatives such as responsible waste disposal programmes
(thereby reducing our solid waste per ton of product produced), maximise the reuse of the by-
products of our manufacturing processes, optimise our water footprint per ton of cane produced and
implement our water risk management and monitoring strategy;
to create wider environmental stakeholder awareness and improve responsiveness to key
environmental-related performance indicators, including threats brought about by climate change;
to undertake rigorous assurance and external audits, not only to address legal liability, but also to
ensure the implementation of a precautionary approach in relation to the management of
environmental impact;
to leverage improved environmental performance in our supply chain (eg, quantifying and monitoring
greenhouse gas emissions from third-party transporters), managing environmental impacts and focus
on weather-related supply chain disruptions.
Our environmental reporting, which is guided by the Socially Responsible Index of the JSE Limited (“SRI
Index”) and the Global Reporting Initiative’s G3 Guidelines (“GRI”), is structured to reflect the inputs,
outputs and impact the organisation has on the environment. Materials, energy and water represent
three inputs used by all of our operations. These inputs result in outputs feeding into the environment,
which are reported under the headings of emissions, effluent and waste. We also report on land and
biodiversity as inputs as these are viewed as natural resources.
We also respond publicly to the CDP water and climate change reporting requirements.
In line with the GRI reporting requirements, aspects which are material to our businesses have been
determined and their materiality is based on their impact or potential impact, the risks they pose or
opportunities they present, as well as factors which influence assessments of the organisation by
stakeholders. Relevant laws and regulations which are applicable to our operations and stakeholders are
also considered to be material.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS REPORT
2014/15
