In a proactive move towards fostering sustainable practices, SACO CFR Group of Companies has developed an innovative strategy map and emissions schedule. These strategic frameworks aim to set clear monthly and yearly targets while ensuring regular monitoring, review, and prompt action to drive the company's commitment to reducing its environmental impact. By implementing these initiatives, the company seeks to enhance its sustainability efforts and contribute to a greener future, says Beverly Kirstein, chief human resources officer.“We realise the importance of ESG in business and therefore constantly evaluate our practices.As a testament to our dedication, we have recently formed an ESG committee known as the Green Champions. This committee has introduced a powerful company slogan, ‘Shifting to Green,’ which resonates through our organisation and reaches our clients via diverse awareness platforms. By actively promoting sustainable values, we strive to foster a greener future and make a positive impact in the business community and beyond.”Earlier this year, SACO CFR took a significant step forward in its sustainability journey by partnering with The Worldwide Alliance to launch the Greenovations pledge. As part of this commitment, all participating companies within the network are required to implement five essential pillars of action in 2023. These pillars include creating a paperless environment, embracing renewable energy sources in office operations, implementing comprehensive recycling programmes for computer equipment, ink, batteries, food waste, paper and plastic, banning the use of single-use plastic utensils, and adopting the procurement of water only in sustainable containers.“We are delighted to share that we have successfully implemented all of these actions thus far, and their progress is diligently monitored by our dedicated Green Champions to ensure ongoing compliance and continuous improvement. As part of our commitment, each employee has been provided with a reusable glass drinking bottle, which they can conveniently refill from the strategically placed water filtration units throughout our offices. This initiative not only promotes sustainability but also encourages a culture of personal responsibility among our staff,” said Kirstein.Other initiatives include the use of an internal technology platform for all company communication, where informative awareness news, facts and statistics are shared, as well as the importance of the company’s involvement in climate change and the current projects of change.“In the coming month, we are launching an exciting initiative called Tree Nation. Under this project, for every ton of cargo we transport, a tree will be planted in the nearest forest to the cargo's origin. This means that all our clients will play a role in expanding forests worldwide. “Once our customers reach the one-ton threshold, a tree will be planted on their behalf, and they will receive a certificate detailing the tree's information and location,” said Kirstein. “We also recently opened a new facility in Durban. During the design process, we were conscientious about utilising this opportunity to incorporate sustainable measures that contribute to a reduced carbon footprint. These changes include rainwater harvesting, motion sensor lighting to conserve energy, and a gradual transition to battery-operated forklifts with solar components, which will be implemented in the next phase of our plan.”
