East African Breweries Limited (EABL) on Thursday, September 2 launched its inaugural Environmental, Social and Governance report to society.
The report provides an overview of the processes and mechanisms EABL has put in place to support communities and do business the right way, detailing the direct impact their sustainability work is having on its various stakeholders.
The report was launched at a virtual event, streamed live from the EABL offices. Among those who attended the event were: Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry Dr. Chris Kiptoo, Principal Secretary Ministry of Energy, Dr. Eng. Joseph Njoroge, EABL Chairman Dr. Martin Oduor, EABL Group MD and CEO Jane Karuku and KBL MD John Musunga.
Speaking at the event, PS Kiptoo urged companies to continue supporting and embracing the global agenda for sustainability by meeting their needs without compromising the ability for future generations to meet their own needs.
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“It is encouraging to see companies such as EABL embracing the concept of running sustainable businesses and integrating the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their operations. Key to this renewed focus is environmental conservation, on which the future of mankind is pegged on. EABL has been eager to partner with both the national and county governments – co-working with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry for example, in their extensive tree planting activities geared towards environment preservation and conservation. We are also proud of our most recent collaboration for the reinstatement of the National Tree Growing Day, scheduled to kick off in April 2022”, said Dr. Kiptoo.
The launch of the sustainability report comes after the recent launch of Diageo in Society 2030 Strategy, a10-year comprehensive action plan that will help the company create a more inclusive and sustainable world. It includes targets towards promoting a positive role for alcohol, championing inclusion and diversity, preserving the natural resources and making a positive contribution to the communities where they operate.
“We continue to strive to create a positive impact in our company, with our communities and for society. Our inaugural report is as result of a yearlong process where detailed research and introspection was applied to determine our material issues. This enabled us to map out our various stakeholders, capture their experiences and document the impact of our work on the ground. This report therefore provides a detailed overview of how EABL is making a significant difference in our region” said EABL Chairman Dr. Martin Oduor.
EABL Group MD confirmed that that the company was taking the lead in developing solutions for different players across their value chain. This is by integrating social and environmental standards into their supply chain, ensuring that the entire business strategy is sustainable.
“We continue to see notable social and economic progress in the communities that we engage with, including the creation of much-needed jobs and increased access to green, innovative farming practices. We are excited to put together the very first report of our sustainability initiatives, impacts and future goals for East Africa”, she said.
“This launch not only marks a new beginning for us as a company but is also an impetus in shaping the history of sustainability in the region and continent. In documenting our successes and highlighting the experiences of our stakeholders, we hope to provide a platform for continuous learning and growth. This report is simply another step in our ongoing journey”, added Ms Karuku.
Some highlights from the report include EABL’s pledge to promote Positive Drinking. In their quest to support informed choices, the company has spread positive messaging, knowledge and awareness to over 13 million people in the region.
On championing Inclusion & Diversity, over 500 youth have been trained on business and hospitality skills over the past year and equipped with skills to improve their employability and ability to start their own entrepreneurial journey. Additionally, 0ver 5,000 bartenders trained in the Diageo Bar Academy.
Towards pioneering Grain to Glass Sustainability, between 2020 –2021,198,000m3 of water used on EABL sites was replenished and reused. Between 2016 to date, a total of 1,006,138 m3 of water has been replenished, this represents 30.6% of the company’s target to replenish 3,282,463 m3 by 2026.
Tackling global climate change is also a key deliverable for EABL and they have ensured that their sites across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania utilise an average of 82% renewable energy. EABL also provides 60,000 farmers across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda with agricultural skills and resources to support sustainable farming practices.
On occupational health and safety, the company has witnessed a 36% reduction in total safety incidents and 100% pass in safety audits.
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