Environmental sustainability
The group recognises the need to introduce environmentally sustainable business practices.
The Environmental Management System (“EMS”) includes the following:- identification of the direct and indirect environmental impacts of the group;
- an environmental policy which is relevant and achievabIe;
- improving the direct impact of business activities where economically viable; and
- creating awareness with stakeholders through the appropriate level of reporting.
The group’s environmental practices will evolve, guided by environmental principles, economic drivers and the commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen.
Responsibility
The board is responsible for the group’s environmental sustainability policy. The Risk Committee assists the board in carrying out its responsibilities. The Chief Risk Officer is responsible for co-ordinating the environmental sustainability policy. The implementation of the policy is the responsibility of executive management.
Environmental policy statement
The group acknowledges that it has an impact on the environment, both directly through electricity, fuel and materials consumed in its operations and indirectly through impacts associated with the production, use and end-of-life disposal of the products it sells.
As a company, we are committed to improving the environmental performance in all our brands within operations and those parts of the supply chain over which we exercise control.
- ensuring compliance with relevant environmental policies and legislation;
- optimising electricity and fuel usage through energy-efficient practices, technological interventions, logistics and fleet management;
- reducing waste by recycling;
- encouraging suppliers to optimally use water, raw materials, energy and packaging in their production processes; and
- selecting energy and water-efficient product lines and minimising end-of-life waste generation by sourcing products which are durable and readily reused, recycled or dismantled at the end of their useful life.
We aim to assign adequate resources and establish accountability at all levels of management. Developing appropriate data collection and management systems for ongoing measurement and monitoring of environmental information. Establishing performance indicators and targets to guide and assess our performance. The group undertakes to report openly on its environmental impact and progress towards meeting goals.
Carbon footprint
A carbon footprint assessment was performed by independent environmental specialists for the financial years ending 31 March 2010 and 2011. The footprint was calculated for Scope 1 and 2 Greenhouse Gas (“GHG”) emissions utilising the Greenhouse Gas (“GHG”) protocol. Scope 1 is the direct impact of the group’s activities – fuel combustion in company vehicles. Scope 2 is indirect emissions resulting from electricity consumption.
Carbon footprint results
The carbon footprint of the Lewis Group in South Africa was estimated at 46 600 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) in the 2011 year. The footprint of the group’s overall operations, including South African and international operations, was in the order of 50 400 tonnes CO2e in the 2011 reporting period. Click here to view
Qualitative assessment of broader environmental issues
A qualitative assessment of several general environmental concerns, including Scope 3 carbon emissions, was undertaken as a supplement to the carbon footprint assessment. The environmental impact of each element in the Lewis Group supply chain was assessed from a life cycle perspective.
- Product manufacture considerations (design; wood usage; minimising hazardous chemical use and green procurement)
- Transport and warehousing
- Packaging
- Retail (energy; paper and water usage)
- Product end-of-life
Actions reducing environmental impacts
- Fuel consumption – is strictly managed by operational procedures, which includes driver training, vehicle inspections and the daily monitoring of fuel usage.
- Electricity consumption – is managed by operational procedures, which includes minimising lighting in stores at night, monitoring the air-conditioning systems usage (i.e. temperature settings) and creating staff awareness. Energy-efficient lighting technology is used in new stores and in the maintenance programmes.
- Material usage – a pilot project is under way to reduce the usage of paper in stores by utilising digital pen and paper technology.
- Recycling – activities include the recycling of printer cartridges and paper.
Targets for emission reduction
Currently the group is not in a position to set emission reduction targets without more history being gathered. Targets will be set after the completion of the next carbon footprint assessment for the 2012 financial year.