The environment, social responsibility and governance, better known as ESG in corporate speak, is about far more than ticking boxes, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in South Africa (Ciltsa) says.
“It is an initiative to build credibility, foster investment and enable effective monitoring and disclosure of performance.”
From a freight point of view, Ciltsa adds that “the transport, logistics and supply chain industries are particularly impacted by ESG and are under increasing pressure to create tangible and sustained outcomes that drive value and growth, whilst strengthening the environment and communities.”
It is with this in mind that Ciltsa is organising a half-day event for the industry, titled ‘Demystifying the ESG landscape for people in logistics, transport and supply chain’, on July 21 at the Imperial Wanderers Stadium in Illovo, Johannesburg.
“Over 90% of companies’ carbon footprint is located in the supply chain, with almost 30% of this emanating from transport and logistics,” explains Elvin Harris, the president of Ciltsa.
“Our sector, therefore, has a lot of work to do to explore, implement and drive sustainability programmes.”
More importantly, Harris emphasised that “the economic pressure the Covid-19 pandemic has placed on some industries has affected companies’ exposure to ESG risks and their ability to manage them”.
“Companies face rising complexities and greater scrutiny if they are not adequately managing their ESG or climate risk. Investors are increasingly applying these non-financial factors as part of their analysis process to identify material risks and growth opportunities.”
For more information about this event in July, contact Catherine Larkin: catherine@cvlc.co.za
