Environmental Footprint
Barloworld is committed to taking a leading role in environmental stewardship and we look to limit our direct environmental impacts through management programmes across our divisions.
This is consistent with the group’s Value-based Management approach and aligns with its identification of Sustainable Development as a strategic focus area. Internally, aspects identified as being material are natural resources protection; non-renewable energy consumption and related greenhouse gas emissions; water consumption, recycling and disposal of hazardous material.
Consequently, we are committed to conducting our operations in an environmentally responsible manner and providing integrated customer solutions that assist our customers to achieve their environmental objectives.
Integrated Customer Solutions
We largely represents OEMs and remain mindful of environmental stewaredship as we engage with our suppliers and customers such a manner that every effort is expended in ensuring that the products we represents and our customer solutions comply with the highest environmental standards and are used in a manner that limits their impact on the environment.
Climate Change
Appreciating the causal link between carbon emissions and climate change, we have set targets are for energy and GHG emissions efficiency improvements. Our commitment to improving energy efficiency in respect of fossil fuels and the resulting GHG emissions is underpinned by the group being an early signatory to South Africa’s Energy Efficiency Accord and signatory to the South Africa’s National Business Initiative’s Energy Efficiency Pledge.
Targets
In 2009 we set an overall aspirational target of a 12% energy efficiency improvement of its non-renewable energy consumption by the end of its 2014 financial year, off a 2009 base line year against a business as usual scenario. The target is applicable to its material energy sources which are petrol and diesel as well as to purchased electricity generated by fossil fuels.
The group has adopted a similar approach for emissions (scope 1 and 2) as these predominantly result from the consumption of fossil fuels and the purchase of fossil fuel generated electricity.
These targets are incorporated into our strategic planning process and the ongoing management of the business, including performance scorecards.
Monitoring and reporting
In accordance with our climate change policy, we measure, monitor and report aspects of our business that contribute to climate change and we strive to reduce, minimise and offset these activities. We also report in terms of the Global Responsible Reporting Initiative (GRI G3.1) guidelines and participate in the Carbon Disclosure Project reporting initiatives (the group has also completed the Investor CDP 2012 and Water CDP 2012. As a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, Barloworld also submits an annual COP report.
Materials Used
Materials are sourced from OEMs and other suppliers and are used to support the retail and service nature of the group’s operations.
Materials used which are considered to have a high impact on the environment are monitored and reported. Whilst overall consumption is reported, internal measures distinguish between direct (own) and indirect (customer) consumption. This is being refined and provides important indicative patterns of consumption which, as can be expected, depend on the material.
Apart from its Remanufacture and Rebuild activities, as Barloworld predominantly represents OEMs and principals, the opportunities for using recycled materials are limited. Relatively significant items are paper and re-treaded tyres.
Waste
The group does not generate significant volumes of waste. Both hazardous and non-hazardous waste streams are monitored by type, volume, disposal method and destination.
Used oil and other hazardous waste are disposed of through certified contractors.
A critical aspect of the group’s waste management and product life cycle stewardship addresses extending product usage. This includes ensuring that products have a number of useful lives, Remanufacture and Rebuild programmes.
Policies
Appropriate policies reflect that guide the group in this regard include:
Links
Read more on our Barloworld Environmental Policy, Barloworld Climate Change Policy and Barloworld Water Use Policy, as well as: