Second mobile operator MTN has once again been listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange's (JSE) Social Responsibility Index (SRI), following its increased focus on energy management during the year.
The SRI Index was launched by the Johannesburg bourse in 2004 to measure the sustainability performance of companies on the FTSE/JSE All Share Index.
Issues pertaining to social responsibility are getting increased attention from South African companies seeking to comply with King governance codes and black economic empowerment requirements.
Specifically, MTN exceeded minimum performance requirements with respect to energy management, emissions, waste management and water use. The index also found that MTN has improved its performance with respect to requirements for climate change and environmental management.
Earlier this year, the operator unveiled the 2MW methane-driven plant at its 14th Avenue headquarters, in Fairlands, Johannesburg, as a self-sustaining power supply initiative.
The plant is powered by methane gas, which travels from the Mozambique coast, via Secunda and Sasol to Egoli Gas. A grid at the MTN Campus, in Johannesburg, is connected to Egoli Gas to transport the gas down a pipeline to the tri-generation plant that is under construction below the phase two building.
Once the plant is fully operational and producing 2MW of power, MTN says it expects a return on its investment of R22 million within a five-year period.
The operator also performed well in the area of training and development, setting a minimum expenditure of approximately 5% to 6% of its labour budget on training and development.
In the area of black economic empowerment, MTN met all the indicators set out by the SRI Index.
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