Vodacom has been recognised as a best performer company on the JSE's Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) Index, in the 'low environmental impact' category. Vodacom is the only ICT company to be awarded this status.
The exchange released its annual SRI Index review for 2011 in Durban, in parallel with the COP17 climate change conference. The Index, which reviewed 109 companies, including the JSE's biggest, consists of listed companies that meet criteria related to their environmental, social and governance policies, management practices and reporting.
The SRI Index was introduced in 2004, and is based on principles of the triple bottom line integrated with sound corporate governance. It serves as a guide for investors and a benchmark for companies looking to improve their corporate responsibility.
Best performers are companies that meet their relevant environmental threshold, their core indicators for societal, governance and related sustainability concerns, as well as all climate change criteria.
This is the third consecutive year that Vodacom has been included on the SRI Index, and its first as a best performer.
Portia Maurice, Vodacom's chief officer for corporate affairs, says: “We recognise that sustainability has long since evolved from being a corporate 'nice to have' to being an integral part of our strategy and approach to business.”
The operator has committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 5% every year and recently achieved a six-star Green Star rating for the Vodafone Innovation Centre building in Midrand.
Maurice notes that investors across the globe are concerned about 'business as usual' policies which have negative impacts on the environment and societies in which they operate.
“There has been a shift in companies adopting more sustainable practices by identifying their impacts on the environment and implementing strategies to minimise them,” she adds. “Investors are looking to invest in companies that are displaying responsible corporate citizenship.”
She says both the private and public sectors are looking for innovative ways in which to combat climate change, and have recognised that the ICT industry has an important role to play in enabling a low-carbon future.
“With technologies like video conferencing, telecommuting and machine-to-machine applications such as smart logistics, smart metering, smart grids and smart cities, the ICT industry can enable other industries to reduce their environmental impacts and CO2 emissions.”
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