Online Reporter
- Contributes US$34,7 million to the economy
- 46pc representation of women in management roles
- 26,7pc reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions
Herald Correspondent
BAT Zimbabwe has released its inaugural Sustainability Report, highlighting progress in its performance across various sustainability priorities, including socio-economic contribution, gender diversity, climate action, and circularity. During the year, the company contributed to Zimbabwe’s socio-economic development by injecting US$34.7 million as payments to various stakeholders.
Additionally, the 2024 Sustainability Report records a 46 percent representation of women in management roles, surpassing its target to achieve 45 percent by 2025. Further, the representation of women within the entire organisation over the past year grew from 15 percent in 2023 to 20 percent in 2024.
On climate action, BAT Zimbabwe reports a 26.7 percent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2024, against a target to achieve a 50 percent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 2030 (versus a 2020 baseline).
This was achieved through the adoption of energy-efficient systems and operational process improvements.
BAT Zimbabwe Chairman Lovemore T Manatsa (left); Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Manager Phyllis Chenjera and Managing Director Kenneth Gitonga (right) unveil the Company’s inaugural Sustainability Report published this week.
Additionally, the company recycled 93,9 percent of its total waste and maintained a zero-waste-to-landfill status, which was initially achieved in 2023.
On the water stewardship front, the company reduced water withdrawn from its operations by 46 percent in 2024, compared to 37 percent in 2023 versus a 2017 baseline.
Of the 6 880 m³ withdrawn, 6,6 percent was recycled, compared to 4.7 percent in 2023. The company’s water stewardship efforts were recognised in the same year, with BAT Zimbabwe receiving core standard certification under the Alliance for Water Stewardship—the first company in Zimbabwe to receive this certification. This affirms the company’s compliance and alignment with global best practices and good water governance.
BAT Zimbabwe Managing Director Ken Gitonga said:
“Sustainability is at the core of our operations at BAT Zimbabwe, and as such, the publication of the company’s inaugural Sustainability Report is a key milestone that reflects our commitment to responsible business practices, including transparency and accountability.
“I am pleased to state that we are tracking at pace on our sustainability priorities, under our strategic impact areas of climate, nature, circularity, and communities. Key highlights include a positive impact on socio-economic development, gender diversity, reduction of carbon emissions, water stewardship, and waste management, where we have achieved some of the goals and ambitions ahead of time.
“Testament to our progress, BAT Zimbabwe was recognised in 2024 by various external parties and received several awards, including the Best Shareholder Treatment Award issued by the Corporate Governance Institute; the Zimbabwe National Environment, Social and Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility Award from the ESG Network Zimbabwe; and certification as a Top Employer for the seventh consecutive year by the global Top Employers Institute.
“Looking ahead, we continue to collaborate with various partners to build a future-fit enterprise, anchored on the BAT Group’s purpose to create A Better Tomorrow™ by building A Smokeless World. On the back of our strategic pillars—driving Quality Growth, shaping a Sustainable Future, and building a Dynamic Business—I am confident that BAT Zimbabwe will continue to create shared value for its stakeholders, now and in the future.”
