Online Reporter
BAT Zimbabwe has released its inaugural Sustainability Report, highlighting progress across key sustainability priorities including socio-economic contribution, gender diversity, climate action and circularity.
During the reporting period, the company contributed US$34.7 million to Zimbabwe’s socio-economic development through payments to various stakeholders.
The 2024 Sustainability Report also records a 46 percent representation of women in management roles, surpassing the company’s target of 45 percent by 2025.
Additionally, overall female representation within the organisation increased from 15 percent in 2023 to 20 percent in 2024.
On climate action, BAT Zimbabwe reported a 26.7 percent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2024, progressing towards its target of a 50 percent reduction by 2030 (based on a 2020 baseline). This was achieved through the adoption of energy-efficient systems and improvements in operational processes.
The company also recycled 93.9 percent of its total waste and maintained its zero-waste-to-landfill status, first achieved in 2023.
In terms of water stewardship, BAT Zimbabwe reduced water withdrawal from its operations by 46 percent in 2024, compared to 37 percent in 2023 (based on a 2017 baseline).
Of the 6 880m³ withdrawn, 6.6 percent was recycled, up from 4.7 percent in 2023.
The company’s efforts were recognised with core standard certification under the Alliance for Water Stewardship — making BAT Zimbabwe the first company in the country to receive this recognition.
This affirms its alignment with global best practices and Good Water Governance.
“Sustainability is at the core of our operations at BAT Zimbabwe, and the publication of our inaugural Sustainability Report is a key milestone reflecting our commitment to responsible business practices, including transparency and accountability.
“I am pleased to report that we are progressing well across our sustainability priorities, under our strategic impact areas of climate, nature, circularity and communities.
Key highlights include positive contributions to socio-economic development, gender diversity, carbon emissions reduction, water stewardship and waste management — where we have achieved some of our goals ahead of schedule.
“As testament to our progress, BAT Zimbabwe was recognised in 2024 by various external organisations and received several awards, including the Best Shareholder Treatment Award from 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.
With our strategic pillars — driving Quality Growth, shaping a Sustainable Future, and building a Dynamic Business — alongside the contribution of our dedicated employees and the support of our stakeholders, I am confident that BAT Zimbabwe will continue to create shared value now and into the future,” BAT Zimbabwe Managing Director, Ken Gitonga, said.
