Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. TOBACCO firm, British American Tobacco Zimbabwe (BATZ) has revealed that it injected directly and indirectly US$34,7 million into the economy in 2024, as it released its inaugural standalone Sustainability Report 2024.
BATZ released its inaugural Sustainability Report, highlighting progress in its performance across various sustainability priorities.
This includes socio-economic contribution, gender diversity, climate action and circularity.
In November 2023, the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange Holdings mandated that listed firms report on sustainability for financial years commencing on or after January 1, 2024.
“During the year, the company contributed to Zimbabwe’s socio-economic development by injecting a total of US$34,7 million as payments to various stakeholders,” BATZ said in a statement.
In a breakdown of the injection, BATZ spent US$14,3 million on taxes paid, being excise duty, value-added tax, pay as you earn and corporate tax.
The firm also spent another US$0,5 million on dividends, employee salaries/wages and benefits (US$4,8 million), payment to distributors and traders (US$8 million) and payments for various goods and services (US$7,1 million).
“Additionally, the 2024 Sustainability Report records a 46% representation of women in management roles, surpassing its target to achieve 45% by 2025. Further, representation of women within the entire organisation over the past year grew from 15% in 2023 to 20% in 2024,” BATZ said.
“On climate action, BAT Zimbabwe reports a 26,7% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in 2024, against a target to achieve a 50% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 2030 (vs 2020 baseline). This was achieved through adoption of energy-efficient systems and operational process improvements.
“Additionally, the company recycled 93,9% 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“On the water stewardship front, the company reduced water withdrawn from its operations by 46% in 2024, compared to 37% in 2023 versus 2017 baseline. Of the 6 880m3 withdrawn, 6,6% was recycled compared to 4,7% in 2023.”
The company’s water stewardship efforts were recognised in the same year, with BATZ receiving core standard certification under the Alliance for Water Stewardship—the first company in Zimbabwe to receive the certification.
This affirms the company’s compliance and alignment with global best practices and good water governance.
“Sustainability is at the core of our operations at BAT Zimbabwe and as such, publication of the company’s inaugural Sustainability Report is a key milestone that reflects our commitment to responsible business practices, including transparency and accountability,” BATZ managing director Kenneth Gitonga said.
“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 to the socioeconomic 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.”
He said that as a testament to its progress, BATZ was recognised in 2024 by various external parties and received several awards.
These include the Best Shareholder Treatment Award issued by the Corporate Governance Institute and the Zimbabwe National Environment, Social and Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility Award.
“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,” Gitonga said.
“On the back of our strategic pillars: driving quality growth, shaping a sustainable future, and building a dynamic business, the contribution of our dedicated employees, and the support of our stakeholders, I am confident that BAT Zimbabwe will continue to create shared value for its stakeholders, now and in the future.”
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