Sasol Sustainability Report 2023 - Book - Page 9
INTRODUCTION
SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE AGAINST OUR FOCUS AREAS
DATA AND ASSURANCE
ANNEXURES
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S STATEMENT
The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC)
Strengthening collaboration
with the UNGC
As a committed member of the UNGC, Sasol continued
to foster a strong relationship by actively participating
in the body9s events and initiatives, including those
related to the SDG accelerators. This participation
enhanced our understanding of SDGs and contributed
to their further embedment in our business. We closely
monitored our contribution to our prioritised SDGs 3
8, 9, 12, 13 and 17 3 believing that these are the areas
in which we can play the most constructive role.
In further building our relationship, we participated in
a joint 8UNGC and Sasol day9 to exchange ideas on how
to build on the already strong foundation of
collaboration.
Embedding SDGs
Promise to society
Our approach to sustainability is all inclusive,
embracing the collective and valuing partnerships.
Safety remains a focus area
KEY MESSAGES
Progressing sustainability
initiatives beyond climate change
Fleetwood Grobler // President and Chief Executive Officer
In the face of uncertainty, we have continued to make progress
towards becoming more sustainable.
Dear stakeholders
Heightened global geopolitical and macroeconomic
uncertainty is not just redesigning the way we do
business, but also how and with whom we do
business. This guides us towards a sustainability
approach that is all inclusive, embracing the collective
and valuing partnerships. This holistic approach not
only impacts positively on our decarbonisation,
biodiversity and water journeys9 but also our
communities.
Safety
In 2023, Zero Harm remained elusive, with the tragic
loss of two colleagues while on duty. I wish to again
convey our sincere condolences to the family, friends
and colleagues of Mr Kgauta Mahlaba and
Mr Stiffi Ndlovu. The safety of our people is not only
a material matter for Sasol, but the pursuit of Zero
Harm remains one of our Group top priorities as we
focus on the 8Reset9 phase of our strategy to build a
resilient company. Undertaking our 8Reset9 will be of
little value if we compromise the safety of our people:
further entrenching our 8humanising safety9 initiative,
caring for ourselves and for others, is indeed
paramount.
Going beyond climate change
In FY23, we made progress on our decarbonisation
journey and lowered our emissions by 3,5 million tons
against our 2017 baseline. However, this reduction was
mostly the result of operational challenges and varying
feedstock supply with lower production volumes.
As these production challenges are addressed, so
emissions will increase in the year ahead.
Appreciating the interconnectedness of water use
and biodiversity with climate change, in FY22 we set
short-term water targets and in FY23 undertook
biodiversity footprint assessments at our Secunda
and Sasolburg facilities. While we have made some
progress on our water targets, we realise that we
have to intensify our efforts with regard to fresh and
potable water usage at Sasolburg Ekandustria
Operations. As regards biodiversity, we have just
received the results of the assessments and are
analysing these for a better understanding of both
our positive and negative impacts. While still in its
infancy, in FY23 we progressed our own baseline
understanding of circularity within Sasol.
In delivering our 8Promise to society9, which is to be
a catalyst for positive change, we at Sasol have
undertaken several notable initiatives over the years
that continued to pay dividends to our communities in
FY23. South African women9s football stars Banyana
Banyana whom Sasol has sponsored since 2009, were
crowned African Champions in Morocco, showing that
they truly can #Live the Impossible thanks to the
shared belief in the potential of women9s football.
At the recent women's soccer world cup they
progressed to the last 16 team playoffs.
We continued investing in quality education and
driving excellence in science, technology, engineering
and mathematics education. As examples, in South
Africa this saw more than 4 800 learners from
61 schools participate in the Sasol Energy Innovation
Schools Challenge; in North America, we engaged more
than 500 grade 2 3 5 students in 20 classrooms
through the Chemical Education Foundation; and in
Mozambique, we provided 1 200 science kits with
essential supplies to learners at the Temane and
Mangungumete Primary Schools.
Air quality
We remained committed to complying with legislative
requirements for air quality, as well as being supportive
of government9s policy and regulatory endeavours to
improve air quality. In the year, we continued to
voluntarily engage with government, society and
advisory bodies. To date, we have achieved 98%
compliance with the Minimum Emission Standards.
The outstanding challenge relates to achieving the
concentration-based limit for sulphur dioxide from the
boilers at Secunda Operations. However, we have a
solution that considers an alternative emission load.
SASOL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2023
8
In the year, we applied to the National Air Quality
Officer to be regulated in terms of this solution.
On 11 July 2023, we were informed that the application
had been refused. As provided for in Section 43(1)
of the National Environmental Management Act, 107
of 1998, we submitted an appeal to the Minister of
Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and await an
outcome. We remain confident of our position and
that it will be to greater benefit of South Africa.
Looking forward
While much still needs to be done, I am inspired by
the efforts of Sasol people who 3 in the face of many
uncertainties 3 continue to make progress on various
fronts of sustainability. These uncertainties will be
with us into the new financial year and possibly
beyond, but I am confident that all our people will
undertake their efforts with the same commitment,
passion and vigour, knowing that we are progressing
Sasol on its sustainability journey.
Fleetwood Grobler
President and Chief Executive Officer
30 August 2023