Sasol Sustainability Report 2023 - Book - Page 8
INTRODUCTION
SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE AGAINST OUR FOCUS AREAS
DATA AND ASSURANCE
ANNEXURES
SOCIAL AND ETHICS REPORT OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SSEC
Progressing our ESG ambition
As we are resetting, we remain firmly on
our path to becoming more sustainable.
Focus on safety remains paramount
KEY MESSAGES
Progressing our ESG ambition
Top of our sector second year in a
row for sustainability disclosures
Fully committed to the Principles of
the United Nations Global Compact
In recognition of our continued improvement in
transparency of non-financial disclosures, Integrated
Reporting & Assurance Services in South Africa
announced Sasol as being the top of our sector for
sustainability disclosures. Similarly, our biodiversity
disclosures were ranked seventh out of 294 JSE-listed
companies and state-owned enterprises in the latest
Biodiversity Disclosure Report released in June 2023.
Despite this strong showing, we acknowledge the
considerable task to ensure a more positive impact
on biodiversity. We also increased our DJSI score from
54 to 62 and remain on track for further
improvements in the years to come.
The Ten Principles and the Sustainable
Development Goals
Muriel Dube //
Chairperson of the Safety, Social and Ethics Committee (SSEC)
As we reset our unmatched Fischer-Tropsch technology, considerable
human and intellectual capital is an important bedrock for our further
progress in executing actions to support a just transition as part of
our overall sustainability journey.
Dear stakeholders
Implementing credible actions towards a
platform that will facilitate the fulfilment of
our decarbonisation targets including further
development of our thinking towards a just
transition, was foremost in 2023. Overall, Sasol
continued to progress a more holistic approach to
sustainability, moving beyond a predominant focus
on addressing climate change. We undertook our
first Biodiversity Footprint Assessment at both
Secunda and Sasolburg and tracked our progress
against the short-term water targets set last year.
These actions contributed to our improved
environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings
and inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability
Index (DJSI).
We continue to measure our contribution to our
prioritised Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
and, in that way, support the United Nations Decade
of Action. Globally, rapidly evolving operating
contexts are impacting strategies with increased
necessity for unparalleled agility. We have grasped
this as an opportunity to foster an innovative
mindset as an essential part of advancing our
contribution in the respective SDGs as we move the
company along an unprecedented decarbonisation
journey. As we reset, our unmatched FT technology,
considerable human and intellectual capital is an
important bedrock for our further progress in
executing actions to support a just transition as part
of our overall sustainability journey.
Committed to Zero Harm
Global sustainability reporting standards
The tragic and unacceptable loss of two of our
colleagues in work related fatalities points to a
deeply concerning deficiency in our attainment of
Zero Harm. The Safety, Social and Ethics Committee
(SSEC) further intensified efforts, through
management, to improve overall safety through the
8humanising safety9 initiative aimed at ensuring that
each Sasol team member always performs a task
with safety in mind. While this yielded some gains,
it clearly requires a more diligent implementation
approach. The CEO and executive management9s
commitment to keep driving the correct safety
culture and behaviour, remains paramount.
Several new international sustainability reporting
standards will become applicable to our business in
the near future. These include, but are not limited to,
the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive
and its rules known as the European Sustainability
Reporting Standards; the United States Securities
Exchange Commission Rules; and the rules of the
International Sustainability Standards Board.
Ensuring compliance will require thoughtful
integration into current processes with the goal of
enhancing and improving disclosure. It is for this
reason that we established a working group focused
on this integration.
SASOL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2023
7
In our continuous efforts to drive a holistic
sustainability approach, Sasol acknowledges the
landmark decision taken at the fifth session of the
UN Environmental Assembly (UNEA 5.2) to develop
an internationally legally binding instrument (ILBI)
to end plastic pollution. We recognise that plastic
pollution is a global problem and is best addressed
by utilising a coordinated and globally aligned
response. Additionally, we note that the business
community will play an integral role in the
implementation of the ILBI objectives and as a result,
we are working closely with industry bodies and
other stakeholders to contribute to the
Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC)
regarding the development of the Treaty by the end
of 2024.
Targeting gender equality
In furthering gender equality, we included measures
to track pay equity as part of a 10-point plan to
achieve our diversity objectives in the year under
review. It is encouraging that we increased the
representation of African and Coloured women
across all role categories in South Africa as well as
their inclusion in succession plans for senior
leadership and in critical roles. Our women networks
such as the 'Women in Operations' and 'Women in
Mining' supported efforts to ensure diversity, equity,
inclusion and belonging throughout Sasol.
In closing
Reflecting on progress in 2023, the company9s
sustainability journey is ever maturing. Having
successfully undertaken several initiatives during a
very trying period is testament to the commitment of
Sasol9s people. I am confident that the SSEC fulfilled
its mandate as required by the Companies Act 71 of
2008 and that there were no instances of material
non-compliance with applicable ESG laws and
regulations. My sincerest appreciation to Team Sasol,
including Board colleagues for their commitment to
advancing the company9s sustainability efforts. Our
stakeholder engagement remains a vital input to our
work and our sustainability journey.
Muriel Dube
Chairperson of the SSEC
30 August 2023