Scope of this report
This report is aligned with our annual integrated
report and covers the period from the beginning
of October 2019 to the end of September
2020. We report on a regional and global basis,
wherever possible presenting data over five years
to make the information relevant, accessible and
comparable. Commentary is provided on graphs to
enhance understanding and specific measurement
criteria – as well as instances where these have
changed – are clearly spelled out.
Reporting framework
As Sappi Limited is headquartered in South
Africa and we have our primary listing on the
JSE, we abide by the King IV Code on Corporate
Governance (King IVTM 1 ). Our annual integrated
report provides a very clear link between
sustainability and strategy and sets out how we
create stakeholder value in a sustainable manner.
Aligning with the GRI
This report has been prepared in line with the
GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) standards in
terms of the core option. The relevant indicators
can be found at People Indicators and Planet
indicators.
Joint ventures
LignoTech South Africa, our 50:50 joint venture
with Borregaard at Saiccor Mill, is excluded from
the Prosperity, People (with the exception of
Safety) and Planet data as we do not manage the
operation.
1 |
Copyright and trademarks are owned by the Institute of Directors in
Southern Africa NPC and all of its rights are reserved. |
Determining materiality
We consider material matters to be those
matters that could facilitate or inhibit our One
Sappi strategy and that could substantively
affect – either positively or negatively – our
ability to create stakeholder value over the short,
medium and long term.
The information presented has been
determined on the basis of our ongoing
extensive engagement with our stakeholders
and has been assessed against the backdrop
of current business operations, as well as the
opportunities, challenges and prevailing trends in
our industry and the global economy within the
context of the global forces shaping our world.
In preparing this report, we have tracked
environmental findings and research, public
opinion, employee views and attitudes, the
interests and priorities of environmental and
social groups, as well as the activities, profiles
and interests of investors, employees, suppliers,
customers, communities, governments and
regulatory authorities.
While we do cover economic (Prosperity) issues
to some extent, these are dealt with in greater
detail in our annual integrated report.
We aim to present information that is material,
accurate, comparable, relevant and complete.
The information presented covers topics and
indicators that reflect our significant economic,
environmental and social impacts, as well as
issues that would substantively influence the
assessments and decisions of stakeholders.
Identifying stakeholders
We have identified the stakeholders we expect
to use our report on the basis of our ongoing
engagement, both formal and informal, with
them. The various ways in which we engage
our stakeholders are set out in the Our key
relationships section. The stakeholders we
expect to use this report include investors,
customers, suppliers, employees, communities,
governmental and non-governmental
organisations, environmental bodies and all
those who are affected by our activities.
External assurance
In 2020, we obtained external limited assurance
on selected sustainability key performance
indicators in this report (please refer to the
Independent Assurance Practitioner’s Limited
Assurance Report on Selected Key Performance
Indicators).
Note: The regional sustainability report for SNA, as well as our corporate citizenship report can be found on www.sappi.com.
Assured data (Sappi group)
Direct emissions
(Scope 1) (tCO2e) |
4,083,122.97LA |
Indirect emissions
(Scope 2) (tCO2e) |
1,196,188.99LA |
Employee (own)
LTIFR (rate) |
0.44LA |
Contractor LTIFR
(rate) |
0.29LA |
LA: Limited assurance provided by KPMG. |
External reviews of our
sustainability performance
Our aim is to be a trusted partner to all our
stakeholders. Our progress in this regard
is highlighted by the fact that in 2020:
- We were confirmed as a constituent of the
FTSE4Good Index Series
- We were rated as Prime by Iss-Oekom, one
of the world’s leading environmental, social
and governance (ESG) research and rating
agencies for sustainable investments
- All three regions – Europe, North America and
Southern Africa – achieved a Platinum Medal in
the Ecovadis Corporate Social (CSR) ratings
- The Platinum rating, a new medal category
created in 2020, recognises the top 1% of
companies evaluated for their environment,
labour and human rights, ethics and
sustainable procurement performance
- We reported to the CDP (www.cdp.net/en)
under its climate change and forest
programmes, making our responses publicly
available