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Safaricom Sustainability Report 2016
55
FY16
FY15
FY14
Environmental Impact Assessments
463
260
185
Environmental Audits
342
275
349
The hike in the number of EIAs conducted during the year, from 260 in
the previous year to 463 during the period under review, reflects the
increased deployment of small cell BTS sites throughout our network.
Likewise, the increase in EAs conducted during the year reflects our
decision to audit our older BTS sites (those built in 2008 and 2009) to
measure our compliance levels.
Slow progress in water and waste management
One of our ongoing objectives is to make our facilities as environmentally
friendly and efficient as possible. Last year, we commissioned an
independent assessment of the water footprint and carried out an
internal audit of the solid waste streams of our main facilities (Safaricom
House, the Jambo Contact Centre and the Safaricom Care Centre).
Although both the assessment and audit have been completed, we
have yet to set target based upon its recommendations as our data
collection remains incomplete; for instance, we still need to segregate
and measure waste streams.
We have made some progress, nonetheless, the water piping system
was repaired to reduce water leakages and daily monitoring of water
was also started (in place of monthly readings), which is helping us
to understand consumption patterns and to identify abnormalities
that require immediate attention. We plan to implement the
recommendations of the audit and assessment in the year ahead.
Looking ahead
One of our key focuses in the year ahead will be on the implications
of the new international climate agreement made at COP21 in Paris
late last year. We are planning to launch several internal and external
initiatives in response. Internally, we plan to develop and implement a
renewable energy and climate change policy to guide our initiatives
and responses. The focus will be on finding ways to further reduce our
carbon footprint primarily and, externally, we will seek to partner with
likeminded organisations and help to provide thought leadership and
raise awareness of this important issue within the region.
Last year, Safaricom also joined several other companies associated
with the B team to announce their aspiration to aim for net-zero
greenhouse-gas emissions by 2050. The B team is an initiative formed by
a global group of business leaders led to catalyse a better way of doing
business, for the wellbeing of people and the planet. For successful
implementation and ownership, we will carry out environment and
energy management awareness and training across the business.
FY17 GOALS
ü
Deliver 2 water conservation
awareness campaigns and
reduce our water consumption
by 10%.
ü
Achieve 100% compliance
to NEMA water pollution
standards and successfully
implement the solid waste
management programme.
ü
Reduce our carbon load and
energy consumption by 10%.
ü
Grow our community-based
renewable energy projects
from 320,000 to 500,000
households.