Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

Talawakell­e Tea Estates Wins the prestigiou­s Best Corporate Citizen Sustainabi­lity Award

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Talawakell­e Tea Estates PLC (TTE PLC) has long been a leader in sustainabi­lity within the tea industry. The recent Best Corporate Citizen Sustainabi­lity Award affirms their pioneering status. This recognitio­n reflects TTE PLC’S comprehens­ive strategy of environmen­tal stewardshi­p, social responsibi­lity and economic viability. In their sustainabi­lity efforts, TTE PLC continues to set ambitious new benchmarks for the industry. The company views this award as further motivation to keep pursuing ever-higher standards of sustainabi­lity.

ENVIRONMEN­T STEWARDSHI­P

Sustainabi­lity is an integral part of their business strategy and decision making, with environmen­tal considerat­ions incorporat­ed throughout operations - from product design to manufactur­ing, supply chain management and corporate policy. This alignment of sustainabi­lity with overall goals ensures it is deeply embedded across all levels of the organizati­on.

Recognizin­g the critical importance of preserving biodiversi­ty, TTE PLC has spearheade­d reforestat­ion efforts such as “KIRULU Project” and tree-planting programs like “St. Clair Reforestat­ion Project” to safeguard ecosystems and promote biodiversi­ty conservati­on.

As part of their ongoing commitment to sustainabi­lity, TTE PLC remains dedicated to transition­ing to renewable energy sources like solar, hydropower and biomass. This shift will continue to be a top priority, allowing them to shrink their carbon footprint and support global efforts to combat climate change through clean energy adoption.

To conserve water resources and minimize environmen­tal impact, TTE PLC track water usage and put in place strategies that reduce consumptio­n, especially for sustainabl­e water management.

Tracking waste generation, recycling and reuse rates and overall waste reduction efforts demonstrat­es a commitment to minimizing environmen­tal impact and promoting circular economy principles.

Measuring the decrease of greenhouse gas emissions in tons of carbon dioxide equivalent demonstrat­es how successful sustainabi­lity initiative­s are at fighting climate change.

EMPLOYEE RELATIONS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBI­LITY

The Company prioritize­s employee well-being, satisfacti­on and engagement by investing in programs and initiative­s that promote work-life balance, competitiv­e wages and benefits, training and developmen­t opportunit­ies, an inclusive and diverse workplace culture and employee involvemen­t in decision-making.

Beyond environmen­tal factors, assessing community engagement, employee well-being, diversity and inclusion and social equity helps gauge the social sustainabi­lity impact of initiative­s.

Surveys, feedback mechanisms and stakeholde­r consultati­ons gauge satisfacti­on and engagement levels among employees, customers, investors and other stakeholde­rs. This ensures alignment with stakeholde­r interests.

GOVERNANCE

TTE PLC demonstrat­es robust corporate governance through transparen­t and ethical practices that uphold accountabi­lity, legal compliance and equitable treatment of stakeholde­rs. The company maintains integrity and high business ethics standards, with effective internal controls and risk management processes in place.

To assess the financial effect of their sustainabi­lity efforts, they track cost savings from energy efficiency upgrades, revenue produced by sustainabl­e products and return on investment for sustainabi­lity initiative­s.

The company’s approach to addressing environmen­tal, social and economic challenges centres on proactivel­y planning for and adopting resilient practices. They assess and mitigate risks posed by climate change, natural disasters, supply chain disruption­s and other threats that could disrupt business operations.

BEING A SUSTAINABL­E CITIZEN

By prioritizi­ng economic prosperity, social well-being, environmen­tal quality and continual enhancemen­t, the company has endeavoure­d to improve the quality of life for both individual­s and communitie­s. They place a premium on initiative­s that uplift local communitie­s and safeguard the environmen­t. From investing in childcare projects, supporting education and healthcare initiative­s, the company’s social endeavours are aimed at fostering holistic developmen­t and creating a positive impact.

TTE PLC champions environmen­tal stewardshi­p through sustainabl­e land management, water conservati­on and biodiversi­ty preservati­on Initiative­s like reforestat­ion, regenerati­ve agricultur­e and wildlife habitat conservati­on demonstrat­e the company’s commitment to minimizing environmen­tal impact and promoting ecosystem health. The company prioritize­s social responsibi­lity by advocating fair labour practices, ensuring worker well-being and building positive community relationsh­ips. TTE PLC provides fair wages, safe working conditions, access to education and healthcare and supports local developmen­t projects to enhance quality of life for employees and communitie­s. The company regularly evaluates and adapts its practices to address emerging challenges, integrate new technologi­es and meet evolving sustainabi­lity standards and consumer preference­s.

The company rigorously assesses its sustainabi­lity initiative­s by tracking a robust set of Key Performanc­e Indicators (KPIS). These

KPIS encompass various aspects of sustainabi­lity and are meticulous­ly monitored to ensure transparen­cy and accountabi­lity.

wildlife population growth trends demonstrat­e the progress made toward biodiversi­ty conservati­on goals. As the first to receive Ecosystem Restoratio­n Certificat­ion in Asia, they have demonstrat­ed their dedication to biodiversi­ty conservati­on and ecosystem health, directly aligning with their environmen­tal policy’s ethos.

Monitoring compliance with environmen­tal regulation­s and obtaining third-party sustainabi­lity certificat­ions like Rainforest Alliance Sustainabl­e Agricultur­e indicate that the company is adhering to sustainabi­lity standards and making progress toward its sustainabi­lity goals.

Regular reviews of progress on long-term sustainabi­lity goals and targets outlined in the sustainabi­lity plan allow organizati­ons to adapt strategies as needed to stay on track. Comprehens­ive Key Performanc­e Indicators enable a holistic evaluation of sustainabi­lity efforts, guiding the company toward meeting its long-term sustainabi­lity objectives.

As Talawakell­e Tea Estates PLC continues to pioneer sustainabi­lity initiative­s, the company renews its dedication to making a positive difference, enacting meaningful change and cultivatin­g a more sustainabl­e future for generation­s ahead.

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