CONTRIBUTING TO A

SUSTAINABLE FUTURE (THE UN SDGs)

CONTRIBUTING TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE (THE UN SDGs)

CLIMATE ACTION

SAICA OBJECTIVES

Reduce SAICA’s carbon footprint:
  • Sources of emissions:
    • Direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the organisation – burning of diesel fuel through electricity generation using a standby generator and use of the SAICA fleet for delivery and collections through messenger services
    • Indirect emissions from purchased electricity from the power utility
    • Other sources, including travel to and from work and business travel
  • Reduce the impacts of climate change by adopting ISO 14001
  • Water use efficiency:
    • Installing ablution basin water faucets that discharge half a litre per minute for washing hands
    • Creating a dual plumbing system: using borehole water to wash hands and recycle for at least 1,6 times before discarding to waste as well as grey water harvesting are planned for 2023
  • Energy efficiency:
    • Continuous maintenance using LED lighting
    • Installing a technology that will automatically switch off air-conditioning system and lighting when boardrooms are unoccupied; the usage of natural lighting where possible
  • Investment in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydropower – invest in a grid-tied solar system for the Head Office building that will drive activities during the day and supply minimal energy at night. Prioritising investment in infrastructure and technology
    • Seek opportunities to invest in green building status for the SAICA Campus
    • Make an investment in a building management system to streamline operations and minimise the need for human intervention
  • Recycling of waste:
    • Continue recycling dry waste
    • Limit use of non-biodegradable materials – the reduction of drinking water bottles by replacing them with water coolers has been implemented and is yielding results
  • Reduce paper usage

CLIMATE ACTION

SAICA OBJECTIVES

Reduce SAICA’s carbon footprint:
  • Sources of emissions:
    • Direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the organisation – burning of diesel fuel through electricity generation using a standby generator and use of the SAICA fleet for delivery and collections through messenger services
    • Indirect emissions from purchased electricity from the power utility
    • Other sources, including travel to and from work and business travel
  • Reduce the impacts of climate change by adopting ISO 14001
  • Water use efficiency:
    • Installing ablution basin water faucets that discharge half a litre per minute for washing hands
    • Creating a dual plumbing system: using borehole water to wash hands and recycle for at least 1,6 times before discarding to waste as well as grey water harvesting are planned for 2023
  • Energy efficiency:
    • Continuous maintenance using LED lighting
    • Installing a technology that will automatically switch off air-conditioning system and lighting when boardrooms are unoccupied; the usage of natural lighting where possible
  • Investment in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydropower – invest in a grid-tied solar system for the Head Office building that will drive activities during the day and supply minimal energy at night. Prioritising investment in infrastructure and technology
    • Seek opportunities to invest in green building status for the SAICA Campus
    • Make an investment in a building management system to streamline operations and minimise the need for human intervention
  • Recycling of waste:
    • Continue recycling dry waste
    • Limit use of non-biodegradable materials – the reduction of drinking water bottles by replacing them with water coolers has been implemented and is yielding results
  • Reduce paper usage

Key activities in 2022 and impact / difference made

INTERNAL

  • Water reduction
    • Water usage: 5 574,33 kl (2021: 9 537,1 kl)
  • Paper reduction
    • Due to work-from-home, we have seen a drastic reduction in paper usage at SAICA offices
    • The usage of paper for mass production of camp materials to support the SAICA pipeline project remains a challenge, but can be mitigated by the distribution of ICT computers to learners on a temporary basis during these sessions
    • Electronic signatures were introduced to reduce the use of paper and a project initiated to scan physical documents to a server
  • Electricity usage
    • Electricity usage: 727 113,81 kWh (2021: 653 737,9 kWh)
  • Carbon footprint: Total CO2 emissions:
    • The standby generator emitted 33,34 tCO2e and electricity purchased emitted 843,45 tCO2e
    • Diesel usage − 12 230,05 litres (2021: 830 litres). This is due to escalated load-shedding
    • Smart energy meters have been installed to help with record-keeping on any electrical activities in the Head Office building
    • The SAICA Eastern Region (KZN) has been equipped with a full solar system with storage

By formalising an internal strategy to respond to environmental protection, SAICA will accelerate its response to climate action and enable the ability to measure progress against objectives through defined KPIs The Economic Blueprint spearheaded by SAICA and its members will act as a catalyst to bring about meaningful change in response to the global challenge of climate change

  • Initiatives planned for 2023
    • Formalise an environmental management policy
    • Expand oversight responsibilities of SETCo in terms of the SAICA environmental protection strategy
    • As part of the SAICA strategy refresh taking place in 2023, ESG and sustainability levers will be formalised, targets defined in both the short and long term, and performance measures included in balanced scorecards
    • A climate risk assessment will be undertaken to identify opportunities and mitigating actions
    • Change management and communications will be rolled out to foster an environmentally aware culture
    • Achieve a saving of 10% in total water usage
    • Achieve a saving of 5% in total electricity consumption
    • Achieve a 10% saving in diesel usage
    • SAICA will commit to quantifying its Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) protocol.

Key activities in 2022 and impact / difference made

INTERNAL

  • Water reduction
    • Water usage: 5 574,33 kl (2021: 9 537,1 kl)
  • Paper reduction
    • Due to work-from-home, we have seen a drastic reduction in paper usage at SAICA offices
    • The usage of paper for mass production of camp materials to support the SAICA pipeline project remains a challenge, but can be mitigated by the distribution of ICT computers to learners on a temporary basis during these sessions
    • Electronic signatures were introduced to reduce the use of paper and a project initiated to scan physical documents to a server
  • Electricity usage
    • Electricity usage: 727 113,81 kWh (2021: 653 737,9 kWh)
  • Carbon footprint: Total CO2 emissions:
    • The standby generator emitted 33,34 tCO2e and electricity purchased emitted 843,45 tCO2e
    • Diesel usage − 12 230,05 litres (2021: 830 litres). This is due to escalated load-shedding
    • Smart energy meters have been installed to help with record-keeping on any electrical activities in the Head Office building
    • The SAICA Eastern Region (KZN) has been equipped with a full solar system with storage

By formalising an internal strategy to respond to environmental protection, SAICA will accelerate its response to climate action and enable the ability to measure progress against objectives through defined KPIs The Economic Blueprint spearheaded by SAICA and its members will act as a catalyst to bring about meaningful change in response to the global challenge of climate change

  • Initiatives planned for 2023
    • Formalise an environmental management policy
    • Expand oversight responsibilities of SETCo in terms of the SAICA environmental protection strategy
    • As part of the SAICA strategy refresh taking place in 2023, ESG and sustainability levers will be formalised, targets defined in both the short and long term, and performance measures included in balanced scorecards
    • A climate risk assessment will be undertaken to identify opportunities and mitigating actions
    • Change management and communications will be rolled out to foster an environmentally aware culture
    • Achieve a saving of 10% in total water usage
    • Achieve a saving of 5% in total electricity consumption
    • Achieve a 10% saving in diesel usage
    • SAICA will commit to quantifying its Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) protocol.

Key activities in 2022 and impact / difference made

EXTERNAL

  • Formalisation of the Sustainability Technical Committee to provide thought leadership and education to SAICA members regarding the SDGs to enable SAICA to join global standard-setters
  • Submission made to the ISSB on climate change
  • Regular communication of climate change matters to members
  • SAICA participated at the global sustainability initiatives relating to net-zero commitments
  • Progress on member feedback in response to the invitation to submit their views on climate change and biodiversity to help shape SAICA’s response strategy to these issues
  • As part of the Economic Recovery Conference held in KZN on 14 November 2022, nine challenges to building a resilient South Africa were identified, one of them being increasing environmental vulnerability. SAICA, in collaboration with its members, will be devising a strategic roadmap in response to this challenge
  • SAICA Standards presented webinars and supported a member on a voyage through the Amazon Basin (read more). The main aim was to bring awareness about the impact of climate change on the delta and assist in its fund-raising initiatives to bring corporate South Africa in a position where it contributes in terms of donations to fund further research in this area as well as investing in their own climate-related activities
  • Submission and presentation to Parliament’s Standing Committee on Finance and Standing Committee on Appropriations regarding the dilapidated state of sewage and water treatment plans and the lack of proper budgeting for repair costs

Key activities in 2022 and impact / difference made

EXTERNAL

  • Formalisation of the Sustainability Technical Committee to provide thought leadership and education to SAICA members regarding the SDGs to enable SAICA to join global standard-setters
  • Submission made to the ISSB on climate change
  • Regular communication of climate change matters to members
  • SAICA participated at the global sustainability initiatives relating to net-zero commitments
  • Progress on member feedback in response to the invitation to submit their views on climate change and biodiversity to help shape SAICA’s response strategy to these issues
  • As part of the Economic Recovery Conference held in KZN on 14 November 2022, nine challenges to building a resilient South Africa were identified, one of them being increasing environmental vulnerability. SAICA, in collaboration with its members, will be devising a strategic roadmap in response to this challenge
  • SAICA Standards presented webinars and supported a member on a voyage through the Amazon Basin (read more). The main aim was to bring awareness about the impact of climate change on the delta and assist in its fund-raising initiatives to bring corporate South Africa in a position where it contributes in terms of donations to fund further research in this area as well as investing in their own climate-related activities
  • Submission and presentation to Parliament’s Standing Committee on Finance and Standing Committee on Appropriations regarding the dilapidated state of sewage and water treatment plans and the lack of proper budgeting for repair costs
SDG 16: PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS

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SAICA Integrated Report 2022.
All Rights Reserved.

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SAICA Integrated Report 2022. All Rights Reserved.

Site Links

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Head Office