Strategic Report Environment, Social and Governance (ESG)
1. Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) ESG strategy As part of our ESG strategy, we have conducted a double materiality assessment. This was an inclusive process involving engagement with our colleagues and with external stakeholders, including our customers, suppliers and carriers through interviews and surveys on 16 ESG topics. We have completed a business impact analysis and maturity assessment against the ESG topics which has given Whistl better insight to the issues that are most material to our stakeholders. We aim to have a completed ESG strategy, including KPIs and targets in 2023. Our ESG initiatives programme Whistl has an extensive ESG initiatives programme across procurement, fleet and facilities: Ethical and sustainable uniforms This year the focus has been on ethical and sustainable operational and driver uniforms as well as sourcing eco friendly consumables across the Whistl Group. At the end of 2022 Workwear Express became our new uniform supplier, adding recycled and sustainable fabric options to our uniform portfolio whilst continually seeking any new eco materials. Our ordering method allows on-demand requests and therefore lessens waste. In addition we have implemented a recycling process for old uniforms, to recycle and repurpose garments and save them from ending up in landfill. Our vehicles We have updated our commercial car fleet policy with a green fleet choice of electric or ultra-low emission. We have rolled out 13 electric vans across the network with a view to increasing this number in 2023 and beyond. In collaboration with our suppliers, our small van and HGV drivers have received extensive fuel efficiency driver training.
There is an imperative that all businesses, across all industries globally need to act now to reduce the adverse effects on the environment. During the year we took significant steps forward in this area. In line with our aim to be a sustainable business, not only financially but also within the environment and communities in which we operate, we appointed an ESG Lead within the business to drive forward our current activities and develop our road map to meet UK Government mandatory targets and expected best practice. Engagement with key stakeholders including clients, employees, local communities, environmental groups, regulators, business partners, suppliers, and our shareholders all form part of our ESG strategy. We are ambitious and committed to fight climate change and in 2022 we launched an ESG programme and partnered with Simply Sustainable, an award-winning sustainability and ESG consultant, to accelerate focus in the following areas:
Whistl initially deployed 9 Maxus eDeliver electric vehicles covering customers in the Bristol area with four vehicles and five for its Parcelhub brand. During the year we consolidated all the transport fleet across the Group under a new transport management system to better utilise the fleet, maximising loads and reducing mileage. We commenced a £12m investment fleet expansion and renewal programme with Euro VI compliant: I7 Peugeot Boxer 435 Vans; 26 18t and 17 26t rigid trucks; and 126 Renault T-Range Tractor Units. The strategy also covers both rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure across Whistl’s current 22 sites and the procurement of electric fleet. Group waste management Our partnership with Zest Recycle has seen 13 sites rolled out with a new waste management system that has seen 84% of recycled material. Following the results of the successful partnership between Whistl and Zest Recycle, we were shortlisted for a 2022 Award for Excellence in Recycling and Waste Management. In addition, we gained a Bronze award in the International Green Apple Awards and were nominated for the National Recycling Awards for Campaign of the Year. Supply chain At Whistl, we want to work with suppliers who share our values and help us deliver on our promises and commitments. We believe this is best achieved through the sharing of practice and information. In 2022 our Suppliers’ Day Conference focused on ESG and we launched our new supplier charter setting out how we expect suppliers to behave so that together we can achieve higher ESG standards in our supply chain. New products To help our customers achieve their net zero targets we have developed a Sustainable Mail guide for customers on how to achieve an eco-friendly mailing product covering the mail material and its recyclability.
ELECTRIC COLLECTION PARCELHUB IS TRIALLING EVs ACROSS THE EAST MIDLANDS
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Whistl Annual Report 2022
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