Updates from CERB

CERB continues to emphasize highlighting business contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the CERB Sustainability Directory and the SDG Leadership Programme. To learn more about both, please email [email protected].

What's new this week:

• Highlights from our workshop on Corporate Sustainability Disclosures with Packages Limited in Lahore.
• CERB's resources to assist ongoing efforts of businesses in enhancing gender diversity.
• Climate Change and Green Energy Transition with Telenor Pakistan in Islamabad
• Register for a panel discussion on How Green is Your Business?in Karachi

Workshop Highlights: Corporate Sustainability Disclosures with Packages Group

The workshop began with a module on the SDGs and their business relevance, facilitated by Nazish Shekha, Head of Initiative, CERB, and Safia Hussain, Programme Coordinator, CERB. This session covered the importance of SDGs, their targets, and the operationalization of ESG principles within organizations. Following this introduction, Ayesha Aziz, Group Manager Sustainability, Packages Group, shared the company's ESG journey, detailing the company's efforts to create a sustainable workplace and drive impactful change.

Following the presentation, Nazish led a module focused on benchmarking and stakeholder engagement, including group activities on identifying key stakeholders and strategies for effective engagement. This module set the stage for the following session on risk identification and materiality assessments, where participants engaged in group work on case studies. This exercise helped them understand key business risks and material topics relevant to their case study companies.

To wrap up the first day, a panel discussion was held on identifying material topics and key issues for organizations, moderated by Nazish. Panelists included Raza Goraya, Air Quality Expert, and Ayesha Aziz. The discussion focused on material issues for businesses, including air quality and circularity. Ayesha highlighted the importance of recycling within Packages’ business model, emphasizing waste collection as a critical component, while Raza provided insights on air quality as an urgent issue and the contributing factors.

The second day began with Nazish Shekha’s session on the importance of setting targets and starting the ESG reporting journey. This was followed by a module on ISSB (International Sustainability Standards Board) requirements, delivered by Syed Ahson Ali Shah, Partner, KPMG In Pakistan. Ahson covered emissions reporting, ISSB disclosures, and strategies for incorporating the value chain into sustainability reporting.

Ahson’s module was followed by a panel discussion on ESG factors that impact businesses and how to report using international standards. Moderated by Nazish, the panel featured Ayesha Aziz, Ahson Shah, and Debaaj Abidi, National Project Officer, ILO. The panel focused on the social aspect of ESG, with panelists emphasizing employee-related disclosures and the need for a holistic approach to reporting across the value chain.

The workshop concluded with a final module on GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) standards, conducted by Safia Hussain. She covered the GRI structure and best practices for incorporating GRI standards in a company’s sustainability report.

The two-day workshop was attended by participants from Allied Bank Limited HBL Atlas Honda LTD, Descon, SGS, The Green Ark, MG Apparel, Sapphire Textile Mills, The Coca-Cola Company, Abacus, International Labour Organization, The University of Sheffield and Tetra Pak.

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Following the conclusion of the 3rd IFC-PBC ‘Employer of Choice’ Gender Diversity Awards, CERB remains committed to supporting participating companies in their ongoing efforts to enhance gender diversity. CERB offers a range of resources to facilitate a more strategic, results-driven approach to gender equality. These resources include:

• A gap analysis report of the awards submission?
• Capacity building on best practices in developing gender strategies
• Support in the submission of progress to UN Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs)
• Assistance in the application process for gender-related certifications
• Capacity building on addressing climate change through a gender lens in the workplace

The gap analysis report serves as an initial assessment of your organization’s gender strategy, providing a comprehensive review of your organization's submission. It compares your organization with previous submissions and the top 10 companies, offering recommendations aligned with international best practices. Please note that the gap analysis is offered for a fee. For more information, please reach out to [email protected]

?In line with its mission to promote sustainable business practices, CERB co-organized a panel discussion on “Climate Change and Green Energy Transition” with Telenor Pakistan. Held at Telenor Campus 345 in Islamabad, the event brought together industry leaders and experts to highlight the role of businesses in tackling climate challenges and advancing green energy solutions in Pakistan. The discussion was inaugurated by Telenor Pakistan’s CEO, Khurrum Ashfaque, who underscored the urgency of adopting sustainable energy practices.

If you are interested in organizing similar sessions, please reach out to us at [email protected].

Taimur Ali Khan, Sustainability Research Associate at CERB, will be moderating a panel discussion titled "How Green Is Your Business" on Thursday, November 21, 2024. The event will be held at Lincoln Corners in Karachi and will focus on the experiences of the panelists with sustainable business practices.?