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United Nations (UN) Global Compact: Blueprint for responsible and resilient business

We sat down with Chris Glasson, CEO, CSI Energy Group, for an exclusive interview as we take the next step in our commitment to the UN Global Compact. Discover the reasons behind our recent commitment and how it aligns with our core values. Learn how sustainability will transform our business practices, and the positive impact it will have on our decision-making process. Most importantly, find out how our employees play a pivotal role in our journey towards sustainability. Join us in shaping a brighter, more sustainable future for CSI Energy Group and beyond.

Can you explain the reasons behind CSI Energy Group’s recent commitment to the UN Global Compact and its relevance to the organisation’s overall mission and values?

Our recent commitment to the UN Global Compact forms an integral part of our vision – whereby we believe that we can influence a new energy era towards a more sustainable world. Sustainability runs deep into our DNA and we believe that it is not just an ethical imperative but also vital for our long-term success and as a responsible player, it is our duty to contribute positively to society and the environment. The relevance of the UN Global Compact to our organization's mission and values lies in its comprehensive framework, this aligns perfectly with our long-standing commitment to sustainability. By joining the Compact, we reinforce our dedication to upholding human rights, promoting fair labor practices, safeguarding the environment, and combating corruption. These principles resonate deeply with our core values and reaffirm our mission to be a catalyst for positive change in the energy sector.

How does CSI Energy Group’s commitment to the UN Global Compact align with its long-term sustainability goals and vision for a sustainable future? How will this commitment to the UN Global Compact affect CSI Energy Group’s decision-making process, particularly when it comes to assessing potential business opportunities and partnerships?

This will positively impact on our decision-making process in a palette of ways. For instance, the UN Global Compact commitment will foster innovation, collaboration, cooperation and organisational success, guided by the expertise and best practices of the United Nations. As we assess potential business opportunities and partnerships, we will prioritize those that align with the Compact's principles. This includes partnering with organizations that share our values and are committed to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.

 

The Compact will serve as a guiding framework, empowering us to make well-informed decisions that consider the long-term implications of our actions, ensuring that we remain steadfast in our commitment to creating positive impacts on society and the environment while simultaneously achieving our business objectives.

Could you share some specific examples of how CSI Energy Group plans to implement the principles of the UN Global Compact within its operations? How do you envision this commitment transforming your business practices?

The implementation of the UN Global Compact principles within CSI Energy Group's operations will be comprehensive and transformative. We plan to integrate sustainability into every aspect of our business, from supply chain management to community engagement.

 

For instance, we are driving investments in renewable energy projects, such as solar, through our energy development cluster. This will not only reduce our carbon footprint but also contribute to the global effort to combat climate change and promote sustainable energy solutions.

 

Through our risk and audit committee, we will conduct thorough supply chain assessments to identify and address any potential risks related to human rights, labour standards, and environmental practices. Working closely with suppliers, we will encourage responsible sourcing and ethical business conduct throughout the supply chain.

 

We are working towards a culture of diversity and inclusion, promoting gender equality and equal opportunities for all employees, through gender forums. This commitment to diversity will enrich our company culture and enhance our ability to innovate and solve complex challenges.

 

We are implementing sustainable water management practices on our project sites, reducing water usage and minimizing our impact on local water resources.

 

We are enhancing transparency in our reporting processes, disclosing our progress in implementing the UN Global Compact principles and our sustainability performance. This will hold us accountable to stakeholders, providing them with clear insights into our sustainability initiatives.

 

 

From what we gather, the UN Global Compact is shaping a sustainable future. This is a win-win situation for both companies and society. In which ways will that impact on CSI Energy’s commitment to the people in Africa?

Indeed, the UN Global Compact will have major positive effects on both businesses and societies at large. While the UN Global Compact will further fuel our holistic approach towards responsible business, this will have significant ricochet effects on our communities in Africa. Through innovation and new perspectives, we will come up with fresh ideas and expandable solutions to society’s challenges, we will be in a better and more flexible position to create a better world. This will bring us closer to our people, and we shall optimise on this proximity to cater for our communities in Africa’s needs, and nurture dialogue, and engagement. Our objective is to build and maintain trust with our people in Africa and we are convinced that the UN Global Compact will reinforce this relationship.

Looking beyond CSI Energy Group, how important do you believe it is for other companies in the energy sector and the wider business community to embrace the principles of the UN Global Compact? What message do you think this sends to stakeholders and the global community?

The energy sector in which we operate is a delicate sector. The imperative of working in this sector is to primarily be accountable and respect the environment. We are aware that we have direct impacts on the ecosystem, communities, and societies at large. Therefore, it is important for companies of the sector to adhere to the principles of sustainability. The UN Global Compact serves as a guiding entity into helping us bridge the gap between organisations and the wider communities. It is our purpose to enact in that direction and to act responsibly. By considering the different areas of focus established by the UN Global Compact, namely human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, we gauge a better understanding of the principles to render our commitments into life.

 

The underlying message we wish to send to stakeholders and the global community is concise and clear: We care and we will go the highest levels to make this happen.

How do you plan to engage and involve CSI Energy Group’s workforce in the implementation of the UN Global Compact principles? Are there any specific training or awareness programs in place to ensure their understanding and support?

The involvement of our workforce in the implementation of the UN Global Compact principles is essential. It is a prerequisite, and we plan to have our staff involved in our commitment towards a sustainable sphere in different ways, including direct access to The UN Global Compact Academy and specific designed training and awareness programs to keep our personnel in the loop and informed.

 

To ensure our workforce is on board with the Compact's principles, we have devised a multifaceted approach that fosters a culture of sustainability throughout the organisation. First and foremost, we will provide comprehensive training and awareness programs to ensure that every employee understands the significance of the Compact and how it aligns with our company's mission and values.

 

These training sessions will not be your typical corporate presentations; we aim to make them interactive and engaging. We'll bring in experts and thought leaders in sustainability to share insights, best practices, real-life examples of the impact of sustainable behaviours. It's vital that our employees see the direct connection between their actions and the positive change they can create.

 

Moreover, we plan to establish a rewards system that recognises and celebrates sustainable behaviours and initiatives from our employees. This will serve as an incentive for everyone to actively contribute to our sustainability efforts. Whether it's reducing energy consumption, implementing waste reduction strategies, or suggesting innovative sustainable solutions, each and every effort will be valued and rewarded.

 

We believe in transparent communication, and we will keep our employees informed about the progress of our sustainability initiatives. Regular updates, town halls, open forums will be held to allow employees to voice their ideas, concerns, and make suggestions related to sustainability.

 

Overall, our aim is to create a work environment where sustainability is not an add-on but an integral part of our company culture. We want our employees to feel inspired and to be proud to be part of an organization that takes sustainability seriously and contributes positively to the world.

To conclude, what do you expect from the UN Global Compact multi-year strategy and action in support of achieving the SDGs by 2030?

We expect the best outcomes from the UN Global Compact multi-year strategy. By combining the collective talents within our company with the UN Global Principles, we will create a powerful engine for improvement for everyone, including our staff, clients, stakeholders and communities. Through small, ongoing positive changes, we expect to reap significant improvements leading to success and the greatest good for all in a world where corporate sustainability rhymes with universal change, on all grounds.