Accordingly, ‘ESG: Options, solutions and innovations’ is the theme for the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport South Africa’s (CILTSA’s) second ESG Conference, taking place on Thursday 20 July 2023 at the DP World Wanderers Stadium in Illovo, Johannesburg.
A collaborative approach
Elvin Harris, the president of CILTSA, says “The conversations at our conference this year are constructive: focusing on what the choices are for companies looking to improve their ESG ratings.
The agenda that we have crafted has created a powerful platform for industry pioneers, experts and professionals in logistics, transport and supply chain to come together to tackle the common challenges and share practices associated with ESG. The information provided at the conference will equip delegates with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions.”
ESG is high on the agenda for many companies, but South Africa’s ever-changing and disruptive environment creates additional complexities. Load-shedding poses a significant challenges to governance, but it also offers opportunities. South Africa is a carbon-intensive economy, where fossil fuels contribute significantly to the country’s emissions.
For sustainability and ESG reasons, it is imperative that South Africa transitions to a low-carbon economy and develops and stabilises its electricity supply. One of the panel discussions at CILTSA’s ESG conference will focus on South Africa’s energy crisis and ESG, exploring what choices the logistics, transport and supply-chain industries have, and what they need to consider when reviewing the options available.
Sustainable finance
ESG can often put additional cost pressures on companies, as the more ESG-friendly choices are often more expensive. The conference programme includes a panel discussion on how banks are assisting logistics companies to achieve their green objectives.
Presentations at the one-day event include:
- The fundamental principles of climate, sustainability, circularity and ESG: what this means for the logistics, transport and supply-chain industries;
- The trends and future of ESG; and
- Safety, compliance and certifications for ESG: Why these matter and what you need to know.
The energy crisis is a complex issue that affects us all in various ways. While we may feel the immediate impact of load-shedding and loss of network connectivity, it is important to consider the broader implications on all industries, and therefore the economy and the total supply chain.
The logistics, transport, and supply-chain industries have set ambitious ESG goals to reduce their carbon footprint and operate in a more sustainable manner. However, the energy crisis in South Africa is hindering their ability to achieve these objectives.
The upcoming conference is therefore vitally important, as it brings together industry experts to examine the issue and develop innovative solutions that can help us move forward sustainably. To this end, there will be a panel discussion on ‘South Africa’s energy crisis and ESG: options and considerations for the logistics, transport and supply chain industries’.
To register for the conference, visit www.cvlc.co.za
