Our Environment

SAFCOL believes that we have a responsibility to care for and protect the environment in which we operate. We are fully committed to the continual improvement of environmental performance across all our business activities and recognise the key environmental impacts of its business to be on soil, water, air and biodiversity.

We are committed to:

• As a minimum, compliance with all applicable Environmental legislation, regulations and international protocols and codes ratified by the Republic of South Africa.
• Assess significant environmental impacts of our operations and identify means to mitigate such impacts.
• Manage natural ecosystems in order to sustain and improve biodiversity.
• Protect rare and endangered species and habitats as well as cultural heritage sites that occur on our land.
• Ensure a dedicated, professional and informed Environmental team to provide specialist environmental guidance.
• Provide adequate training to relevant employees to ensure sound environmental practices.
• Promote environmental awareness amongst all employees and adjacent communities.
• Minimise waste and pollution through efficient use of all materials and energy in all aspects of our business.
• Purchase environmentally sustainable products wherever feasible (e.g. recycled, FSC® certified or low environmental impact products).
• Reduce risks emanating from environmental and health or safety hazards.
• Assist and participate in finding solutions to environmental problems that may affect our environment, including climate change.
• Interact and consult with relevant stakeholders regarding environmental and other practices.
• Perform Environmental, Occupational Health, Safety and Risk management in an integrated manner.

Procedures to support this policy are incorporated in the relevant sections of our Integrated Management System.

Environmental accountability has been allocated to executive management as part of their Key Performance Indicators.

SAFCOL conducts annual internal environmental audits and publishes an Environmental Performance Report publicly every second year.

As a responsible forestry company we do not harvest trees from indigenous forests.