Sustainable development in South Africa
Since Siemens South Africa was founded in 1860, its history has been characterized by growth and innovation. As an integrated technology company, Siemens aims to play a constructive role in Africa‘s success story. This is as relevant for solutions across the electrification, automation and digitalization chain as it is for social responsibilities. Meeting our social responsibilities is not viewed as a separate business activity but is totally integrated into our company’s sustainability strategy.
Environment
Siemens South Africa aims to be carbon neutral by 2030.
of CO2e offset through carbon saving measures
South Africa has the 13th highest CO2 emissions in the world, and both renewable technologies and energy-efficient measures can help reduce emissions. Siemens has been a pioneer in renewable energy in South Africa since 1892, when Siemens set up the Molteno Resevoir in Cape Town, thus creating the country’s first hydro-electric power plant.
South Africa is experiencing rapid urbanization, with almost two thirds of the country's population living in cities. Cities are having to deal with increasing growth and meet infrastructure needs, while meeting environmental targets and reducing emissions.
At the heart of the UN's Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to guide governments, civil society and the private sector in a collaborative effort for change. Our Sustainability Report 2016 details the steps we have defined to help meet these 17 SDGs. At the end of fiscal 2016, South Africa was one of eight countries to have successfully completed these steps.
Our three corporate citizenship strategic focus areas are defined as follows: Access to technology, access to education and sustaining communities. All three areas are particularly relevant to South Africa, a country redefining itself following apartheid.
In fiscal 2016, nine countries achieved the Zero Harm Culture@Siemens Label, and South Africa was one of them. The company is involved in other globally rolled-out practices too, to ensure that workers are able to work in a safe environment.
Our program "Sustainability in the Supply Chain" aims to ensure that Siemens minimizes risks, uses resources carefully, and ensures long-term environmental and social compatibility. As such, we have deveoped a Code of Conduct for our suppliers, based on the UN's global compact principles.
The Siemens compliance system comprises a comprehensive system of measures to ensure our business is always carried out in full accordance with the law as well as with our internal principles and rules. In the process, we also want to instill the notion of responsible conduct in everything that Siemens employees think and do.
Our Compliance System is divided into three levels of action: prevent, detect and respond. Preventative measures include, for example, compliance risk management, guidelines and procedures, and comprehensive training and advising of employees. Communication channels such as our “Tell us” reporting system and ombudsman as well as fair internal investigations are indispensable to recognizing and resolving matters of misconduct. Unambiguous responses and clear consequences serve to punish misconduct and eliminate weaknesses. The responsibility all managers carry for compliance is the overarching element above these three levels.
Contact
Charl Marais
Compliance Officer, Data Privacy Officer.
