Clicks Group has been recognised internationally for its work in addressing climate change, achieving an A-rating from global environmental organisation CDP in its 2020 climate change survey.
About the 2020 CDP Climate Change Survey
Clicks Group is one of only four South African companies to have qualified for the climate change A list - together with the Nedbank Group, Anglo American Platinum and Mondi.
The annual CDP environmental disclosure and scoring process is regarded as the gold standard of corporate environmental transparency. This year more than 9,600 organisations participated in the survey – the highest ever - with only 270 companies globally qualifying for an A rating.
Voted the number one climate research provider by investors, CDP uses a detailed and independent methodology to assess participating companies, allocating a score of A to D - based on the comprehensiveness of disclosure, awareness and management of environmental risks and demonstration of best practices associated with environmental leadership, such as setting ambitious and meaningful targets. Those that don’t disclose or provided insufficient information are marked with an F.
Clicks Group CEO Vikesh Ramsunder said: “In a year which has been defined and dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic and the partial closure of our economy, we are honoured to be acknowledged in this global corporate sustainability survey for the measures we are taking in the mitigation and disclosure of climate change risk. This confirms our commitment to a low-carbon economy as we strive to implement sustainable best practices within a culture of responsible environmental stewardship.”
“Climate change risk motivates the Clicks Group to explore innovative solutions to limit the impact of our activities and to lighten our footprint. We have moved beyond a narrow focus on legislative and regulatory compliance to embedding climate management into our strategic planning processes.”
A particular focus on problematic plastic
Clicks is a founding member of the steering committee of the South African Plastics Pact, which was initiated to promote a circular economy for plastics. The Pact’s targets to 2025 require action to eliminate unnecessary and problematic plastic packaging that can’t be reused or recycled; ensure that 100% of plastic recycling is reusable, recyclable or compostable; and ensure that there is an average of 30% of recycled content across all plastic packaging.
So, what does this mean in practice? Clicks was the first retailer in South Africa to make use of 25% of PhoenixPET in its bottled water packaging, and has also phased plastic microbeads out of all Clicks Private Label products, which are also using a higher content of recycled plastics. In addition, Clicks has phased out plastic straws, and has introduced eco-conscious cotton buds made from 100% organic cotton tips with paper stems.
About CDP
CDP is a not-for-profit charity that runs the global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts. The world’s economy looks to CDP as the gold standard of environmental reporting with the richest and most comprehensive dataset on corporate and city action.