Environment
IBL continues to implement the Environment Charter which it launched in 2003. A number of initiatives and partnerships have already produced results. The need to act as an environmentally responsible and caring company has developed over the years. IBL has mobilised its employees to become involved in a number of charitable projects, particularly in 2003 when the IBL Environment Charter was drawn up. Today, with the world moving to defend these same principles, the interest and desire to place ‘Sustainable Development’ and the Environment at the heart of company decisions continues to grow in importance at IBL.A Partnership with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation for the Protection of the Echo Parakeet.
In 2006, IBL invested in the protection of our biodiversity by financially supporting the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation over a three year period, for the preservation of the Echo Parakeet (a species of parrot endemic to Mauritius which was in danger of extinction). This programme has been a real success and has been cited as an example around the world. This collaboration between IBL and the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation has helped the population of the Echo Parakeet to grow and increase in numbers each year. But this cannot yet be considered as a success, as this endemic parrot still remains on the list of endangered species …A Paper Recycling Programme
In June 2008, the paper recycling programme was set up at IBL House, and alongside it, employees at the IBL Headquarters were encouraged to reduce the amount of paper used. This initiative was adopted by IBL Consumer Goods & Frozen Foods, Property Management, UPS and Somatrans. Within six months, more than 5000 kg of paper was collected. This programme will however have to be widened to include other recyclable materials such as plastic, aluminium, glass, batteries and medicines.IBL’s Energy Saving Programme
In September 2008, IBL’s CEO, Patrice d’Hotman de Villiers, asked Madoo Desha (General Manager, Energy Management) to establish and implement a programme to reduce energy consumption throughout the Group. In line with IBL’s Environment Charter, this programme includes, amongst other recommendations, an employee awareness programme. It has been noted that when employees does indeed implement what is written down in the Charter, the result is a sizeable and rapid reduction in energy consumption. Before applying any new technology, the first step in any energy reduction programme is to bring waste, wherever possible, to the lowest and in such a way that it does not impact on employee’s comfort. This can only be achieved if each and every one, at all levels within the company, undergoes a habit change. IBL House is a clear example of the success of such programmes, where energy consumption was reduced by nearly 20%. Elsewhere within the Group, new technologies have played a big role in energy reduction. For example, having refrigerators with sliding doors, installed at Winner’s Rose-Belle, could help reduce the supermarket’s energy consumption by 40%.To heighten employees awareness to ‘Sustainable Development’ concepts and Environment’s protection
In 2009, IBL set up a “Corporate Social Responsibility” programme which included environmental awareness amongst employees. In this context, and within the World Environment Day 2009 framework, IBL organised an Awareness Week at the start of June, focussing on the urgent need to counteract climate change. This included training sessions and talks on ‘Sustainable Development’, the ecological use of cars, management of waste products, and renewable energy. The aim is to reach a maximum of employees through ongoing awareness programmes all year round with training and talks, across the Group.Green Rooftops and the planting of Endemic Plants
IBL has launched itself into green rooftops on some of its buildings. A solution to counteract climate change is to plant green rooftops are an ecological way to reduce the sun’s heat on buildings, thereby reducing the need for air-conditioning. It is to be remembered that green plants captures carbon dioxide, a gas which contributes to global warming. As a trial, IBL has, chosen three of its buildings, namely that of CMH, IBL Electrical & Commercial Supplies and IBL IT at Cassis, Marine Biotechnology and Winner’s Terre Rouge. Ceremonials involving endemic trees plantation, took place on 5th June 2009 in many of the Group’s operations: at the airport (BA Cargo, IOL, Logidis Transport Services, Somatrans, UPS) at Cassis (CMH, Electrical & Commercial Supplies, IBL IT), Blychem, Froid des Mascareignes, IBL Consumer Goods & Frozen Foods, IBL Healthcare, Logidis, Thon des Mascareignes, Scomat, and Winner’s Terre Rouge. Manser Saxon further developed the idea by creating an endemic garden.Operations’ Specific Initiatives
Operations wise, Winner’s leads the way with a number of proactive ideas in its supermarkets, like for example offering customers the choice to have recycled paper bags to carry their shopping. At Winner’s Roche-Brunes, a container has been placed in an accessible area of the car park, to allow the collection of waste paper, cardboard and plastic. As mentioned above, just like having refrigerators with sliding doors, as it is the case at Rose-Belle, Winner’s is also planning to install solar panels at Coromandel. Manser Saxon and Blychem, while developing new marketing opportunities in the wind and solar energy areas respectively, both demonstrate IBL’s commitment to renewable energy. Manser Saxon is also engaged in the treatment of wastewater while IBL Consumer Goods imports Philips energy saving light bulbs. For a number of years now, IBL Transport has been incorporating environment protection while operating its vehicle fleet, specifically in its choice of vehicles and in its training of drivers in money-saving and ecologically sound driving techniques.To know more about our enviromental actions,click here and here
