‘Manufacturers, OPS Should Integrate ESG Across Verticals For Sustainable Devt’

The British American Tobacco (BAT) has urged manufacturers, Organised Private Sector( OPS) and other businesses operating in Nigeria to integrate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals across every verticals in their workplace.

This is even as it noted that, ESG goals would educate them to manage carbon footprints, balance staff strengths and gender inclusivity for productivity and low carbon economy.

This advice was given at a press briefing ahead of the maiden edition of the Pan-African Private Sector ESG Forum, scheduled for Wednesday, November 8, 2023 in Lagos, organised by the British American Tobacco (BAT) Nigeria Limited and other partners in the private sector.

Achieving this, BAT and Enactus Nigeria also stressed the need to integrate ESG goals in their workplace for the purpose of sustainable development of the business and the workers to build long-term plans and protect capital financing on ESG practices.

The event, themed: “Is The Private Sector Accountable: A Case For Sustainable Practices,” will bring together thought leaders, industry experts, and stakeholders to discuss and deliberate on ESG sustainability challenges and opportunities as well as focus on driving climate resilience and fostering inclusive growth.

Speaking at the media briefing, the managing director of BAT Nigeria, Yarub Al-Bahrani, said the ESG forum is quite timely and relevant as it presents opportunity for the private sector in Africa to not only address pressing ESG challenges but also to champion sustainable practices that will lead to lasting outcomes in the continent.

He said, the private sector ESG forum is a testament to our unwavering commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility amongst industry players, economic experts and manufacturers, adding that, the ESG forum will build conversations around climate change, carbon footprints reduction, climate solutions investment, compliance governance practices amongst others.

He encouraged the private sector and manufacturing sector to adopt responsible and climate resilient business approaches to integrate sustainability into their core operations. Yarub Al-Bahrani said.

Speaking earlier, the director, External Affairs, BAT West and Central Africa, Odiri Erewa-Meggison, said the forum seeks to facilitate an open dialogue among industry stakeholders to assess the extent to which the private sector is embracing sustainable practices and implementing actions to safeguard the environment and support the communities in which they operate.

She said these conversations are essential because the actions of the private sector, particularly the manufacturing industries, significantly influence the trajectory towards a zero-carbon future and equitable growth.

Also speaking, the director general, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir said, sustainability and corporate accountability are no longer Buzzwords, they are the cornerstones of our shared future.

On his part, CEO, Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, Bankole Oloruntoba emphasised the need for sustainable financing for the ESG goals while positing that, with the right ESG framework and knowledge, organisations can achieve sustainable impact that will open more opportunities to tap into impact investment in Africa.