Nqobile Bhebhe in Kwekwe
JOURNALISTS have been urged to play an active role in promoting responsible mining by reporting more on environmental sustainability governance.
ESG considerations by companies have been thrust into spotlight in recent years due to increasing pressure from both within and outside organisations to improve environmental sustainability and act in socially responsible ways.
ESG is still an emerging concept that encourages businesses to adopt environmentally-friendly policies.
This approach contrasts sharply with traditional linear production and consumption models, which often prioritise short-term gains over long-term sustainability.
The emphasis is now on reusing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products as much as possible, therefore fostering a more sustainable and responsible approach to business practices moving forward.
Addressing journalists in Kwekwe on Wednesday during a responsible mining engagement, Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) Programme Lead, Business and Human Rights, Mr Obert Bore said ESG framework help stakeholders understand how an organisation manages risks and opportunities around sustainability.
“Journalist play an important role, in promoting responsible mining practices in communities, through highlighting the impacts of mining companies on the economy, environment and people, including impact on human rights.
“Companies should be hold to account on their impacts on the universe and journalist are privileged to play this key role to reveal, the impacts to the nations, both positive and negative,” he said.
He urged journalists to interrogate the purported initiatives on ESG by companies
“Journalist also play a key role in supporting communities to highlight the negative impacts of mining activities, and this can at times push companies to respond and seek remediation.
“However, for journalist to be effective, its important to understand the concepts of ESG, what to expect from companies and the short falls.”
He added that there is increased pressure on companies to show tangible evidence that they have a coherent sustainability strategy that is integrated in the business model and is effectively implemented.
“Companies are increasingly required to show and account for how their operations interact with communities and the universe- not as a diversion from profitability but as a core part of business strategy that can future-proof an organization and generate new growth and value,” he said.
He noted that besides the regulatory push on ESG, investors and lenders are also increasingly considering ESG, as a precondition for accessing funding.
“International markets are also demanding that companies consider ESG, they are demanding sustainable strategies of suppliers, that includes companies’ environmental footprint, incl a net zero commitment and social impact.
“The diversity of company workforce, and sustainability of operations is now being called into question.”
Therefore, he noted that several companies in key sectors of the economy like mining are now embracing ESG.
He added that communities are also increasingly calling for responsible business practices from companies especially in key sectors such as mining where the operations of companies have a high risk of adverse impact on the environment.
“Responsible business in communities by companies for example will reduce waste and pollution, gas emissions, minimise natural resources depletion, all this will have positive impact on communities and future generations.
“As such, there is increased call by communities for accountability and transparency in the operations of companies within communities.”
However, he said one of the main challenges for communities is how to measure and assess the impact of business operations at community level.
