FOREWORD BY CEO
Our unified and inclusive approach ensured that we progressed well in our Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) objectives. Evidence of our continuous improvements can be viewed within this Report pages
SUSTAINABILITY FRAMEWORK AND PRIORITY AREAS
Our sustainability framework is set up to address priority areas, ensuring our vison of a sustainable future covers all aspects of our business and operations. This framework is designed to catalyse sustainability and drive multi-stakeholder value. It summarizes not only what sustainability means to Alba, but also to the metals and mining industry as a whole, identifying key areas where we can affect positive change and further exemplify best practices. The framework is based on our approach of managing material ESG issues by integrating sustainability into Alba’s greater business strategy. It was developed based on the collective results of an in-depth materiality assessment, stakeholder mapping, and researching the sustainability agendas of other key industry leaders. Below are the three central pillars that came from this framework, all of which are designed to integrate the consideration of ESG issues into all aspects of our business.
SAFETY, HEALTH AND
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
Protecting the wellbeing of our employees and the environment directly leads to the wellbeing of all our stakeholders. We accomplish this by putting in stringent measures to avoid all preventable health and safety incidents and by making a true commitment to sustainability. Maximizing safety considerations while minimizing harmful environmental impacts is continually establishing Alba as a resilient, future-minded company.
Occupational Health and Safety
The health and safety of our employees and all our stakeholders involved in Alba operations sit as the top of our priorities. We take exceptional measures to ensure the highest safety standards are met and that our commitment to optimal health of our entire organization underpins everything we do.
Energy and Climate change
Implementing strategies and adopting the right initiatives to address climate change and energy conservation are integral to achieve our full implementation of SDGs in order to make our planet a better place.
GOVERNANCE
AND MANAGEMENT
Good corporate governance and business management builds trust with key stakeholders. Focusing on these good governance and management also drives sustainable growth and leads to enhanced value creation.
Business Ethics and Responsible Sourcing
Alba operates under the most stringent business ethics, complete with full transparency and fairness policies. Our dedication to responsible sourcing helps keep our business both competitive and environmentally sustainable.
Economic Impact and Sustainable Growth
We believe strongly that Alba must grow sustainably to have the most impactful economic outcome. Ensuring sustainable growth is one of our most important business policies in pursuit of optimal long-term economic impacts.
SOCIAL AND
COMMUNITY IMPACT
Investing in the communities in which we operate is more than simply part of our commitment to corporate responsibility. It also helps build long-term relationships with some of our most crucial stakeholders by investing in the capacity and wellbeing of our workforce. This is a direct investment in the future of Alba, as well as the future of the communities that we serve.
Employer of Choice
Being regarded as an “Employer of Choice” is very important to us here at Alba. Recognition that the organization provides a great place for people of all walks of life to work for and with is an honour that we do not take lightly.
Local Community Investment and Development
We place high importance on local community investment and development because we value the communities we work with and within. Alba’s social and community impact is best felt with select, robust investments that help to drive development in these areas.
Note:
All info/stats reported in the 2020 Sustainability Report relate to Alba’s plant/operations in Bahrain. Our aim is to adhere to GRI Reporting Principles taking into consideration the limitations and scope of the information which is currently available for Alba.
OUR PERFORMANCE IN 2020 AT A GLANCE
- BHD 4.5 M in environmental
conservation projects
- Zero fatalities (both contractors
and employees)
- 100 % of Alba’s assets are
ISO 14001:2015 certified
- 7.9 % SOX intensity dropped by
- 164 average training hours
per employee
- 24 M safe working hours without LTI
- BHD 81M local procurement spending
- ASI membership certification
- > BHD 4 M total community investments
- 4.6 % reductions in energy intensity
- 17 % increase in new hires
- Zero incidents of non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations
- 13.68 % reduction in
near miss incidents
- 6.68 % reduction in GHG
emissions from fuel consumption
- 69 % youth employment
- 13.5 % increase in produced electricity
- 54% local procurement
- 15 % reduction in
GHG emissions intensity
- 13 % increase in total production
- 7.7 customer satisfaction rate
- BHD 1057M in revenues
- 84% nationalization rate
- 145 % cost savings achieved
against target
- 99.86 % metal purity
- Zero oil spills
- Zero incidents of corruption
- 140043 M3 Recycled and reused
of sewage effluent
- 3130 total
workforce (FTEs)
- 37 % Reduced hazardous
waste generation by
- BHD 1.4 M revenues generated from
sales of recycled materials
- BHD 10 M net profit
- Zero security breaches
- 20 % of board seats
are occupied by women
- 501 training hours
delivered on Human Rights
- 100% of employees receive
performance reviews
- 6 % Employee turnover
- 96% of workforce represented in joint management-worker H&S committees
- 21% increase in safety audits
- 100% return to work from parental leave
Our unified and inclusive approach ensured that we progressed well in our Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) objectives. Evidence of our continuous improvements can be viewed within this Report pages.
REFLECTION: DID 2020 CHALLENGE US OR CHANGE US?
2020 challenged and changed us all on the corporates and individuals fronts; it also drove home the point that nothing matters more than Health and Safety. As one of the largest workforces in the Kingdom, Alba family has responded and adapted to the COVID-19 situation in a conscientious manner to ensure that our operations and people are safe.
I thank everyone - the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Alba Board Members, my colleagues in the management team and management staff and most importantly, the employees and contractor workforce for coming together during this unprecedented times and standing united in the fight against COVID-19.
Our unified and inclusive approach ensured that we progressed well in our Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) objectives. Evidence of our continuous improvements can be viewed within this Report pages, and I would like to highlight few of these – a drop in GHG emissions intensity by 15%, a reduction of hazardous waste generation by 37%, zero incidents of noncompliance with environmental laws and regulations, 84% Bahrainsation and a higher gender diversity with 20% of Alba Board occupied by women. Our evolving ESG journey in Alba consists of a series of steps with the aim to achieve sustainable success and long-lasting benefits for all: our value-chain, our environment, our employees and the local community.
We understand that everything we do in Alba can impact our stakeholders, the capital market and our local community. Our ventures in 2020 stem from our commitment to achieve sustainable growth all the while align to Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 namely – Spent Pot Lining (SPL) Treatment Plant Project (kicked-off in 2019) which will revolutionize the way in which SPL waste is treated; the Fish Farm Project (launched in 2020) at our Calciner and Marine Operations which demonstrates our commitment to biodiversity conservation as well as giving back to the society; and the Solar Panel Farm - an ambitious project (pending due-diligence) that aims to secure environmentally-friendly energy which will ultimately reduce our Carbon Footprint.
Our Sustainability Framework which was founded on three major pillars -- Governance and Management, Social and Community Impact, as well as Safety, Health and Environment -- drives us to consistently meet and exceed international standards. Our continuous efforts have translated into Alba being bestowed with notable recognitions such as Leading Corporate for Investor Relations in Bahrain and Best Investor Relations Professional – Bahrain by MEIRA, being ranked first for the second year in a row on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) amongst companies in Bahrain (2020) and awarded with the International Safety Award from the British Safety Council. Our hands-on initiatives have also earned us the prestigious Aluminium Stewardship Initiative and Ecovadis Certifications, on the back of which we are seeking to penetrate New Markets & Increase VAP Sales.
ALBA’S APPROACH TO COVID-19 CRISIS
Personally, I believe that everything we do in Alba starts and ends with the Safety of our people - our true assets. Safety sits at the heart of every recognition today and tomorrow. Our Safety culture defines the way we operate and the way we protect our future generations’ health and wellbeing. And COVID-19 showed us that nothing is more important than our Safety and Health. Today, our individual and collective actions of getting immunized against COVID-19 today will save lives going forward. Vaccination is our best defense against COVID-19 virus, and this is the least we do towards our families and society. Sustainability is not a choice but a necessity and a responsibility. It is what we do today collectively that will impact the future. We want to be recognized not only as one of the world’s top primary aluminium producers but also one of the best responsible producers in the world. I welcome you all to read our Sustainability Report to know more about our ESG journey in 2020 and appreciate receiving your feedback on ir@alba.com.bh