Transitioning away from Russian LPG
On 24th February, 2022, we all woke up to a new reality as the Russian aggression on Ukraine began. From the first day of the invasion, GASPOL united with Ukrainians, but grew concerned about the impact…
SHV Energy sustainability goals
Primagaz have engaged with Ecovadis to assist with the continued focus that all SHV Energy business units (BUs) have, to support sustainability activities across all areas. These are guided by the SHV Energy four aspirational goals; sustaining the environment; improving health, safety and well-being; enhancing employee and community development and safeguarding integrity.
The EcoVadis rating method for measuring sustainability
The EcoVadis rating covers a broad range of non-financial management systems including Environmental, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics and Sustainable Procurement impacts. Each company is rated on the material issues relevant to their company's size, location and industry.
The EcoVadis methodology is built on international sustainability standards, including the Global Reporting Initiative, the United Nations Global Compact and the ISO 26000
The evidence-based assessments are refined into easy to read scorecards, providing zero to one hundred (0-100) scores, and medals (bronze, silver, gold), when applicable. Additionally, the scorecards provide guidance on strengths and improvement areas, which the rated companies may use to focus their sustainability efforts and develop corrective action plans to improve their sustainability performance.
A strategy for success
Over the last few years Primagaz France has been developing an ambitious Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy involving both internal and external stakeholders to drive towards the stated sustainability goals.
This CSR strategy involves continuous improvements across multiple departments such as HR, Procurement, Safety, Operations, Marketing, Compliance and Sales teams.
This strategy has had notable success, as Primagaz obtained a silver medal in 2017 and then a gold medal in 2019 and now again in 2020. Primagaz is even among the top 1% of companies evaluated in the "Wholesale of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels and related products" business sector with a score of 67/100.
It is also worth noting that some 300 companies that are evaluated worldwide in this sector while there are more than 55,000 companies evaluated in all sectors, and this success is despite reinforced rating criteria.
All CSR practices have been audited and the overall score has increased thanks to the implementation of additional measures especially in the field of sustainable procurement (+10 pts out of 100). The Sales teams have also reported that customers are increasing their demand for visibility of the Ecovadis assessment as part of their bidding processes. It is good to know that over 70 strengths identified here.
Important feedback for improvement and looking ahead
Following each evaluation, detailed feedbacks are shared with the different teams involved so everyone can enhance their strengths but importantly identify any areas for improvement that will keep the momentum towards achieving the sustainability goals.
It has been a significant performance from all involved at Primagaz France and it is clear a lot of hard work and effort has been made. It doesn’t stop there, as they have set themselves the target of a platinum medal, an award that would put the company among the top 1% of world performers in terms of CSR and sustainability.