BAT Kenya unveils Sustainability report 2022

• BAT Kenya unveils 2022 sustainability report highlighting its ambition to reduce the health impact of its business

BAT Kenya has unveiled its 2022 sustainability report, which highlights the Company’s continued commitment to reducing the health impact of its business. The Company also reports performance in its ESG pillars, including environmental management and climate action, diversity and inclusion, human rights and corporate governance.

BAT Kenya Managing Director, Crispin Achola, said:

“At BAT Kenya, we are accelerating the transformation of our business, with sustainability embedded in our strategy. Our sustainability agenda is backed by clear and measurable targets upon which we have made sustained progress.

“A key milestone for BAT Kenya, is attaining a multicategory product portfolio through the launch of BAT’s tobacco-free oral nicotine pouches. BAT is clear that the only way to avoid the risks related with smoking, is to not start smoking, or to quit.

We encourage those who would otherwise continue to smoke, to switch to scientifically substantiated, reduced-risk alternatives*. The best way to address the harm related with cigarettes, is to provide a regulatory and fiscal environment that recognises the potential of these new products and enables smokers to switch.

We believe that by doing so, Kenya can reduce the projected health burden associated with smoking-related diseases.

The participation of all stakeholders, including the media, Government and industry is key in delivering this.

“While harm reduction is our key focus, we are accelerating performance in our ESG priorities: driving excellence in environmental management, delivering a positive social impact and ensuring robust corporate governance.

As part of this, we have invested in renewable energy, as well as driving afforestation activities with our contracted farmers and local communities, and contribution to the government’s Greening Kenya initiative.”

BAT Kenya Board Chairperson, Rita Kavashe said:

“Sustainability has long been part of BAT Kenya’s business and I am proud of our progress.

From taking initial steps to reduce the health impact of our business, reducing our carbon footprint, and global recognition for water stewardship; to our encouraging performance on diversity and inclusion, sustainable agriculture and farmer livelihoods as well as human rights, our commitment to build a sustainable business remains unwavering.

“Amongst other milestones achieved as at the end of 2022, we reduced our scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 33% (against a 2020 baseline), invested about KShs 145 million in solar energy and issued 15 tons of certified maize seeds to our contracted farmers to drive crop diversification and food security.

Furthermore, representation of women in the organisation was at 44%, and we achieved 100% attestation to the BAT Group Standards of Business Conduct by our People.

“While, as part of continuous improvement, there are areas that need more focus than others, I am proud of what the team has achieved. As we work with our stakeholders to build A Better TomorrowTM, I am confident that BAT Kenya will continue to transform at pace and create shared multi stakeholder value.”