Sustainable practices of Brandix and the international policies of Australia and New Zealand to achieve gender equality
Sustainable practices of Brandix and ripple effects to the three pillars of sustainability
Brandix is deemed as one of the leading business enterprises in Sri Lanka and has been instrumental in contributing to the GDP of Sri Lanka. Founded by business magnate Martin Trust, Brandix is a renowned apparel industry which has aimed at maintaining sustainability over the years. The company began practicing sustainability since 2008. Brandix, n.d.
The environmental sustainability of Brandix focuses on three key pillars such as air, water and earth. Brandix has been primarily involved in reducing the emissions of carbon dioxide to the environment by implementing the new sustainable techniques. Such practices have triggered a positive impact on the three pillars of sustainability. The Brandix casualwear which is situated in Seeduwa was awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum Certification in 2008 recognising its sustainable practices. de Silva, 2019
In 2017, Brandix also installed a 1.65 MW rooftop solar plant in one of the factories of Brandix which is situated in Batticaloa as part of its Net Zero Carbon Target which is aimed to be fulfilled as of 2023. In June 2019, the Batticaloa branch of Brandix Group became the first manufacturing company in the world to achieve the Net Zero Carbon status according to the World Green Building Council. The Batticaloa branch was certified with the net zero carbon status for engaging in the business practices by using onsite renewable energy sources and for neutralizing the environmental impact through reducing the emissions of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Daily FT, 2019 Brandix controlled the air emissions to a significant level from a whopping 276.6g of carbon dioxide to 56g of carbon dioxide. Brandix also engaged in water conservation by reducing the wastage of water from around 13.1 litres per clocked hour to 9.3 litres per clocked hour. Lugoda, 2019
Brandix has undertaken measures regarding on how to manage the lifecycle chain from the raw material stage to distribution. The ripple effect of such initiative would also be reflected in the economic pillar of the sustainability as the management accounts for all manufacturing processes that are under control. The factories of Brandix across Sri Lanka have obtained the Environmental Protection License issued by the Central Environmental Authority. Brandix factories in India received the Consent for Operation for Establishment. In Bangladesh, the factories obtained Environment Clearance Certificate issued by the respective department of Environment. Brandix has adopted international sustainability principles through launching Brandix Plus in their business practices. Such initiatives have enabled Brandix Group to provide a greater value to the primary stakeholders as well as to add to the quality of life of the communities. Brandix initiated “Came for Our Own” program in 2006 and as of 2012, the company had completed over 3000 water supply projects. The company also provided humanitarian aid for those affected during the 2004 December tsunami. As you know, the contributions by the Brandix Group to the social sustainability can also be attributed as a corporate social responsibility towards the society. Maurer, 2014
Brandix Group uses the “Three Lines of Defense Model” as a strategy to implement a structure in order to handle the government risk and to control the responsibilities across the business as part of its corporate governance principles. Complying with the corporate principles have enabled the business to maximise sales and profits. In September 2020, Brandix collaborated with the United Nations Development Programme to promote the sustainable biomass energy especially when Sri Lanka was in the grip of a pandemic. Colombo Page News Desk, 2019
International policies of Australia and New Zealand to achieve gender equality
New Zealand's progress towards achieving gender equality
New Zealand has been able to maintain a strong and consistent clear pathway for the rights of women and the Government of New Zealand has taken steps towards achieving “Step It Up For Gender Equality”. Government of New Zealand mainly prioritized on women and girls in education and training and also to utilize the skills of them. UN Women, n.d.
Although there were lack of women representation from other communities such as Maori, Pasifika and LGBTQ; Jacinda Ardern’s government which was re-elected following the October 2020 elections addressed the concerns by including those communities in the parliament. Inter-Parliamentary Union, 2021 The 2019 Equal Measures 2030 SDG Gender Index report ranked New Zealand at 11th position out of 129 countries when it comes to the commitment of the nation in fulfilling the 17 stated sustainable development goals. New Zeland were given a score of 74 in the report for its moderate success regarding the average proportion of the ministerial as well as the senior government roles being held by women. Keogh, 2019
New Zealand Olympic Committee made special arrangements to send Laurel Hubbard, a transgender weightlifter for the 2020 Summer Olympics. She became the first transgender woman to be eligible to participate at the Olympics. Klosok & Ramsay, 2021 Such initiatives would pave way for more transgender athletes to compete in the multi-sport events such as the Olympics.
Australia's progress towards achieving gender equality
During the 2014 G20 Summit which was held in Brisbane, Australia; Australia promised that it would take steps to empower women by providing new financial literacy projects for women and also announced its intentions to reduce the gap in the women’s workforce by at least 25% as of 2025. CARE Australia, 2018 Notably, the Government of Australia released its strategy to boost the participation of women in workforce just before the commencement of the G20 Summit. Rimmer, 2017
The minister of foreign affairs of Australia initiated Gender Equality Fund to support the gender equality with the main focus on women’s economic and leadership participation. Government of Australia arranged a set of plans to promote gender equality as part of their target of achieving sustainable development goals. In September 2015, the Prime Minister of Australia Malcom Turnbull announced that a women’s safety package would be introduced amounting to 100 AUD million. The purpose of the women’s safety package is to facilitate a necessary practical and immediate action to ensure the safety of women as well as their children. In September 2016, the government of Australia launched Third Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children. UN Women, n.d.
As i know Sri Lankan apparel firm Brandix has invested 28$ million under five year plan to 100% carbon neutrality, so sustainability practices of brandix compared to other firms is unbelievable and much welcomed.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to businesses, it's anticipated that they'd be entirely oblivious to environmental challenges and even take a hand in aggravating them; hence, it's incredibly surprising that Brandix is focusing on this by taking steps towards a sustainable future. I hope other business take notes from this and revolutionise the idea of environmental responsibility in businesses.
ReplyDeleteBrandix has gone above and beyond the demonstrate how much sustainability means to them as a company and as a leading figure in their respective industry. The sustainability goals and ethics that Brandix values are highlighted on their website's section on sustainability. https://brandix.com/inspired-solutions/we-are-brandix/sustainability
ReplyDeleteThey also have a detailed and robust report focusing on sustainability for the year 2019 and 2020. This report goes into detail about their ethics, goals, practical implementation plans they have taken to ensure sustainability goals are met.
https://brandix.com/images/brandix-sustainabilty-report-2019-20.pdf
Brandix has always helped Sri Lanka, when it comes to the economy of Sri Lanka, not only that, they have successfully archived that with a vision of environmental sustainability.
ReplyDeleteBrandix's efforts for environmental sustainability are commendable. Many other corporates should take a cue from them.
ReplyDelete"Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." is what UN defined Sustainability.
ReplyDeleteBrandix's being one of the leaders in Sri Lankan apparel has made a lot of efforts for sustainable future, cutting out their carbon emissions being one of the major ones. Environmental sustainability is a growing concern in 21st century. I am really hopeful that this effort will lead to a better future, a sustainable one.
It's truly commendable how Brandix has managed to keep their head in the game and persevere in their efforts to attain environmental sustainability even though they had to face numeral obstacles during the course. With COVID pandemic still ongoing, it might be difficult to make progress as rapidly as before; however, it's still not completely impossible since, if there is one thing this pandemic has shown, it is that we need to think about the environment and the natural ecosystem around us.
ReplyDeleteYou must hand it to Brandix for showing such character when others in the industry, and most companies in this country simply forgo these things and focus solely on profit.
ReplyDeleteAnd with regards to gender equality I simply wish we could do that more often in our country as well.
Brandix's policies are not sustainable. Clearly they value profit over everything else and that is the reason for the second and on going coronavirus outbreak in Sri Lanka. All of their progressive policies are for PR points.
ReplyDelete