Incite has been amongst the pioneers in sustainability and integrated reporting in South Africa and globally, advising companies, government agencies, intergovernmental organisations and NGOs on various aspects of reporting and stakeholder engagement. Some selected examples of reports that we have worked on or contributed to are presented below. In addition to contributing to the work of the South African and International Integrated Reporting Committees, Incite has also published various articles on integrated reporting.
Working closely with Vodacom’s investor relations and sustainability teams, and with the active engagement of Vodacom’s executive committee, Incite was influential in the design and implementation of the process behind Vodacom’s first and award-winning Integrated Report. This process with the executive had a significant influence on the development of Vodacom’s new Group strategy and its five strategic priorities. We believe that the process of actively engaging the full executive team – which we see as a fundamental component of an effective integrated reporting process – is demonstrated in the narrative of the report. South African companies have been identified as leading the way globally in terms of integrated reporting; Vodacom’s report is up there with the best of them.
Incite authored Sasol’s 2011 Sustainable Development Report entitled ‘Pursuing responsible growth‘ and the additional sustainability content that can be found on Sasol’s website. Sasol has been an early adopter of integrated sustainable development reporting, aiming to provide a report to its stakeholders on the company’s strategy, performance and activities in way that enables stakeholders to assess Sasol’s ability to create and sustain value over the short, medium and long term. Additional features this year included a topic index to direct readers to information of specific interest in the report, a diagram of Sasol’s integrated business model highlighting the company’s products and material impacts, and a QR barcode for smartphone users.
We have been working with retailer Pick n Pay since 2007, advising on their sustainability strategy, carbon footprinting, implementation plans, sustainable development reporting and systems integration. This year, we authored their sustainability report and contributed to their first Integrated Annual Report 2011. Moving from traditional triple bottom line to integrated reporting, PnP believes their 2011 report “gives a more balanced and integrated picture of the performance of the Group as a whole” but acknowledges they can make further improvements.
Amid MMI’s recent merger process, Incite worked with the organisation’s sustainability team to produce their 2011 Sustainability Report. This covered a snapshot of the company’s operations including governance, business sustainability, employees, social and environmental impacts, opportunities and initiatives. Incite also coached the team on their Integrated Annual Report, ensuring material sustainability elements and an integrated approach were adopted. Historically, Incite has worked with Metropolitan, (one of MMI’s founding companies), in developing their sustainability strategy and performance indicators.
Incite authored Transnet’s 2011 Sustainable Development Report which looks at how sustainability is being integrated into the company’s Quantum Leap business strategy (aligned to the government’s New Growth Path) and operations. The report is structured around six focus areas of the business: governance systems, safety, efficiency, environmental compliance and climate change, aligning with national development priorities, and corporate social investment.
Alongside our sustainability strategy and dashboard implementation work with The Foschini Group (TFG), we advised on the content of their Integrated Annual Report 2011. The report is structured to focus on the issues that have a material impact on TFG’s ability to create and sustain value, and outlines how these issues have been integrated within the company’s business strategy.
We helped MTN compile their Sustainability Report 2010, working closely with the sustainability team and engaging representatives from throughout the organisation to provide a comprehensive account of sustainability for the business. The report shows a significant change from the previous year, reflecting the changing internal conversation around sustainability within MTN. The content is structured around six focus areas that highlight MTN’s commitment to integrating sustainability into its core business operations.
Sasol has long been recognised for its leadership in annual financial and sustainability reporting, and last year was no exception, with Report Watch rating Sasol’s report amongst the best globally and the best in South Africa. Features of Sasol’s 2010 Sustainable Development report include: a detailed review of the link between Sasol’s core strategy and its approach to sustainability issues; comprehensive quantitative performance reporting on all material issues, with transparent benchmarking on safety and greenhouse gas emissions; commentary (online) against all of the GRI criteria, achieving an A+ application level rating; and a revised structure in response to stakeholder feedback. (Download PDF, 2.66Mb)
Incite was once again asked to assist Lonmin with their annual sustainability report. Lonmin’s 2010 web-based sustainability report provides a candid account of their sustainable development strategy and profile, management approach and performance for the 2010 reporting period. The report includes a frank assessment of Lonmin’s performance against their targets and material issues, reflects their understanding of the business case for sustainable development, and includes a detailed review and cross-reference against the GRI reporting criteria. (Download PDF, 3.55Mb)
