Chill Brands Group PLC
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2019, 2020-04-01 to 2021-03-31, 2022, 2023)
Reporting Period: 2019
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:5,756 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent
ESG Focus Areas
- Corporate social responsibility
- Corporate environmental responsibility
Environmental Achievements
- Established a new subsidiary, Highlands Water Resources, to distribute water recycling technology, processing up to 500 barrels of water per day.
Social Achievements
- Aims to conduct business with honesty, integrity, and openness, respecting human rights and the interests of shareholders and employees.
- Strives to create a safe and healthy working environment for staff and a trusting and respectful environment.
Governance Achievements
- Appointed a new Finance Director and Company Secretary.
- Passed a Special Resolution regarding the reduction of capital to create distributable profits.
Climate Goals & Targets
Environmental Challenges
- Water supply disruptions in Colorado due to drought conditions impacting operations.
- Higher than initially forecast operating costs in the second quarter of the calendar year, largely related to one-off costs of workovers and establishing a gas pipeline.
- Concerns from local communities regarding development plans at the West Denver project.
- Financing risk due to insufficient internally generated revenues to fully finance investments and development.
Mitigation Strategies
- Moved two E10X modular water-recycling units to the East Denver location to treat production and flow-back water.
- Operator confirmed that future monthly costs will be considerably reduced.
- Withdrew permits for the West Denver project and continue to consider the most appropriate way to manage this project.
- Secured a $500,000 loan facility (undrawn).
Supply Chain Management
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Adverse weather conditions affecting quality and quantity of production and levels of farm inputs.
Reporting Period: 2020-04-01 to 2021-03-31
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:Not disclosed
Scope 1 Emissions:Not disclosed
Scope 2 Emissions:Not disclosed
Scope 3 Emissions:Not disclosed
Renewable Energy Share:Not disclosed
Total Energy Consumption:Not disclosed
Water Consumption:Not disclosed
Waste Generated:Not disclosed
Carbon Intensity:Not disclosed
ESG Focus Areas
- Environmental Responsibility
- Corporate Social Responsibility
Environmental Achievements
- Material reduction in greenhouse gas emissions due to divestment from oil and gas.
Social Achievements
- Zoetic products received multiple awards from various beauty and wellness organizations.
- Commitment to establishing a diverse Board of Directors.
Governance Achievements
- Continued to assess the situation and is prepared to take steps to establish an Audit Committee.
- The Board is committed to adopting a formal Code of Corporate Governance when it is appropriate to do so.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Not disclosed
Medium-term Goals:
- Not disclosed
Short-term Goals:
- Not disclosed
Environmental Challenges
- Risks relating to legacy oil and gas assets.
- Risks associated with laws and regulations relating to CBD.
- Product viability.
- Success of quality control systems.
- Product recalls.
- Product liability.
- Industry competition.
- General risks relating to the Group’s financial position.
- Risks arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Supply and logistics challenges.
- IT security and brand protection risks.
Mitigation Strategies
- Ongoing divestment of legacy natural resources assets.
- Commitment to legal compliance and scientific merit.
- Extensive product testing.
- Detailed procedures in place for testing products.
- Product liability insurance policies.
- Sustained cost-cutting exercise.
- Engagement with suppliers and partners to secure continuity of operations.
- Numerous initiatives, protections, and countermeasures to ensure that its interests and those of its shareholders and customers are insulated against IT security and brand protection risks.
- International trade marks and patent applications.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Not disclosed
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: Null
Certifications: Null
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Chill and Zoetic product lines
Awards & Recognition
- Editor’s Choice, The Beauty Shortlist Wellbeing Awards - Zoetic 1,000mg CBD Oil
- Best New Wellness Product, Pure Beauty London Awards - Zoetic Calming Natural CBD Oil
- Best Natural Skincare Product, Global Green Beauty Awards - Zoetic Jasmine and Lavender CBD Night Cream
- CBD Hero, Glamour Wellness Power List - Zoetic Calming Natural CBD Oil
- Best New Hand Cream, The Global Makeup Awards - Zoetic Lemongrass and Ylang Ylang CBD Hand Cream
- Best UK Beauty Brand Bronze Award, The Global Makeup Awards - Zoetic
- Best CBD Product, The Global Makeup Awards - Zoetic CBD Facial Drops
- Best Body Product Silver Award, The Global Makeup Awards - Zoetic Regenerate CBD Massage Oil
- Best for Sleep, GQ Grooming Awards - Zoetic Blood Orange CBD Oil
- Editor’s Choice, The Beauty Shortlist - Zoetic CBD Oils
- Best Hand Cream, Top Sante Body Care Awards - Zoetic Lemongrass and Ylang Ylang CBD Hand Cream
Reporting Period: 2022
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:Not disclosed
Scope 1 Emissions:Not disclosed
Scope 2 Emissions:Not disclosed
Scope 3 Emissions:Not disclosed
Renewable Energy Share:Not disclosed
Total Energy Consumption:<40,000kWH/year
Water Consumption:Not disclosed
Waste Generated:Not disclosed
Carbon Intensity:Not disclosed
ESG Focus Areas
- Environmental Responsibility
- Corporate Social Responsibility
Social Achievements
- Strive to create a safe and healthy working environment for the wellbeing of our staff and to create a trusting and respectful environment, where all members of staff are encouraged to feel responsible for the reputation and performance of the Group.
- Aim to establish a diverse and dynamic workforce with team players who have the experience and knowledge of the business operations and markets in which we operate.
Governance Achievements
- The Board is committed to maintaining appropriate standards of corporate governance.
Climate Goals & Targets
Environmental Challenges
- Complex distribution arrangements and a flawed operating model made it difficult for the Group to deliver on the levels of growth that management had hoped for.
- Financial and logistical constraints meant that it was not possible to continue pursuing a swift and aggressive rollout of products to US retail stores.
- Many of those stores that were activated failed to generate consistent product sales as a result of challenging market conditions in combination with a deficient sales support program.
- High cost of slotting fees, promotional activities, and logistics which elevated the cost of goods sold.
- Significant promotional discounts were also offered in combination with free sample products in order to facilitate the entry of Chill products into select retail locations.
- Lower margins achieved on sales to distributors.
- Supply chain and logistics issues delayed delivery of products.
- Logistical issues delaying the import of the Group’s products to the United States prevented additional sales from being made.
- In certain cases, the Group’s distribution relationships did not prove to be fit for purpose.
- The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the retail environment.
- Industry-wide issues relating to driver shortages, warehousing, international logistics, and transport may affect the availability and timely movement of the Group’s products.
- Some of the finished products sold by the Group are sourced from multiple component parts that are manufactured internationally.
- Local regulations could prevent the timely export of CBD and other products, resulting in delays and disruption to the Group’s operations.
- Risks associated with laws and regulations relating to CBD and synthetic nicotine.
- Product liability claims.
- Success of quality control systems.
- Product recalls.
- Industry competition.
- Risks relating to any liabilities arising from its former activities in the natural resources sector.
Mitigation Strategies
- Taken strides to reduce spending and address issues with its distribution model.
- Marketing schemes that did not yield consistent results have been replaced with strategies that are intended to provide a firm foundation for growth, with an emphasis on reaffirming the position of the Group’s products within the retail environment.
- Focus on brand building on a budget.
- Greater attention will be paid to search engine optimisation (SEO), brand consistency, and the targeting of relevant customers.
- Pivoted towards a digital-led sales model.
- Focus on targeted sales within select high-performing outlets, prioritising volume of unit sales over store count.
- Engaged with Fabric – an innovative product fulfilment company providing state-of-the-art pick and pack services from centres across the United States.
- Developed direct relationships with retail and distribution partners.
- Cost-cutting exercise to ensure that the Group’s business model remains lean.
- Engaged with all suppliers and partners to secure the continuity of its operations and continues to develop controls and procedures to limit the impact of any such risks.
- Building and maintaining of robust systems which ensure that our products and operations comply with the regulatory regimes of multiple jurisdictions.
- Maintains product liability insurance policies.
- Detailed procedures in place for testing its products.
- Modified strategy that is more appropriate for its size and level of resources.
- Focusing more closely on a smaller number of retail outlets before scaling in a sustainable way over a longer period of time.
- Consolidating the Zoetic product range in order to prioritise the best-selling products while making room for novel product category entrants.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:36.59 tCO2e/year
Total Energy Consumption:65,174 kWh/year
ESG Focus Areas
- Environmental Responsibility
- Corporate Social Responsibility
Environmental Achievements
- Implemented measures to minimize ecological footprint, including encouraging recycling programs for vape product components and working with suppliers prioritizing sustainable sourcing and manufacturing processes.
Social Achievements
- Prioritizes safety and well-being of customers by adhering to strict product quality control measures and promoting responsible vaping practices, including age verification procedures and clear communication on potential risks.
- Strive to create a safe and healthy working environment for the wellbeing of our staff and to create a trusting and respectful environment, where all members of staff are encouraged to feel responsible for the reputation and performance of the Group.
Governance Achievements
- The Board is committed to maintaining appropriate standards of corporate governance. The Company strives to maintain a balance between conservation of limited resources and maintaining robust corporate governance practices.
Climate Goals & Targets
Environmental Challenges
- Challenging market for CBD consumer products due to regulatory uncertainty, limited market access, hindered distribution channels, inconsistent sales performance, and fluctuating prices.
- High costs of operation relative to sales results.
- Regulatory risks associated with vapour products, including age restrictions, packaging requirements, advertising restrictions, and product safety standards.
- Risks related to public health concerns surrounding vaping.
- Risks associated with laws and regulations relating to CBD production, labelling, and distribution.
- Potential product liability claims.
- Industry competition.
Mitigation Strategies
- Redirected efforts and resources towards diversified business activities, including the sale of nicotine-free vapour products and the development of an e-commerce marketplace.
- Comprehensive cost optimisation program focusing on enhancing operational efficiency and reducing reliance on external providers.
- Careful monitoring of regulatory developments and close collaboration with manufacturing partners to ensure product safety and quality.
- Proactive steps to ensure responsible vaping practices, including age verification and clear communication of risks.
- Building and maintaining robust systems to ensure compliance with regulatory regimes in multiple jurisdictions.
- Maintaining product liability insurance policies.
- Cost cutting measures to ensure that the Group’s business model remains lean while ensuring all commercial infrastructure is properly resourced.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Work with suppliers who prioritize sustainable sourcing and manufacturing processes.