Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental
• Social
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• Implemented LED lighting and motion sensors at all sites to reduce energy usage.
• Implemented energy-efficient technology in some plants as part of new equipment procurement.
• Improved water recycling systems at several production facilities.
• Implemented “green bedding” process at Groot Drakenstein dairy farm using separated manure solids.
• Recycling programs for plastic, cardboard, and glass on-site.
• Use of fruit pips as boiler fuel substitute at some sites.
• Project underway to produce compost from decomposing pineapple waste in Eswatini.

Social Achievements

• Long-term enterprise development funding for Constitution Road Wine Growers farm, majority-owned by black, female farm workers.
• Financial support of R6.3 million to provide food hampers to affected communities during the Covid-19 lockdown.
• Supported LEAP Science and Maths Schools by donating over 29,000 cans of food.

Governance Achievements

• Governance practices are entrenched across the business in compliance with legislation and regulation, and in the application of the King lV Report on Corporate Governance.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Declining yields, accessibility, and cost competitiveness of inputs due to water shortages and climate change.
• Disruption in offtake leading to a large volume of fruit waste sent to landfill at the Eswatini operation.

Mitigation Strategies

• Sinking boreholes at most manufacturing plants to ensure water supply security.
• Improved water recycling systems.
• Project underway to produce compost from decomposing pineapple waste in Eswatini.
• Exploring more alternatives for waste management in 2021.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Water shortages
• Climate change impacts on rainfall patterns

Transition Risks

• Increasing regulation
• Consumer activism

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: King IV Report on Corporate Governance

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 5: Gender Equality

The group’s sustainability programme focuses on areas over which the business has direct control and aligns with these SDGs.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Range of plant-based protein ready meals
• Soya fruit products
• Lactose-free low-fat yoghurt
• Fruit-flavoured cultured soya
• Flavoured cultured coconut
• Flavoured coconut milk
• Fruit-flavoured cultured coconut smoothies

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Water consumption
• Energy consumption
• Waste generation and management
• Air emissions generation and management
• Responsible environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices

Environmental Achievements

• Solar installation completed at the fruit juice plant in Wellington.
• Additional boreholes sunk at Limpopo and Krugersdorp facilities to augment water supply.
• Rerouting of piping at Krugersdorp plant resulted in substantial water savings.
• Condensate return system installed at Limpopo operation to reduce water consumption, save energy, and reduce carbon emissions.
• New processing equipment with water recirculation system installed at Bethlehem plant.
• Continuous production runs at Groot Drakenstein plant resulted in lower chemical usage, less effluent, and more efficient energy use.
• Energy-efficient cooling units installed at Wellington refrigeration plant.
• Compost production from pineapple and citrus waste in Eswatini.
• Recycling of packing materials introduced in KwaZulu-Natal.
• Upgraded boilers at Groot Drakenstein site resulted in more efficient boilers and lower carbon emissions, energy, and water savings.

Social Achievements

• Not disclosed

Governance Achievements

• Governance practices entrenched across the business in compliance with legislation and regulation, and in the application of the King lV Report on Corporate Governance.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Declining yields, accessibility, and cost competitiveness of inputs due to water shortages and climate change.
• Water availability and security of supply identified as the group’s most significant environmental risk.

Mitigation Strategies

• Improved monitoring of water consumption.
• Boreholes installed at most manufacturing plants.
• Improved recycling systems.
• Condensate return system installed.
• New processing equipment with water recirculation system.
• Continuous production runs.
• Effluent self-treated at four sites and reused for irrigation.
• Installation of solar power at Wellington juice plant.
• Evaluation of solar power for Krugersdorp meat plant and biomass fuel for Eswatini plant.
• Implementation of LED lighting and motion sensors.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Not disclosed

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Water shortages
• Climate change impacts on rainfall patterns

Transition Risks

• Increasing regulation
• Consumer activism

Opportunities

• Renewable energy adoption
• Energy saving measures

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: King IV Report on Corporate Governance, UN SDGs (6, 7, 12, 13, 15)

Certifications: Null

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 6
• SDG 7
• SDG 12
• SDG 13
• SDG 15
• SDG 1
• SDG 2
• SDG 3
• SDG 5

The report details how various initiatives contribute to these goals.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Not disclosed

Awards & Recognition

• Not disclosed

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental Sustainability
• Social Sustainability
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced waste sent to landfill to 7% at Groot Drakenstein plant (93% reused or recycled)
• 95% waste recycling at Limpopo vegetable canning factory
• Implemented upcycling plan for wooden pallets
• Commissioned advanced wastewater treatment system at Groot Drakenstein
• 80% water supply from boreholes at Wellington juice factory
• First solar installation at Wellington juice plant operational
• Converted lighting to LED at all facilities

Social Achievements

• Attained 96.21 points on the amended AgriBEE sector code and improved its BBBEE rating to Level 2
• Black non-executive directors accounted for 40% of the board
• Female directors comprise 30% of the board
• Invested 2.5% of annual payroll on training and development of black employees
• Donated over 30,000 kg of excess food to charities

Governance Achievements

• Responsibility for oversight of sustainability issues delegated to the social and ethics committee
• Established an environmental and sustainability committee

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Landfill site capacity constraints in South Africa and Eswatini
• Water availability and security of supply
• South Africa's energy crisis and load shedding
• Climate change impacts on agricultural yields and resource access

Mitigation Strategies

• Waste reduction and repurposing initiatives
• Borehole commissioning and water storage tank installation
• Backup generators and investment in renewable energy technology
• Transition to renewable energy, process optimization, and steam line insulation

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• BBBEE supplier spend of 69.7% of total procurement
• 17.38% spent on procurement with qualifying SMMEs

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Drought
• Flooding

Transition Risks

• Changing regulations
• Market shifts

Opportunities

• Investment in renewable energy technology

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: King IV Code on Corporate Governance, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), National Development Plan, Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)

Certifications: Null

Third-party Assurance: Honeycomb BEE Ratings

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 2
• SDG 6
• SDG 7
• SDG 12
• SDG 13
• SDG 15

Initiatives aligned with specific SDG targets are referenced throughout the report.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Not disclosed

Awards & Recognition

• Not disclosed

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental Sustainability
• Social Sustainability
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced waste to landfill by 75% from 15,083 tons in 2020 to 1,480 tons in 2023.
• Reduced water consumption from 8.18 kl/ton of production in 2020 to 5.52 kl/ton in 2023.
• Reduced energy consumption from 214 kWh/ton of production in 2020 to 158 kWh/ton in 2023.
• Reduced CO2 emissions from 0.28 tons CO2/ton of production in 2020 to 0.25 tons CO2/ton in 2023.
• Achieved Rainforest Alliance Certification in Eswatini.

Social Achievements

• Attained 97.57 points on the amended AgriBEE sector code, maintaining its level 2 BBBEE rating.
• Invested 3.3% of annual payroll on training and development of black employees.
• Donated excess food products to various charities, including 89 tons to organizations in Eswatini and over 3,000 kg to Meals on Wheels and TLC Children’s Home in South Africa.
• Implemented an adult education and training program (ABET) with 50 learners completing the program and 90 currently enrolled.

Governance Achievements

• Established an environmental and sustainability committee with extensive technical expertise.
• Aligned short-term incentive schemes with environmental sustainability and transformation objectives.
• Board diversity: 56% black non-executive directors, 44% female directors.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Water scarcity and security of supply.
• Energy crisis in South Africa with widespread load shedding.
• Climate change impacts on agricultural yields and access to natural resources.

Mitigation Strategies

• Commissioned boreholes and installed storage tanks at various sites.
• Installed backup generators at all South African operations.
• Accelerated renewable energy infrastructure program with solar PV installations and battery energy storage solutions.
• Implemented water conservation measures such as installing pressurised spray nozzles and recycling water.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• 87.5% of total procurement spent with BBBEE suppliers (2023).

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Water scarcity
• Extreme weather events (drought and flooding)

Transition Risks

• Changing regulations
• Market shifts

Opportunities

• Investment in renewable energy technology

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), King IV Code on Corporate Governance, JSE: Sustainability and climate disclosure guidance papers, TCFD recommendations

Certifications: Rainforest Alliance Certification (Eswatini)

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

RFG's initiatives are aligned with these SDGs through food manufacturing, innovation, operations, and strategic CSI.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Not disclosed

Awards & Recognition

• Not disclosed

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Climate Change
• Water Management
• Waste Management
• Energy Consumption
• Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE)
• Social Upliftment
• Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Environmental Achievements

• Generated almost 5,000 MWh of renewable energy (two and a half times more than the prior year). Solar energy solutions are now operational at eight of the production facilities.
• Reduction in GHG emissions and waste intensity
• Reduced waste to landfill
• Increased water recycling and reuse

Social Achievements

• Improved BBBEE rating to level 1.
• Invested R44 281 046 on the training and development of black employees.
• Donated 134 tonnes of food products.
• Implemented measures to address the pay differential between the highest and lowest paid employees.

Governance Achievements

• Enhanced board governance practices and processes.
• Implemented policies on acceptance of gifts, confidentiality, whistleblowing, and zero tolerance for harassment and bullying.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Constrained utility supply (water and electricity).
• Weak economic conditions impacting consumer spending.
• Supply chain disruptions.
• Climate change impacting raw material supply.
• Civil and political climate risk.

Mitigation Strategies

• Generators installed at all production plants.
• Investment in renewable energy (solar power).
• Alternative water sources explored.
• Diversified supply base and sourcing from different climatic zones.
• Business continuity plans updated.
• Broader range of shipping lines and service providers used.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Regular engagement with key suppliers to ensure consistent supply.
• Ongoing review and expansion of the supplier base.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Water shortages
• Extreme weather events (drought, high-intensity rainfall, flooding, hail)

Transition Risks

• Pressure from customers to commit to more ambitious climate targets

Opportunities

• Development of energy-efficient products
• Investment in renewable energy infrastructure

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: IFRS Foundation Integrated Reporting Framework, JSE Sustainability Disclosure Guidance, King IV Report on Corporate Governance 2016, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Triple Bottom Line, Planetary Boundaries, The Paris Agreement, Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, IoDSA King IV Guidance Paper: Responsibilities of governing bodies in responding to climate change, IoDSA: Climate change risk and responses guide, IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information, IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures, Presidential Climate Commission: Just Transition Framework, JSE: Sustainability and climate change guidance papers

Certifications: Rainforest Alliance, FSSC 22000, IFS Food Standard, BRCGS Global Food Safety Standard, ISO 9001, ISO 17025

Third-party Assurance: Ernst & Young Inc (EY) (financial information only); Honeycomb BEE Ratings (BBBEE scorecard)

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
• Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
• Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
• Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
• Goal 13 (Climate Action)
• Goal 5 (Gender Equality)
• Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities)
• Goal 4 (Quality Education)

RFG's initiatives contribute to these goals through water conservation, renewable energy investment, BBBEE initiatives, waste reduction, climate action, gender equality, supplier development, and skills development.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Plant-based protein ready meals and dairy alternative products
• Recyclable packaging options

Awards & Recognition

• Rainforest Alliance certification (Eswatini)