Agility, a global logistics provider headquartered in Kuwait, reported progress on its sustainability record in its “Driving Change” report, which examines the company’s 2011 and 2012 performance in three key areas including: environment, community engagement and employees.
In the last two years, Agility mapped the carbon footprint of more than 70 per cent of its core logistics operations for the first time and partnered with major customers to reduce carbon emissions. The company is working with customers, employees, subcontractors and suppliers in its drive to improve sustainability performance. It has also expanded its internal campaign to drive energy efficiency and waste management efforts.
“We offer our customers free carbon emissions reporting for their shipments,” said Tarek Sultan, Chairman and Managing Director, Agility. “We are also doing pioneering work to help customers ‘green’ their supply chains. In 2013 and beyond, Agility will be working more closely with its suppliers on sustainability issues.”
Agility’s strong presence in emerging markets gives the company an opportunity to contribute in the communities where it is present – primarily through initiatives aimed at youth and education, health, and environmental action. In 2011 and 2012, Agility volunteers in 60-plus countries launched more than 300 community projects that ranged from building schools in Cambodia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka to raising money for disadvantaged children in the Americas and Europe and helping children in the Middle East get access to education and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Agility logisticians helped the International Medical Corps deliver aid relief to more than 480,000 people living in refugee camps in South Sudan. They transported relief supplies after natural disasters in the Philippines, Pakistan, and Italy, and helped the humanitarian community carry out famine relief in the Horn of Africa. Agility also maintained its commitment to disaster response as part of the Logistics Emergency Teams (LETs) initiative launched under the auspices of the World Economic Forum. To date, LETs teams have assisted with the response to disasters in Japan, Pakistan, Haiti, Philippines and Myanmar and have been deployed in Indonesia, Nigeria, Kuwait and Turkey to prepare staging areas for regional disaster operations.
Agility employs more than 22,000 people around the world. The majority work for its commercial logistics business in emerging markets countries where job creation and professional growth are sustainable development priorities. The company maintains high standards for employment and is strengthening its global health and safety program. Agility has built a framework that provides protection and safeguards for migrant workers in the Middle East, training more than 80 per cent of the workforce in the region and conducting fair labour audits for the first time.
“As with all companies, we know that we have more to learn and more to do,” Sultan said. “This report helps us see where we are on our journey – the progress made and the road ahead.”