Sustainability ‘champions’ were appointed to oversee important areas within the company as part of the ‘Step Towards Greener’ campaign which is colouring everything that Dulux does. The ‘champions’ are mandated to ensure that impact reduction targets are met in a variety of areas including: energy; transport and travel; waste and resources; people and communities; and products and services. Comprehensive carbon footprint reporting has also been implemented.

“We are basically painting our company greener from within as we strive towards improving our sustainability levels across all aspects of our operations,” said Pradesh Naidu, Dulux’ sustainability manager. “By breaking down internal business categories and having each one championed by a committed individual, we are able to make a big difference in the way that we do things.”

Interventions implemented by Dulux are across-the-board, including: installing lighting sensors; installing rainwater harvesting tanks; installing heat pumps and solar geysers; using fuel efficient additives in transport vehicles; and wherever possible opting for web and video conferencing hook-ups instead of carbon-emitting travel journeys.

“Our approach is all-embracing so that we can make sure that we are genuinely making a difference that can have a meaningful and lasting effect over time,” stressed Naidu. “We are highly cognizant of the impact of our products and services on the environment and the communities in which we operate by being vigilant about our use of energy, the way in which products are transported and the way in which natural resources are used to minimize waste.”