Sustainability
Our commitment and approach to a sustainable future
Sustainability
Our commitment and approach to a sustainable future
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Introduction
Alan Knight | Chief Sustainability Officer, WE Soda
Sustainability is a longstanding value for WE Soda and, looking ahead, we strive for continuous improvement.
Awareness of the climate crisis is pushing more consumers to seek out low-carbon solutions and products, as well as to favour those companies who are addressing the wider spectrum of environmental and social issues such as climate change, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, resource circularity, social inequality and geopolitical instability.
Our Sustainability Plan is therefore founded on the idea of working with our customers as partners – jointly developing products and solutions that will allow them to fulfil their own, and their customers', sustainability goals whilst also achieving ours. We call this ‘Sustainability-as-a-Service’ and together we will be able to achieve something collectively greater than would be possible individually.
Sustainability Plan
Sponsored by Alan Knight
We are excited to present what we believe is a first in the soda ash industry. Our new Sustainability Plan is realistic, honest, backed by science and published alongside the evidence that underpins it.
This plan is the result of 18 months of research, discussion and debate with all of our stakeholder groups; colleagues, investors, customers and sustainability experts.
Different parts of the plan have clear executive- or senior- level leaders acting as a sponsor, set site-specific targets, to which we hold ourselves accountable and encompass what are collectively known as the 5 Ps.
Our 6 Headline Targets
1. Safety
Zero high consequence accidents by 2028
2. Lowest carbon products
To always produce, at scale, soda ash with the world's lowest carbon footprint
3. Net Zero
Across all areas of our business by 2050 (excluding product use)
4. Water & nature
To be water neutral and nature positive by 2040
5. Diversity
50% of management team1 to be female by 2035
6. Sustainability Standards
All mines to achieve IRMA 75 by 2030, and IRMA 100 by 2040
The 5 Ps
"Embracing the science of planet sustainability, to enhance our product offer, adopting ever improving processes, in places where our communities and our people are safe and valued.”
Different parts of the plan have clear executive- or senior- level leaders acting as a sponsor, set site-specific targets, to which we hold ourselves accountable and encompass what are collectively known as the 5 Ps.
Discover the 5 Ps
Planet
Sponsored by Alan Knight
We want our plan to be shaped by understanding the longer-term trends, which are grounded in the science and evidence that informs regulation and influences customer asks, rather than waiting to be led by them.
An evidenced and science-based plan builds trust with the sustainability community, who in turn help shape public opinion, regulation, and customer demand, and consequently is protected from the ebb and flow of short-term politics. The literature and evidence that supports our plan has been consolidated into two documents: our Evidence Book and Case for Change.
Product
Sponsored by Bob Katsiouleris
Sustainability shouldn’t just be a goal—it should be a service. Something we actively offer to our customers—not just something we measure behind the scenes.
Our mission is simple: “To work with our customers as partners—to co-develop products, data, and solutions that help them meet their sustainability goals, while helping us meet ours.”
Process
Sponsored by Mehmet Ünver, Nazif Akay and Oğuz Erkan
WE Soda uses three different mining processes: Primary recovery (cavern-based) solution mining, conventional mining, and secondary recovery solution mining.
We are continuously reducing the carbon, water and waste footprint of our production processes and distribution systems, while looking for new ways of producing soda ash or serving (to serve) our customers.
Place
Sponsored by Mehmet Ünver, Nazif Akay and Oğuz Erkan
Being a good neighbour to the communities and ecosystems surrounding our main production sites and growing network of distribution hubs.
We want to support them wherever we can, protect the nature and watersheds around our sites, procure goods and services ethically and, where possible, locally. We must plan to leave these regions in a healthy state as and when we decommission key assets.
People
Sponsored by Mehmet Ünver, Nazif Akay and Oğuz Erkan
Like all companies, WE Soda is only as strong as the commitment from our employees and contractors. And, our employees should go home safe every day.
Maintaining and improving a safe and inclusive environment, where our colleagues are and feel valued, is essential. It is integral to employee satisfaction and productivity, making H&S critical to the smooth running of our operations, and a number one priority for WE Soda.
1 Management team = our global senior and middle management in all areas of our business.