Henkel Singapore staff pledge for climate action

With the Singapore government planning to impose a carbon tax on businesses from 2019, sustainability is expected to rise on organisations' agenda.

Though already recognised in the area of sustainability, Henkel is intensifying its sustainable activities through 100% employee engagement on climate action pledge, school and community projects; moves to 100% solar energy use.

At an event today launching its 2018 Year of Climate Action, the German chemical and consumer goods company behind well-known brands including Loctite, Schwarzkopf, and Persil is the first to have its over 120 employees in Singapore make their pledge for climate action in the following areas.

Acting sustainability in the workplace

By switching to recycled paper and solar energy for all its electrical sources, the German multinational expects to save abour 104 tons of CO2 emissions. Notably, the Henkel Group aims to get 100% of its electricity consumption globally from renewable resources by 2030.

At the same time, the 'Bring Your Own Cup' initiative (starting 1 March) aims to eliminate the use of 18,000 paper cups and 5,000 plastic water bottles. The firm also aims to stop using plastic bottled water altogether by 1 June. While the use of centralised waste bins already helps the company save 13,000 trash bags every year.

Other initiatives Henkel has in place for sustainability in the work place include increasing the aircon temperatures, and implementing daily earth hour from 12pm to 1pm where all lights in the office will be switched off.

"Globally, including in Singapore, Henkel is committed to leadership in sustainability. As such, we want to intensify our company and employees’ contributions to sustainable development," said Thomas Holenia, president of Henkel Singapore and managing director of Henkel’s Global Supply Chain Hub in Singapore.

READ MORE: Suite Talk: Thomas Holenia, president of Henkel Singapore

Sharing sustainability knowledge with children

As trained sustainability ambassadors, with support from the Public Utilities Board, Henkel's employees visit preschools such as Little Footprints Preschools every year on World Water Day (22 March) to teach young children simple tips to be sustainable at home. The firm also sponsors ‘Be a Bucket Filler’ journals for 17 Little Footprints Preschools, and donates sustainable products - such as Dial Liquid Hand Wash Soap and Pril Sensitive Aloe Vera Dishwashing Liquid - to the Joules Smart Centre at Bukit View Secondary School.

Engaging in corporate volunteering

To tackle marine plastic waste, on Henkel Day in September, sustainability ambassadors will participate in coastal cleanup and plastic debris sample collection at Tanah Merah beach as part of the NUS‒NParks Marine Debris Monitoring Programme.

Sustainability at home

Additionally, Henkel Singapore has launched a campaign to encourage employees to set up a recycling corner at home. As an incentive, employees who share pictures of their home recycling corners will each receive a $20 CapitaLand voucher.

ALSO READ: Q&A: Jarrod Patterson, HR director of South Asia, and HR business partner for operations and purchasing, Asia Pacific, Henkel

On the reason behind the firm's focus on sustainability, Holenia explained: "Sustainability is both a business and personal topic. As such, we encourage our employees to make an impact in their personal lives. With our home recycling corner campaign, I am hopeful of the potential multiplier effect as household members get involved and become advocates of responsible consumption, disposal and recycling.

"Every individual and organisation can make a difference. At Henkel, we embrace this responsibility to contribute to Singapore’s 2018 Year of Climate Action. We have only one planet. If we want to live well within the given resource limits – today and in the future – it will take everyone’s commitment."

Scroll through the gallery to check out photos from the event:

[gallery link="file" ids="97598,97599,97600,97601,97602"]

Photo / 123RF