Our Sustainable Development Commitments

Finlays is committed to a sustainable future - because there is no other future

• We seek to address social, political and environmental issues by demonstrating that it is more financially rewarding to be sustainable
•  We aim to have ‘zero net impact’ as our minimum environmental standard; overall we commit to making a positive contribution to environmental recovery and resilience. [1]
• We strive to make Finlays an enjoyable and rewarding place to work, that nurtures and develops our people for the benefit of the individual, the company, and the community.
• We will take an active leadership role in dealing with sustainability issues and share our knowledge for the benefit of our suppliers, communities and society in general
•  We will develop and provide sustainable products and services that contribute positively to the health and well-being of society

Finlays seeks to address social, political and environmental issues by demonstrating that it is more financially rewarding to be sustainable.

• Regularly review our businesses performance taking action to increase the long term sustainability of our business portfolio over time.
• Explore and exploit new business opportunities presented by our skills and knowledge which are in keeping with our sustainability goals
•  Maintain sufficient diversity in both our markets and products to ensure resilience
• Make the true cost of production (economic, environmental and social) clear and ensure, over time, that it is reflected in the price of the product
• Communicate openly with our supply chain, the local community, pressure groups and the wider public about the case for sustainable development 
• Behave with honesty and integrity

Finlays aims to have ‘zero net impact’ as our minimum environmental standard; overall we commit to making a positive contribution to environmental recovery and resilience.

• Understand the likely impact of climate change and develop appropriate adaptation measures for our operations and the communities in which we operate 
• Undertake to be carbon restorative and minimise use of other greenhouse gases
• Continuously improve our resource management and reduce our waste generation.
• Practice excellence in our management of water resources
• Undertake leadership in community watershed management.
• Reduce and eliminate the use and release of pollutants wherever possible[2]
• Protect and enhance biodiversity in the countries in which we operate
• Demonstrate and promote sustainable pest and disease management, eliminating any negative impact on the environment
• Maintain soil health through sustainable agricultural practices and avoid soil degradation by taking measures to prevent contamination and erosion.
•  Demonstrate excellence in forestry management

We strive to make Finlays an enjoyable and rewarding place to work, that nurtures and develops our people for the benefit of the individual, the company, and the community.

• Employ our workforce according to universal international standards
• Protect the health of our workforce and promote healthier lifestyles
•  Treat our employees fairly, with dignity and respect
•  Develop our employees life and business skills
• Empower all our employees to make their voices heard through democratic worker representative bodies
• Demonstrate leadership in equal opportunity employment, thriving as an ethnically and culturally diverse company 
• Encourage and facilitate female representation and their contribution to the business
• Reward our employees for achieving the company’s business objectives
• Educate our employees on the values and principles of sustainable development
• Ensure that all employees, and their resident dependents, have access to food and shelter, sanitation, clean water and primary health care.

 Finlays will take an active leadership role in dealing with sustainability issues and share our knowledge for the benefit of our suppliers, communities and society in general.

• Take a collaborative approach to addressing sustainability challenges and policy, engaging with growers, suppliers, customers, government, NGOs, union and industry bodies.
• Take a leadership role in supplier and smallholder development
• Demonstrate and provide best practice for our suppliers in crop selection, sustainable farming techniques, production processes and environmental management
• Share knowledge with our suppliers and provide access to market with reasonable returns
• Be a catalyst for positive change in the communities we serve
• Educate our communities on the values and principles of sustainable development.

 Finlays will develop and provide sustainable products and services that contribute positively to the health and well-being of society.

•  Reduce the lifecycle impact of each of our products
• Ensure sustainability is built into our New Product Development processes
• Provide research and development capability exploring innovative, sustainable processes and products
• Deploy sustainable processing technologies to increase product efficiency and competitiveness
• Package our products in the most sustainable way possible using sustainable packaging innovation
• Transport our goods in the most efficient and sustainable manner possible
• Proactive in supporting an equitable and ethical trading environment for our products

Sustainable forestry is a critical part of our fuel resources

 Finlays Hydro Electricity plant in Kericho