Home | ESG |Environment
We acknowledge the impact of our business operations on the environment and the importance of using natural resources responsibly.
Carbon emissions disclosure and reporting
| Metric tonnes CO2e | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| Greenhouse gas emissions by scope | |||||
| Scope 1 | 5 404 | 6 090 | 8 071 | 7 802 | 8 309 |
| Scope 21 | 47 329 | 48 501 | 37 176 | 33 689 | 29 4802 |
| Intensity metrics3 | |||||
| Scope 1 and 2 emissions per full-time equivalent employee | 8,92 | 11,38 | 9,85 | 7,55 | 8,40 |
| Scope 1 and 2 emissions per R million revenue | 6,42 | 5,51 | 4,03 | 3,02 | 2,63 |
| 1 | Location based |
| 2 | Decrease in Scope 2 emissions due to increased onsite solar energy generation. |
| 3 | Based on gross global combined Scope 1 and 2 emissions per CO2e tonne. |
Stationary fuel combustion 4 226 tCO2e
Mobile combustion 4 236 tCO2e
Reunert electricity (owned sites)
Upstream leased
assets
4 521 tCO2e
Business travel
67 tCO2e
Employee commute
4 080 tCO2e
Purchased goods
and services
285 501 tCO2e
Waste
624 tCO2e
| 1 | FY24 data includes increased scope of reporting to improve ESG disclosure. |
| 2 | Percentage of total carbon footprint. |
Our Scope 2 emissions decreased by 12% to 29 480 CO2e due to the increased solar energy generated onsite.
Carbon tax compliance
Reunert remains informed of amendments to carbon tax regulations both locally and internationally. The South African National Environmental Air Quality Act’s Carbon Tax Act, 15 of 2019 incentivises renewable energy and zero-emission processes to drive a sustainable future. Businesses are required to pay carbon tax should they use stationary equipment to combust 10 MWs at a facility, regardless of fuel type.
None of Reunert’s business units trigger the threshold for stationary combustion. This is assessed annually to ensure compliance. At this stage, as Reunert falls below the threshold, no submissions to the Department of Environmental Affairs and National Treasury are required.
Read more about Reunert’s environmental legislation risk assessment in the Setco report.
Climate Change Act compliance
Reunert welcomes the promulgation of the South African Climate Change Act 22 of 2024. The Act enforces rigorous requirements to curb greenhouse gas emissions. While compliance will necessitate substantial operational and financial adjustments, it also offers potential benefits such as tax incentives and access to funding. Reunert will continuously endeavour to proactively invest in green technologies and processes to mitigate climate change risks, enhance market positioning, and capitalise on financial incentives.
All Reunert’s business units already disclose annual carbon emissions. This practice will continue to ensure compliance with the mandatory emissions data reporting as stipulated in the Climate Change Act.
Reunert’s Sustainability Strategy Framework identifies significant opportunities for the Group to support the energy transition and energy security by:
Our total solar energy output increased by 12% to 3 466 MWh (2023: 3 095 MWh).
Renewable energy is an important initiative to reduce Scope 2 emissions. Reunert has installed a 297 kW peak solar photovoltaic (PV) system at Reunert Park in Midrand, a 429 kW peak solar PV system at Fuchs Electronics and a 1,1 MW peak system at CBi-electric: low voltage and 2 MW peak system at CBI-electric: african cables.
The Electrical Engineering and Applied Electronics Segments have the highest energy consumption in the Group due to their energy-intensive manufacturing operations.
Energy solutions for our clients
Reunert’s solutions enable our customers to reduce energy costs and improve profitability
Understanding energy efficiency technology in electrical design is critical to design and advise our clients, ensuring they benefit in the short, medium and long term.
We provide accurate measurement and management of our customers’ companies and product carbon footprints.
We manage our customers’ sites on an ongoing basis using our energy monitoring and management software solution.
In 2024, the Group’s grid electricity usage increased by 5% to 57 776 MWh (2023: 54 941 MWh). This was driven mainly by increased production at CBi-electric: zamefa and CBi-electric: african cables. The Group’s energy consumption reflects the higher production levels that contributed to the strong revenue growth in 2024.
Reunert manages load shedding using generators and solar energy. Onsite backup energy from diesel generators decreased by 6% to 2 249 MWh (2023: 2 389 MWh) driven by national load shedding suspension. Our solar PV energy output increased by 12% to 3 466 MWh (2023: 3 095 MWh).
| MWh | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| Grid electricity | 59 523 | 59 408 | 48 083 | 54 941 | 57 776 |
| Solar | 1 190 | 1 105 | 2 543 | 3 095 | 3 466 |
| Diesel | 1 221 | 1 297 | 2 076 | 2 389 | 2 249 |
| Total energy consumption (MWh) | 61 934 | 61 810 | 52 703 | 60 425 | 63 491 |
The Group acknowledges the need to protect scarce water resources. Our manufacturing processes are not water-intensive however we plan to identify potential water-saving areas in our value chain through engagement with stakeholders.
Our total recycled water increased by 3% to 52 104 kL (2023: 50 796 kL).
| Water consumption (kL) | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| Municipal supply | 177 356 | 234 510 | 227 604 | 227 406 | 236 827 |
| Borehole withdrawal1 | 6 551 | 1 179 | 12 916 | ||
| Rainwater harvesting | 34 395 | 112 | 52 | 3 | 3 |
| Water recycled | 57 095 | 46 094 | 58 314 | 50 796 | 52 104 |
| Total water consumption | 275 397 | 281 895 | 285 969 | 278 205 | 301 850 |
| 1 | Borehole water was measured by CBi-Energy: Telecoms Cables in prior years. |
Reunert’s Sustainability Strategy Framework identifies significant opportunities for the Group to work towards zero waste by:
We monitor waste generated through production to identify opportunities for reduction. Waste generation data gaps have been identified and focused action plans will be developed to improve reporting. Waste to landfill waste was reduced by 14% in 2024.
Our recycled waste increased by 8% to 32 360 tonnes (2023: 29 963 tonnes).
| 20221 | 20232 | 2024 | |
| Total waste (tonnes) | 299 137 | 203 845 | 226 426 |
| 1 | Historical data recalculated for accuracy. |
| 2 | Historical data adjusted to correct totals. |
