GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY – SkyPower Global

Sustainability

SkyPower ‘s purpose-driven responsible business approach is reflected in every aspect of our operations, from how we engage with local communities and design our solar projects, to selecting partners and managing our environmental footprint.

Explore our sustainability initiatives

Our vision to power a sustainable world is guided by SkyPower’s commitment to the United Nations Global Compact and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We create transformational impact to 13 of the 17 SDGs through our work on advancing climate action, clean energy initiatives and social development programs worldwide.

SkyPower’s long-term responsible business strategy is focused on the social, economic, and environmental impacts of our operations, to offer sustainable development solutions for the present without compromising the needs of future generations.

2030 Agenda

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a global call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. SkyPower’s green, utility-scale solar PV energy projects directly impacts 13 out of the 17 Global Goals (SDGs) through our ‘People First’ approach to project development and corporate sustainability. In accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals framework, SkyPower monitors sustainability metrics to ensure progress in the areas of corporate governance, society, and the environment across all our global operations annually.

“The signing of 500 megawatts of solar power deal in Zimbabwe heralds the beginning of energy revolution and transition in the country, which will cement Zimbabwe’s position as the base for green and sustainable investment on the continent. We congratulate Zimbabwe for being the pioneer in Southern Africa in this promising sector for Africa’s transformation and we are extremely pleased to be associated with this initiative.” Antonio Pedro, Executive Secretary of UNECA

About ECA

Established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (UN) in 1958 as one of the UN’s five regional commissions, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa’s (ECA’s) mandate is to promote the economic and social development of its Member States, foster intraregional integration and promote international cooperation for Africa’s development. ECA is made up of 54 Member States and plays a dual role as a regional arm of the UN and as a key component of the African institutional landscape.

For more information, visit: www.uneca.org

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Lise Kingo
CEO & Executive Director of the UN Global Compact

The 17 SDGs are about people, planet, and prosperity. It will be a true global transformation that humankind has never seen before, and we only have 12 years to get the whole thing right. It all hinges on connecting the SDG country plans with the private sector and investments to redirect finance toward the 2030 Agenda. In this work, the private sector is crucial

Global Commitments

The Company upholds the highest commitment to protect the environment, respecting the natural habitats and resources in project development regions. SkyPower sets long-term environmental performance goals that are communicated at all levels of our global operations. SkyPower’s sustainability strategy focuses on the ecological integrity of our business and commercial activities to meet our sustainable development and climate initiatives. SkyPower’s continued efforts and responsibility to the environment is exemplified through its pioneering leadership and senior management team. We are the first global company to become a Strategic Champion of the United Nations Caring for Climate Initiative, as well as the first company to be awarded as the Sustainable Development Goals Champion by the UN Global Compact Network Canada.

UN Global Compact

As a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, the United Nations Global Compact is a call to companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with ten universal principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption. Launched in 2000, the mandate of the UN Global Compact is to guide and support the global business community in advancing UN goals and values through responsible corporate practices. With more than 10,000 companies and 3,000 non-business signatories based in over 160 countries, and more than 60 Local Networks,it is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world.

Business Ambition for 1.5 Degrees - Science Based Targets Initiative

The Science Based Targets initiative mobilizes companies to set science-based targets and boost their competitive advantage in the transition to a low-carbon economy. It is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and one of the We Mean Business Coalition commitments. The initiative defines and promotes best practice in a science-based target setting, offers resources and guidance to reduce barriers to adoption, and independently assesses and approves companies’ targets.

SkyPower committed to join the initiative at the UN Climate Action Summit in September 2019.

Caring for Climate

Launched by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2007, Caring for Climate is the UN Global Compact, the UN Environment Programme, and the secretariat of the Framework Convention on Climate Change’s initiative aimed at advancing the role of business in addressing climate change. It provides a framework for business leaders to advance practical solutions and help shape public policy as well as public attitudes. Chief executive officers who support the statement are prepared to set goals, develop and expand strategies and practices, and to publicly disclose emissions as part of their existing disclosure commitment within the UN Global Compact framework.

SkyPower is a Caring for Climate Strategic Champion.

Transparency International

Transparency International (TI) is the global civil society organization leading the fight against corruption. TI challenges the inevitability of corruption, and offers hope to its victims. With a global network. TI’s mission is to stop corruption and promote transparency, accountability, and integrity at all levels and across all sectors of society. SkyPower is a signatory of the TI Declaration against Corruption, which is consistent with and supportive of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

SkyPower is committed to expanding People-first PPPs in scale, and speed, to provide more people with access to better services at affordable prices.

People-first Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe’s International PPP Center for Excellence was established to strengthen the impact of PPPs by putting people first in projects, eradicating poverty, supporting vulnerable members of society, and protecting the planet. People-first Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) ensure that out of all stakeholders, ‘people’ are the priority. Its focus is on improving the quality of life of the communities, particularly those that are fighting poverty, by creating local and sustainable jobs that fight hunger and promote well-being, gender equality, access to water, energy, transport, and education for all, and promotes social cohesion, justice and disavow all forms of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, creed, and culture.

Global Citizen’s Report

The Global Citizenship Report provides our stakeholders, senior leadership and global team with an overview of the Company’s corporate sustainability strategies and the opportunity to reflect on our achievements over the past year. In addition, this report highlights the economic, environmental and social benefits made through our business and global citizenship activities, reaffirming SkyPower’s commitment to the United Nations Global Compact for each reporting year.

Global Citizenship Report SkyPower 2016

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Global Citizenship Report SkyPower 2017

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Global Citizenship Report SkyPower 2018

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Global Citizenship Report SkyPower 2019

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SkyPower Cares

SkyPower has allocated a significant portion of capital to our corporate responsibility programmes. In 2013, SkyPower started SkyPower Cares, a global initiative to gift portable solar systems to communities with no electricity access. SkyPower Cares has been successfully implemented in South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania. SkyPower’s corporate social responsibility programming brings measurable social, economic, and environmental impact to local communities as part of our sustainable business activities and approaches to project development. Through our work, we create a transformational impact on 13 of the 17 SDGs.

Global Engagements

SkyPower is actively involved in the United Nations and other multilateral initiatives focused on clean energy transition, sustainable business, and developing PPP following the guidelines of the UNECE. SkyPower engages in these forums as a thought leader on initiatives designed around the SDGs and our executive team are often speakers at these high-level gatherings.

UN SDG Business Forum – New York, USA