Communication on Progress

Participant
Published
  • 30-Jan-2018
Time period
  • January 2017  –  January 2018
Format
  • Stand alone document – Basic COP Template
Differentiation Level
  • This COP qualifies for the Global Compact Active level
Self-assessment
  • Includes a CEO statement of continued support for the UN Global Compact and its ten principles
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Human Rights
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Labour
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Environment
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Anti-Corruption
  • Includes a measurement of outcomes
 
  • Statement of continued support by the Chief Executive Officer
  • Statement of the company's chief executive (CEO or equivalent) expressing continued support for the Global Compact and renewing the company's ongoing commitment to the initiative and its principles.

  • January 31, 2018
    To our Stakeholders,
    I am pleased to confirm SUN Limited commitment towards the UN’s Global Compact initiative and its continued intent to embrace and act on the UN’s Global Compact “10 Principles” in the areas of Human Rights, Labour, Environment and Anti-Corruption.
    In this first annual Communication on Progress, we elaborate on the initiatives taken by SUN Limited to further integrate the Global Compact’s principles into our policies, SUNCARE Program and daily operations.
    We believe it is our duty as a growing business to endorse the COP’s principles and encourage our stakeholders to do so as well. We remain committed to conducting our business in an ethical manner and being active partners in shaping a sustainable future.

    We bind ourselves to continually share this information with all our stakeholders .
    Yours Sincerely,
    David Anderson
    CEO

Human Rights
  • Assessment, policy and goals
  • Description of the relevance of human rights for the company (i.e. human rights risk-assessment). Description of policies, public commitments and company goals on Human Rights.

  • SUN Limited, through its Code of Conduct, establishes a commitment to human rights, establishing rules that guarantee a work environment where everyone is respected, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion or any other condition

  • Implementation
  • Description of concrete actions to implement Human Rights policies, address Human Rights risks and respond to Human Rights violations.

  • SUN Limited corporate values and its Code of Conduct are at the core of its policies and practices to promote respect for human rights. SUN limited core corporate values are Integrity, trust, team work, passion and excellence. SUN Limited is also an active supporter of community involvement and a robust corporate and social responsibility policy.
    SUN Limited fully acknowledge its responsibility to its stakeholders to minimize the operational health, safety, environmental and food safety risk relating to its operations and products whilst maximizing guest satisfactions and shareholders value.
    SUN Limited strive to contact all its activities in a responsible, professional and competent manner and continuously to improve performance toward the ultimate objective of ZERO incident, injuries, failures or complaints with maximum effectiveness and efficiency.

    Zero Harm.
    Promoting a culture of “Zero Harm” in order to protect, as far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and wellbeing of its associates guests and visitors and the environment in the boundaries in which it operates.

    THE CODE
    SUN Limited is please to share that it remain a member of THE CODE since 2017

  • Measurement of outcomes
  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates performance.

  • SUN Limited continue to build a culture which values and respects all employees and their opinions. We remain committed to meritocracy which require diverse and inclusive culture.
    SUN Limited has not been subjected to nay investigation, legal cases or incidents involving Human Rights Violations.

    In line with its SHEQ requirement, subsidiaries shall implement an integrated Management System in compliance to ISO 9001: 2015, ISO 2200: 2005, ISO 14000: 2015 and operate within the governance of Health and Safety Legislation.

    EarthCheck Silver Certified
    Sun Limited Is the first hotel group in Mauritius to be EarthCheck Silver Certified. The performance of Sun limited was outstanding because none of the hotels had any major non-conformance.
    Achieving the EarthCheck certification is more than a mark of excellence – the process of being certified enable Sun limited to review systematically what was doing well in its sustainability initiatives through the SUNCARE Programme and identify improvement areas.

Labour
  • Assessment, policy and goals
  • Description of the relevance of labour rights for the company (i.e. labour rights-related risks and opportunities). Description of written policies, public commitments and company goals on labour rights.

  • Sun Limited recognizes its employees’ rights to freedom of associations and collective bargaining (Principle 3) and recogises the importance of having a well balance team through our policies that support diversity and non-discrimination (Principles 6). Sun limited opposes all forms of forced and compulsory labour (Principle 4).
    All Sun Limited employees are issued with a contract of employment which clear states their terms and conditions including pay rates and associated benefits. Additionally, all Sun staffs are issued with a Company Handbook which includes information on standard terms and conditions of employment, company benefits, company rules, grievance mechanism and disciplinary procedures.

    We hold regular training sessions for managers of our departments to raise awareness about labor related issues and how to deal with incidents on site or in our offices. We work hard to ensure that the companies and associations we deal with also meet the qualifications and policies that we set for ourselves. Any company that wishes to deal with Sun Limited has to go through a pre-qualification process (Supplier Code of Conduct) where in this case the company’s policies, are compared to Sun Limited’s policies and standards.

  • Implementation
  • Description of concrete actions taken by the company to implement labour policies, address labour risks and respond to labour violations.

  • We haven’t encountered any labor related violations so far; however violations can be documented by filling a form or report to Transparency Mauritius. These concerned are then reviewed by the management and actions are taken accordingly. We find that the application of these principles have helped us focus on our productivity and overall performance.

  • Measurement of outcomes
  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates performance.

  • The true value of our business lies in our people. We take price in working with the best talent in the industry. Sun Ltd attracts agile and adaptable people, capable of effectively dealing with and responding to rapidly changing circumstances. We challenge them to perform to the best of their ability and seize the opportunism a leading tourism hospitality can offer.
    The following key performance indicators show the progress with made in 2017.
    • Employee satisfaction Survey
    • Guest satisfaction survey
    • Sun Safety performance
    • Sun Quality index

Environment
  • Assessment, policy and goals
  • Description of the relevance of environmental protection for the company (i.e. environmental risks and opportunities). Description of policies, public commitments and company goals on environmental protection.

  • Sun Resort Ltd through its SUNCARE Programme strongly believes that “caring for the people and the planet” is not only a company responsibility but also a condition for long term business success. Sun Group is committed to pursuing a triple-bottom line approach of environmental, social and financial responsibilities by finding innovative ways to do more with less.

    As a responsible operator, we are committed to adhering to our legal obligations, sustained environmental protection, social responsibility, health and safety and conduct that reflect highest ethical values through continual improvement by ways of annual benchmarking assessment.
    We are committed to
    • Conserve natural resources and enhancing resources for future generation.
    • Protect ecosystem biodiversity.
    • Drive sustainable development.
    • Minimise pollution, reduce waste and the consumption of Group resources.
    • Report on key environmental, social and financial performance indicators through our Balance Scorecard.
    • Raise environmental awareness among our associates, suppliers, guests and communities.
    • Provide resources, training, equipment and other support to enable fulfilment of this policy
    • Review our performance and the effectiveness of Sun Group Environmental and Social Policy periodically to enable us to determine our next steps forward

    Special consideration will be given to employing and empowering local employees, and wherever possible sustainable products and services will be sourced locally in accordance with fair trade principles.

    We encourage our stakeholders to align with our commitment to environmental and social sustainability.

    This commitment is enforced by explicitly endorsing and sponsoring the UN’s Global Compact ‘10 Principles’

    To meet our commitments Sun Limited :
    • Has established a Corporate Sustainability Committee lead by the CEO to provide management an oversight and review of sustainability policies and performance, and allocate resources for effective direction and implementation;
    • Has established SUNCARE Program that addresses sustainability initiatives as per the triple-bottom line approach of environmental, social and financial responsibilities by finding innovative ways to do more with less.
    • SUNCARE Programmes strongly believes that “caring for the people and the planet” is not only a company responsibility but also a condition for long term business success.
    • Set and monitor key objectives and targets for managing our environmental performance at least annually through the balance score card;
    • Communicate internally and externally our sustainability policy on a regular basis, and encourage feedback;
    • Communicate the importance of environmental issues to staff;
    • Work together with our staff, professional colleagues, and suppliers to promote improved environmental performance;
    • Promote consideration of sustainability and environmental issues in the services we provide to our clients;
    • Review our Sustainability policy regularly.

  • Implementation
  • Description of concrete actions to implement environmental policies, address environmental risks and respond to environmental incidents.

  • Our Sustainability Commitment
    Sun Limited strongly believes that caring for the people and the planet is not only a company responsibility but also a crucial condition for long term business success. The Group is committed to pursuing a triple-bottom line approach to environmental, social and economic responsibilities by finding innovative ways to do more with less. This approach has spearheaded our sustainability programme called SUNCARE that we launched in 2017 to embed sustainability in the group’s business operations.
    The financial year 2016-2017 has been a year where Sun group has sharpened its commitment to sustainable tourism development. A sustainability specialist was recruited to drive the changes and processes that Sun wished to implement at all levels and a Sustainability committee was established. The Suncare sustainability programme was launched in 2017 with the aim of making sustainability part of the group’s business operations.
    Guided by the Global Reporting Initiative’s G4 materiality principles and approach, Sun Limited continues to engage with industry experts and stakeholders to evaluate our economic, environmental and social equity strategies. We consider an aspect to be material if it substantively affects the company’s ability to create value over short, medium and long term.

    Implementing Sustainable Business Values
    Governance
    Sun’s sustainability committee led by the CEO of Sun Limited, meets regularly to assess SUNCARE Programme’s key performance indicators in line with objectives set.
    Each hotel has set up its own sustainability committees, enthusiastically championed by its General Manager who assesses how sustainable practices are to be integrated in their day-to-day operations and monitor progress towards objectives set.
    Supply Chain
    SUN Resorts wholly-owned subsidiary, Supply Chain Experts Ltd, is responsible for the whole group’s procurement. As part of its SUNCARE Program, SUN Resorts has committed to ensure that Environmental and Social Risks associated with the manufacture, delivery and end-of-life of purchased goods are being managed responsibly.
    A Sustainable Procurement Committee will be set up in 2017-2018 to implement and further develop Suppliers’ on-boarding and management framework.
    Guest Satisfaction
    We strive to offer unique experiences, timeless memories and, exquisite surroundings and facilities, all designed to enrich, enhance and create everlasting memories for our guests while respecting the environment.
    Stakeholders Engagement
    Sun Limited ensures the right level of engagement and communication on its sustainability initiatives with all its stakeholders including its guests, investors, associates, local communities, suppliers and government through various collaterals.
    Associates
    SUN Limited was the first Mauritian group to collaborate with Great place to work@ institute in 2016. The aim was to recruit and retain the best candidates at Sun Limited through offering a dynamic and rewarding career within the group.

    Environmental engagement
    Energy
    Sun limited has invested significantly in energy-saving measures. One of the key measures implemented in all the properties was the replacement of all the traditional incandescent lighting with LED, thus optimizing natural energy.
    Our achievements for 2017:
    Successful creation of a baseline for each business unit through Earthcheck management
    Walkthrough audit to identify operational inefficiencies and implement quick fix changes to improve efficiency.
    In the pipeline:
    Detail process level audit to identify major energy consumption equipment, calculate efficiency and implement measures to improve efficiency.
    Water
    In a context of climate change and instability, SUN has maintained its focus on reducing water consumption and using water wisely. It has implemented the 3R approach (Reduce, Recycle, Reuse) across all its units to reduce water wastage and associated costs.
    Waste
    In line with our objectives of reducing waste, SUN has setup a series of measures. Several workshops have been conducted for our associates; the aim being to educate them on thinking sustainably about all aspects of hotel operations and corporate facilities.
    In 2017, SUN has implemented a Waste Management System (WMS) with the aim of reducing waste-to-landfill at all its properties. Through this system, we are already seeing enhanced reporting and transparency – which will ultimately result in an accurate baseline from which we can measure our diversion progress (% sent to landfill v/s % sent for recycling purposes).
    We have also setup a water bottling system, within the norms of HACCP, enabling us to significantly reduce our use of plastic bottles on property.
    SUN is also involved in Switch Africa Green’s pilot waste management program – the underlying objective of which is to put in place a structure where waste of a hotel can become the raw material for another company in the Mauritian industry.
    Biodiversity
    Marine Conservation Project
    SUN is working closely with the University of Mauritius and UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) on tackling challenges for SID (small Island Developing States) countries.
    Long Beach & Ambre Resorts have two marine biologists working to monitor and protect the ocean, specifically through awareness campaigns with hotel guests.
    Sun also partners with the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation for the protection of endangered animals.
    In line with its sustainability strategy, Sun is also participating on the MauriGAP (Mauritius Good Agricultural Practices) pilot project, the standards of which cover efficient use of resources, adoption of environmentally sound practices for natural resources, biodiversity preservation, harvesting best practices, health and safety measures, as well as agricultural waste recycling.
    Educating Associates
    Over the years, the Group has developed a learning culture where employees never stop learning and innovating. The Sun Training Institute (part of Sun Centralised Services) offers training capabilities, fostering best in-class practices and standards, promoting service behaviours amongst associates at all levels.
    Other Partners and associations
    Sun Limited is a member of The Code.org since March 2017, which is an association which protects children from sexual exploitation in travel and tourism. Several Awareness campaigns and workshops were done to educate our associates and to setup the right framework to enable them to act and report on suspicious behaviours.
    Innovation – From nothing to something
    SUN Ltd pioneered the Sew Chic Project which took up the challenge of making something new and useful out of material that would otherwise have gone to waste. A partnership with the School of Fashion and Design was established with the aim of promoting young talents, innovation and entrepreneurship. The students had the challenging task of converting old staff uniforms into decorative items.

    Community Engagement
    Sun Children Cancer Trust Fund
    Founded in 2008, the Sun Cancer Trust Fund has the objective of providing some relief and joy to children suffering from cancer and other related ailments. To this end, Sun Limited has adopted the Children’s Cancer Ward at the Victoria Hospital. In addition to undertaking continuous actions to improve the ward’s physical infrastructure and the comfort of the children, Sun Limited also organized last December a Christmas party with gifts for the children.
    Local community engagement
    Ambre supports the Mare La Chaux Government School in non-financial activities such as providing food, sound systems and entertainment for Independence Day and Music Day. Ambre also contributes to the End of year party for students and teachers.
    Long Beach supports the Flacq Disabled Persons center - several programmes have been ongoing since more than 3 years.
    Sugar Beach supports a number of local associations – one of them being SOS village.
    La Pirogue also supports a number of organisations like the senior Citizens of Flic-en-Flacq, the Women Association of Bamboo and the Flic-en-Flacq Govt school, among others.

  • Measurement of outcomes
  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates environmental performance.

  • Operational Excellence
    Earthcheck silver certification for the Mauritian properties
    EarthCheck is the world’s leading scientific benchmarking certification and advisory group for the travel and tourism industry, recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). EarthCheck assesses how well companies are managing the environmental impacts of their operations and certifies companies for having systems and procedures in place for driving continuous sustainable improvement.
    Sun Limited is the first hotel group in Mauritius to be Earthcheck Silver certified. The performance of Sun Limited was outstanding because none of the hotels had any major non-conformance.
    Achieving the EarthCheck certification is more than a mark of excellence – the process of being certified enabled Sun Limited to review systematically what it was doing well in its sustainability initiatives through the SUNCARE programme, and identify improvement areas.
    Travelife Sustainability Award for Ambre
    Ambre has achieved the prestigious Travelife Gold Certification for Hotels & Accommodations. Travelife – the international sustainability certification scheme – assesses a property’s performance in managing their social, environmental and economic impacts. Among some of the key actions taken by Ambre Resort are: recuperating cooking oil and plastic bottles for recycling and conducting educational campaigns for guests.
    TUI environmental champion award for La Pirogue
    La Pirogue is the only property to have been awarded the TUI Environmental Champion award in Mauritius during 2017. TUI rewards hotels that work for the protection of the environment while implementing their social responsibilities. Among some of the key actions undertaken by La Pirogue: considerable reduction of plastic bottles, informative brochures in guests’ rooms with tips on environment preservation and the planting of endemic plants in the heart of the hotel
    Mauritius Sustainability Stock Exchange Index
    To further demonstrate its commitment to sustainability, good governance and transparent business practices, SUN has made an application to be listed under the Stock Exchange of Mauritius Sustainability Index (SEMSI). The onsite audit is currently being conducted. During the financial year 2016-2017, we have successfully completed the initial screening test and expect to be listed on the SEMSI in the next financial year.

Anti-Corruption
  • Assessment, policy and goals
  • Description of the relevance of anti-corruption for the company (i.e. anti-corruption risk-assessment). Description of policies, public commitments and company goals on anti-corruption.

  • Sun Limited adopts a zero-tolerance policy for corruption. All Sun Ltd employees are advised to report any attempts of bribery, perjury or any form of corruption as per the employee handbook. Cases of corruption are taken very seriously, employees who are found involved are susceptible to serious actions. This policy is also followed with the companies and organizations that we deal with through Sun Ltd Supplier of Conduct. Companies that are known for previous cases of corruption are automatically blacklisted.

  • Implementation
  • Description of concrete actions to implement anti-corruption policies, address anti-corruption risks and respond to incidents.

  • A supplier Code of Conduct implemented by Sun Ltd regarding bribery, perjury and all other forms of corruption possible in our industry have been kept and upheld in all business dealings internally and externally.

    SUN has an established risk management process and framework to monitor and mitigate its exposure to risks. An Enterprise Wide Risk Management “ERM” framework is in operation to support the achievement of its strategic objective.

    The key elements of the ERM framework include:
    • Risk management policy and governance structure;
    • Risk tolerance and appetite assessment;
    • Risk identification, prioritization and response protocols;
    • Monitoring and reporting system and
    • Development of a risk awareness culture.

    The Board has duty to oversee the governance of risk, to set SUN’s risk tolerance and risk appetite. The Board has mandated the Audit & Risk Committee to ensure that the Company develop and executes a comprehensive and robust system of risk management and that management operates a sound internal control system.

  • Measurement of outcomes
  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates anti-corruption performance.

  • So far we haven't had any corruption cases that required dealing with, However if we face any cases in the upcoming future we intend to take serious measures to ensure that such cases are not repeated. Sun limited is constantly evaluated by independent Auditor such as EartheCheck Certification, the ISO certification board, Sustainability Stock Exchange of Mauritius as part of the certification process, SUNCARE Program, audits and other document monitoring procedures are performed.