The V&A Waterfront has become the first African company of its size and magnitude to achieve Diamond class status under the Heritage Environmental Management classification.
The V&A Waterfront’s journey with Heritage Environmental Management began in 2012 with a Silver classification. After establishing a Sustainability Committee, the Waterfront soon rose to Gold and then Platinum classification.
To achieve Platinum class, businesses must have a fully integrated environmental management system in place, and must score a minimum of 94% on their annual environmental sustainability audits.
To proceed to Diamond classification, the Waterfront had to demonstrate a continued socially responsible commitment towards environmental practices and community involvement. A further condition was that the Waterfront consistently attains Platinum status for a minimum period of five years, as it had done.
V&A Waterfront CEO David Green comments: “As a world-class tourism destination The V&A has a duty to raise the bar on environmental sustainability. Our Diamond Heritage classification is thanks to the enormous effort made by our sustainability and CSI committees, by Waterfront management and staff, and also many of our tenants who have all joined hands to make a positive difference.”
“The Waterfront has a great commitment and approach towards sustainability and has integrated sustainability into their business strategy. The Heritage Management company believes that the efforts made by the Waterfront, especially in the CSI and place making fields, represents an industry benchmark and should be recognised as such” says Neal Dickinson, the Heritage Company of South Africa’s Operational Director.
For its September 2019 annual Heritage Environmental Sustainability audit the V&A Waterfront achieved an overall score of 96%. The audit assessed the following categories:
For its September 2019 annual Heritage Environmental Sustainability audit, the V&A Waterfront achieved an overall score of 96%. The audit assessed the following categories:
- Purchasing and procurement
- Internal Environmental Sustainability Systems and procedures
- Design and Construction
- Transport Management
- Biodiversity Management
- Marketing and public relations
- Training, awareness and competency
- Resource Management
- GHG Emissions Management
- Chemical, pesticides and Hazardous materials management plan
- Business practice and wider social responsibility
- Climate change adaptation and mitigation
