BAT Bangladesh has acquired Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) core certification for its environment-friendly facilities in Dhaka and Kushtia that has made it the first Bangladeshi company to secure this recognition.
Through adoption of the AWS standard, BAT Bangladesh says, it has created a positive impact on diverse local stakeholders in the value chain.
Both the BAT sites – Dhaka Factory and Green Leaf Threshing Plant, Kushtia, – will be undergoing a surveillance audit this month (December 2022) to maintain the core certification and then achieve the gold certification. The company secured the core certification in early 2022.
It has worked hand in hand with all its stakeholders in an open and transparent manner by raising awareness and sharing the best practices to foster good water governance, identify shared water challenges, set mitigation plans and sustain water availability in its catchments.
Water stewardship is the use of water that is socially and culturally equitable, environmentally sustainable and economically beneficial; achieved through a stakeholder-inclusive process that includes both site and catchment-based actions, according to a statement.
BAT Bangladesh has set ambitious Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals of decreasing water withdrawal by 35 per cent and increasing water recycling to 30 per cent by 2025.
Accordingly, the company has deployed various initiatives and optimised its processes through collaboration of its engineering and sustainability teams.
A robust water management system has been in practice for both the sites and adherence to these processes is tracked on a regular basis.
The company has developed, defined and established processes for violation of any of these practices as well. Currently, both the sites are working their way towards zero liquid discharge plants.
BAT Bangladesh is committed to creating a net of cooperation and assistance with public and private organisations to address the shared water challenges.
It believes in constantly upgrading itself, growing together, and creating a better tomorrow shaped by the sustainable actions of today.