Our sustainability reports

Reporting on sustainability gives full transparency and insight into our contribution towards the global sustainability agenda.

View our Sustainability Report 2024 and learn about how we conduct our materiality assessments to identify the issues that matter most to our stakeholders and to Babcock.

• ESG and our shareholders
• Download our GRI and SASB report
• View our ESG disclosure and external ratings in our Sustainable Business Report, pg 65
• View our ​ESG policies and statements

Middleburg's Path to Sustainable Power

Middleburg's new 150kW solar system marks a significant stride towards sustainable energy independence.

Supported by batteries and backup generators, it ensures uninterrupted power supply regardless of grid status. Meeting 100% of daytime energy needs, it reduces reliance on fossil fuel generators during outages, cutting fuel consumption and boosting environmental responsibility. Its adaptive design aligns power generation with site-specific usage patterns, enhancing efficiency and minimizing waste.

This shift to renewable energy promises a cleaner environment for Middleburg, benefiting both operations and local community by reducing our carbon footprint. 

Tree planting programme

Our tree-planting project seeks to reduce Babcock’s CO2 emissions from its trucks, cranes and other light-duty vehicles.

Using a CO2 reduction calculator, Babcock determined the number of trees we needed to plant to reduce CO2 emissions. We partnered with a non-governmental wildlife and environmental organisation to identify areas in need of greening, like rural schools, nature reserves, charities, and churches.

Several trees were donated to the Thaba Nature Reserve and protected Camel Thorn tree seedlings were planted at Marloth Park Bird Sanctuary and Thaba Trails. Additionally, hundreds of baby seedlings have been donated to Thaba Nature Reserve.

Waste Management and Recycling

The Babcock Waste Management Specification (WMS) seeks to provide strategic guidelines within all levels, and across all African operations to effectively action minimal waste generation, waste recovery, recycling, and waste disposal, as well as systematically improving waste management.

We are proud to say that re-use and recycling rates of waste products are increasing across our organisation, and there has been a significant reduction of recyclable material to landfill, along with considerable cost savings.

Babcock lifts hope

Babcock sponsored the lift and placement of a container at Durbanville Children’s Home to serve as a new and improved bookshop! This expanded space will open fresh opportunities to raise crucial funds that directly support the children’s growth and well-being.

We’re proud to play a part in creating brighter futures, one step at a time. This bookshop will not only inspire a love for reading but also provide vital resources for the kids at Durbanville Children’s Home. If you're in the area, drop by and show your support!

Power Station Community Initiatives

At Babcock, we are dedicated to improving local communities around the power stations we support. In collaboration with Eskom, we evaluate and select community initiatives annually.

Our efforts include renovating Bokantsho Primary School in Vaal Township, donating office furniture, providing hampers to the All-in-One Disabled Association in Tshepiso Phase One, and offering clothing for elderly women at the Joyous Multipurpose Centre near Matla.

We also make ongoing donations to organisations like Vaal Echoes of Love in Sharpeville, which aids underprivileged and disabled individuals.

Bokantsho Primary School Refurbishment

Babcock demonstrated its commitment to the community by renovating Bokantsho Primary School in Viljoensdrift, Free State.

Serving Grade R to 7 learners from nearby townships, the school received extensive upgrades, including refurbishments to classrooms, the kitchen, hall, and administration building. The renovations featured painting, ceiling repairs, new doors, windows, roofing, flooring, and upgraded electrical and plumbing systems.

Principal T.A. Lengana expressed gratitude for Babcock’s support, emphasizing its dedication to community upliftment and educational improvement.

Scholarships from Primary to Tertiary Education

Babcock offers scholarships focused on STEM education. The Student Sponsorship Programme (SSP) and St Dunstan College Programme aid disadvantaged children from primary to tertiary levels.

Babcock also provides a scholarship for employees’ children, covering tuition and related costs.

Additionally, Babcock supports the Eskom Science Expo, funding student bursaries and engaging in project judging to promote STEM education at South African tertiary institutions.

Teacher Development Programme

Partnering with the Thandulwazi Trust, Babcock supports teacher development through the Thandulwazi Intern-Teacher Training Program and the Thandulwazi School Leadership Program. These initiatives address STEM education shortages and enhance school leadership in township areas.

Supplier Development (SD)

Managed by Raizcorp, our Supplier Development Programme offers mentorship and business management skills to SMEs, helping them grow and integrate into Babcock’s procurement processes.

A trusted partner

We pride ourselves in conducting business honestly, transparently and with integrity.

To support good governance and ethical behaviour across the business, our actions and those of our people are guided by a series of policies which are constantly reviewed to ensure they continue to meet current best practice principles and legislative requirements.

• Read our Code of Business Conduct
• See our ESG Policies and Statements
• Read our Modern Slavery Transparency statements
• Read more about our commitments in the Annual Sustainability Report.

Supplier Engagement

We actively engage with smaller and local suppliers, especially those that help inclusion and under-represented groups. Our SME supplier base is continuously monitored for any risk factors, including cyber security threats, human rights and financial health alerts.

As the South African division of a UK-based company, we are committed to upholding all international treaties, including the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. Within the UK, we expect our suppliers and extended supply base to comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2015, a standard we adhere to as well. Babcock International also require all overseas suppliers to understand and align with the intent of this Act.