Blue-chip conglomerate in Sri Lanka engages staff and consumers to go beyond the hour
The Hayleys Group declared its support of the global Earth Hour initiative by turning off all non-essential lighting at its Group Companies, and committing to take purposeful steps to manage energy and waste through a long-term campaign.
“As a responsible corporate committed to sustainable practices, the Hayleys Group continues to integrate energy conservation into daily operations,” remarked Chairman and Chief Executive Mohan Pandithage. “For the Hayleys Group, strength is diversity, and in our innate ability to engage diverse groups of stakeholders. While turning off all our lights was a powerful symbolic gesture, we believe our Sector Companies should sustain the development of innovative solutions to reduce our impact on the environment, as well as actively monitor and manage energy and waste. We are taking purposeful steps towards this objective.”
Prior to Earth Hour, Hayleys communicated a promotional offering of discounts on Philips light emitting diodes (LED) at select stores for a period of one week.
On Friday the 22nd, between 12 to 1 o’clock in the afternoon, Hayleys and its Group Companies turned off all non-essential lighting, and selected air conditioning equipment, involving staff at every level to ensure the commitment was met. On Saturday the 23rd, at 8.30pm – the traditional Earth Hour period – Hayleys employees and their family members lit a giant representational ‘60+’ made entirely of clay pahan candles prior to the company’s annual Pirith Ceremony.
The Hotels division celebrated its commitment during Earth Hour with a special lineup of initiatives that engaged guests including candle-lit dining at key restaurants. The Kingsbury Hotel, the flagship city hotel of the Hayleys Group and the Amaya chain of Hotels and Resorts drove several energy management initiatives forward including limiting air-conditioner usage, halting laundry services, switching off decorative lighting and restricting chandeliers and wall lights to LED only.
The Hayleys Group has invested in adopting innovative sustainable practices across the global company. The company trains and utilises Sustainability Champions from each sector of enterprise to drive sustainability management and performance.
“We develop best practices that make sense for both our financial and environmental performance,” Pandithage said. “Our brands and business units are selecting more energy-efficient options. Over the years our manufacturing companies invested in alternate forms of energy such as biomass boilers and as a result we have seen a reduction in energy costs. Group companies also continue to balance energy conservation without sacrificing their quality of output, such as embracing lean management techniques, measuring and monitoring carbon emissions, and integrating the use of LED bulbs, which require a fraction of the energy needed for traditional lighting.”
Established in 1878, the Hayleys Group employs more than 30,000 people, and accounts for 2.51 per cent of Sri Lanka’s export income.
Earth Hour has grown into a global movement with millions of supporters in over 128 countries since its start in 2007. During Earth Hour, individuals, businesses, and governments around the world turn out their lights to demonstrate their commitment to environmentally sustainable action.
