Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC (TTE PLC) has long been a leader in sustainability within the tea industry. The recent Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award affirms their pioneering status. This recognition reflects TTE PLC’s comprehensive strategy of environmental stewardship, social responsibility and economic viability. In their sustainability efforts, TTE PLC continues to set ambitious new benchmarks for the industry. The company views this award as further motivation to keep pursuing ever-higher standards of sustainability.

Environment Stewardship
Sustainability is an integral part of their business strategy and decision making, with environmental considerations incorporated throughout operations - from product design to manufacturing, supply chain management and corporate policy. This alignment of sustainability with overall goals ensures it is deeply embedded across all levels of the organization.
Recognizing the critical importance of preserving biodiversity, TTE PLC has spearheaded reforestation efforts such as “KIRULU Project” and tree-planting programs like “St. Clair Reforestation Project” to safeguard ecosystems and promote biodiversity conservation. 
As part of their ongoing commitment to sustainability, TTE PLC remains dedicated to transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar, hydropower and biomass. This shift will continue to be a top priority, allowing them to shrink their carbon footprint and support global efforts to combat climate change through clean energy adoption. 
To conserve water resources and minimize environmental impact, TTE PLC track water usage and put in place strategies that reduce consumption, especially for sustainable water management.
Tracking waste generation, recycling and reuse rates and overall waste reduction efforts demonstrates a commitment to minimizing environmental impact and promoting circular economy principles.
Measuring the decrease of greenhouse gas emissions in tons of carbon dioxide equivalent demonstrates how successful sustainability initiatives are at fighting climate change.

Employee Relations and Social responsibility
The Company prioritizes employee well-being, satisfaction and engagement by investing in programs and initiatives that promote work-life balance, competitive wages and benefits, training and development opportunities, an inclusive and diverse workplace culture and employee involvement in decision-making.
Beyond environmental factors, assessing community engagement, employee well-being, diversity and inclusion and social equity helps gauge the social sustainability impact of initiatives.
Surveys, feedback mechanisms and stakeholder consultations gauge satisfaction and engagement levels among employees, customers, investors and other stakeholders. This ensures alignment with stakeholder interests.

Governance
TTE PLC demonstrates robust corporate governance through transparent and ethical practices that uphold accountability, legal compliance and equitable treatment of stakeholders. The company maintains integrity and high business ethics standards, with effective internal controls and risk management processes in place.
To assess the financial effect of their sustainability efforts, they track cost savings from energy efficiency upgrades, revenue produced by sustainable products and return on investment for sustainability initiatives.
The company’s approach to addressing environmental, social and economic challenges centres on proactively planning for and adopting resilient practices. They assess and mitigate risks posed by climate change, natural disasters, supply chain disruptions and other threats that could disrupt business operations.

Being a Sustainable Citizen
By prioritizing economic prosperity, social well-being, environmental quality and continual enhancement, the company has endeavoured to improve the quality of life for both individuals and communities. They place a premium on initiatives that uplift local communities and safeguard the environment. From investing in childcare projects, supporting education and healthcare initiatives, the company’s social endeavours are aimed at fostering holistic development and creating a positive impact. 
TTE PLC champions environmental stewardship through sustainable land management, water conservation and biodiversity preservation Initiatives like reforestation, regenerative agriculture and wildlife habitat conservation demonstrate the company’s commitment to minimizing environmental impact and promoting ecosystem health. The company prioritizes social responsibility by advocating fair labour practices, ensuring worker well-being and building positive community relationships. TTE PLC provides fair wages, safe working conditions, access to education and healthcare and supports local development projects to enhance quality of life for employees and communities. The company regularly evaluates and adapts its practices to address emerging challenges, integrate new technologies and meet evolving sustainability standards and consumer preferences. 
The company rigorously assesses its sustainability initiatives by tracking a robust set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). These KPIs encompass various aspects of sustainability and are meticulously monitored to ensure transparency and accountability.
wildlife population growth trends demonstrate the progress made toward biodiversity conservation goals. As the first to receive Ecosystem Restoration Certification in Asia, they have demonstrated their dedication to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health, directly aligning with their environmental policy’s ethos.
Monitoring compliance with environmental regulations and obtaining third-party sustainability certifications like Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture indicate that the company is adhering to sustainability standards and making progress toward its sustainability goals.
Regular reviews of progress on long-term sustainability goals and targets outlined in the sustainability plan allow organizations to adapt strategies as needed to stay on track. Comprehensive Key Performance Indicators enable a holistic evaluation of sustainability efforts, guiding the company toward meeting its long-term sustainability objectives.
As Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC continues to pioneer sustainability initiatives, the company renews its dedication to making a positive difference, enacting meaningful change and cultivating a more sustainable future for generations ahead.