Crystal International Group Limited(Hong Kong) published the fifteenth Sustainability Report that summarises the positive impacts on people, environment and communities in 2023. The Report illustrates how the Group leads sustainability advancement by transitioning to the next milestone – Crystal Sustainability Vision 2030 (CSV2030) and driving towards Crystal Net Zero 2050, while accelerating all-round innovation in smart manufacturing.
The Report covers Crystal International’s sustainability vision, strategies, key initiatives, achievements, and performance in 2023. It is in compliance with the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) disclosure requirements of Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) as well as with reference to the GRI Standards.
Key Highlights of the Report
Crystal Sustainability Vision 2030 – Impact for Better
- 8 impact areas across environmental, social and community
- Referenced the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Highlights towards CSV2030 in 2023
- Reduced 4.7% absolute carbon vs 2022
- Reduced 23% freshwater per garment vs 2022
- 100,000 trees planted in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in 2023
- Empowered 59,000 women through CARE programme since 2014
- 6,500 volunteering hours in 2023
For more CSV2030 details, please access HERE
Preserving Our Planet – Environmental:
- Expanded Group’s solar PV with total capacity at 12 MW, saving >8,200 tCO2e per year
- Identified 180 energy efficiency measures to be completed by 2028
- Continued carbon neutrality at headquarters
- Verified Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon inventory against ISO14064-1:2018 standard
- Conducted group-wide waste management analysis to prepare for circular transition
- Recycled or recovered to energy nearly 70% of waste generated
- Achieved outstanding verified Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM) score, with five factories scoring over 90
- Applied greener chemistries, 90% Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Manufacturing Restricted Substance List (MRSL) conformance of chemical formulations in lifestyle wear factories in China and Bangladesh
- Increased use of recycled water through expanding onsite wastewater treatment plant and utilisation of treated wastewater
Innovative Manufacturing
- Developed smart manufacturing models – FLAP for garment factories and FLOCK for mills
- Inaugurated Modernisation Centre in Vietnam, innovation hub of automated machine development and manufacturing
- Began using DNA testing and blockchain-enabled platforms for material traceability
Pioneering Social Sustainability – Social:
- Provided 6,765,472 hours of training, covering all job levels, e.g.
- Established regional Shared Services Centres (SSCs) to launch manager and talent development programmes
- Organised Knits Executive Development Workshop in partnership with Ivey Business School
- Recognised as Better Work High Performance Factory: three factories in Vietnam
- Achieved ISO45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System standard certification in seven factories
- Improved gender equality through women empowerment
- Provided women leadership training through IFC partnership
- Promoted elimination of violence against women
- Caring for our employees
- Distributed home appliances funded by Fairtrade Premium to over 4,000 workers in denim factory in Vietnam
- Launched employee wellness programmes in all operating countries
- Caring for our communities
- Contributed USD580,000 and 6,500 person-hours via community activities, health and medical care, education and environmental stewardship
- Contributed in-kind donations, e.g. beds and bed linens to boardings schools in Vietnam, and a water purification system to a school in Cambodia
Awards and Recognition:
Received nearly 70 global and local awards in 2023, including
- A-list in CDP Climate Change
- Hong Kong Management Association (HKMA) Hong Kong Sustainability Award 2023 – Distinction Award (Large Organisation Category)
- Hong Kong ESG Reporting Awards (HERA) 2023 Excellence in Social Positive Impact – Grand Award; Commendation for the Best ESG Report – Mid-cap; Commendation for the Carbon Neutral Award; Commendation for Excellence in Environmental Positive Impact
- HKMA 2023 Best Annual Reports Awards – Certificate of Excellence in ESG Reporting
- HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2023; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Awards 2023
The Sustainability Report 2023 is now available for download at the Sustainability Report section of the Group’s corporate website.
