Crystal International Group Limited (“Crystal International”) has published its twelfth Sustainability Report with the theme of “Innovate in the New Normal, Care through Action” to reflect the innovative changes and care initiatives made in 2020. The Report complies with the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) disclosure requirements of HKEx as well as with reference to the GRI Standards. It covers Crystal International’s sustainability vision, strategies, key initiatives, achievements, and performance in 2020.
Key Highlights of the Report
Awards and Recognition:
- Best ESG Report and Excellence in Environmental Positive Impact Commendation award
- SDG2000: the most influential 2,000 companies for a sustainable future
- Green building – Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE)
Progress in 2020 of Third Global 5-Year Sustainability Targets (2018 – 2022):
- Reduced 53% fresh water intensity vs 2017 base year (target achieved)
- Reduced 12% carbon intensity vs 2017 base year (target achieved)
- 2.88 million trees planted since 2007
- Empowered over 44,000 women through CARE programme (target achieved)
- ~ 24,000 volunteering hours (exceeded target since 2019)
Combating COVID-19 and Embracing the New Normal
Environment
- Signed the UN Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action and committed to 30% aggregate GHG reduction by 2030
- Developed our long-term decarbonisation strategy
- Expanded rooftop solar PV in two Vietnam factories to reduce over 4,000 tonnes of CO2e annually
- Recycled ~2,832,308 m3 of water, equivalent of drinking water needed for ~3,800,000 people per year
- Advanced sustainable and circular product development
- 4Zero sustainable denim collection, reducing water & chemical usage by 90% and 70% respectively
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Jeans Redesign project
- Denim Reimagined denim series
- Achieved outstanding verified Higg FEM score of 92% and 91% in a China factory and a Vietnam factory respectively
Innovation
- Scaled up digitalisation with 3D virtual sampling in product development and digital showroom
- Adopted virtual CSR and quality audits
- Adopted electronic tape to save ~40-55% of time to measure products and record results
- Applied virtual robot and technology for data recognition and analysis
Social
- Crystal face cover: Distributed >300,000 Crystal face covers to all employees, engaged them with launching a company-wide campaign “We Care. We Mask Up Together”
- Support for communities: Distributed Crystal face cover, masks and anti-epidemic supplies
- >250,000 Crystal face covers were donated to communities
- ~4,400,000 masks were distributed to employees and communities
- Online trainings: trained >1,400 employees online, such as Harvard ManageMentor training and P.A.C.E
- Diversity and inclusion (D&I): pilot project with customers, Gender Equality and Returns training by ILO and IFC, and joined BFC to promote gender equality
- Disaster relief: Donated over one billion VND with food and necessities to support people affected by flooding in Vietnam
Sustainability is embedded in Crystal International’s culture even under the new normal. Crystal International will continue to rebound sustainably. The Sustainability Report 2020 is now available for download at the Sustainability Report section of the Group’s corporate website.
