Philip Morris Pakistan leads the charge on sustainability

 

In a rapidly changing landscape where businesses are increasingly held accountable for their environmental and social impact, Philip Morris (Pakistan) Limited (PMPKL), an affiliate of Philip Morris International (PMI), is setting a benchmark for sustainability in the tobacco industry.

During a recent discussion, Andleeb Uroos Ahmed, Head of Communications at PMPKL, elaborated on the company’s comprehensive sustainability initiatives, revealing a deep commitment to driving positive change across all facets of their operations.

Uroos began, setting the tone for the conversation.

PMI is a leading international tobacco company. At PMI, sustainability is an integral part of our corporate and business strategies. It is not only a compliance requirement but also a fundamental driver of innovation and long-term growth,” Uroos began, setting the tone for the conversation.

By embedding sustainability into all aspects of our operations, we create value not only for our shareholders but also for society at large, ensuring our activities have a positive impact on the environment and the communities we serve.

Uroos explained that this commitment is meticulously tracked through PMI’s specialised Sustainability Index, which encompasses 19 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) covering crucial aspects of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. She emphasised:

“This index allows us to accurately measure our progress in areas such as reducing carbon emissions and enhancing community engagement. It’s about making informed decisions to continuously improve our sustainability efforts.

When discussing PMPKL’s initiatives on contracted farms, Uroos was particularly passionate about the company’s zero-tolerance policy towards child labor. She explained:

“At PMPKL, we are deeply committed to eradicating child labor and empowering young people through comprehensive initiatives. Under our Agricultural Labor Practices (ALP) code, we ensure that no child is involved in the leaf production process. We provide our farmers with machinery and specialised mechanisms to guarantee this.

She further elaborated:

Moreover, our Skills Training Program equips adolescents with essential skills like cloth weaving and electrician work, fostering economic empowerment and ensuring a brighter future for them.

The conversation then shifted to PMPKL’s mechanisation efforts, which Uroos described as pivotal in supporting farmers. Uroos stated:

Our Laser Land Leveler Project is a prime example of how advanced technology can optimise water usage, enhance irrigation efficiency, and reduce waste. This project aims to save 25 million cubic meters of water by 2033, providing farmers with cost savings and increased income while supporting soil conservation and boosting crop yields.

On the topic of responsible sourcing and waste management, Uroos proudly noted:

We have achieved 100% sustainability in fuelwood sourcing. Our focus on reducing waste generation, recycling, and promoting responsible disposal practices is critical. For instance, we partnered with Pak Mission Society in 2022 to set up a recycling facility in Islamabad, called the “Haryalihub and Khushali hub. Around 1,000 community members were mobilised through this initiative, with help from social media and local campaigns like "TRASH into CASH.

These efforts raised awareness about proper waste disposal practices and encouraged communities to adopt sustainable lifestyle changes.

She added:

PMPKL has facilitated end-of-life take-back programs for their smoke-free products, offering consumers convenient methods to return used items for proper waste management. This initiative not only promotes recycling but also ensures that waste is handled in an environmentally responsible manner.

 

Uroos also highlighted PMPKL’s efforts to promote women’s empowerment and financial inclusion through initiatives like the "Make Your Come Back" (MYCB) program.

This program offers women who have taken a career break a platform to return to the workforce, engaging in meaningful projects that match their aspirations and experiences.

Through this program, we help them refine and build skillsets to enhance future employability. PMPKL also partners with NGOs to create job opportunities for women and support professional reintegration and empowerment.

Furthermore, we are deeply committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment. The company established the “Women Inspiration Network (WIN),” an Employee Resource Group designed to support, empower, and inspire women within PMI to reach their full potential.

In 2023, the People & Culture team, alongside WIN Champions, collaborated with Indian counterparts to build an intercultural and intergenerational community of women who support and encourage each other.

PMPKL's dedication to fairness and inclusivity is also reflected in its Equal Salary Certification, awarded by the Equal Salary Foundation after a thorough audit by independent third-party auditors, PwC. "This certification underscores our uncompromised commitment to ensuring equal pay for women and men,” Uroos noted.

In terms of sustainable water management, she shared some impressive achievements by informing:

PMI aims to certify all its priority factories to the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) standard, with the goal of optimising water usage and saving at least 25 million cubic meters of water by 2033.

As part of PMI’s strategy, PMPKL, at its Sahiwal manufacturing site, has reduced water consumption by 45% per million sticks produced since 2018. We now operate with zero effluent discharge, using treated water for various activities.

We have also installed toilets and washrooms in local community schools, promoted hygiene by setting up wash stations, and repaired drainage systems. These are part of our broader commitment to sustainable water management and community well-being.

PMPKL has also been working to raise awareness on farm safety, health, hygiene, clean drinking water, and sanitation. Through a third-party service provider, Social Women Mobilizers, we conducted awareness sessions across all PMPKL contracted farms in 2023.

 

As the discussion moved to carbon emissions and energy efficiency, Uroos reaffirmed PMPKL’s dedication to contributing to PMI’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. She explained:

Staying true to this commitment, we have undertaken important projects to improve energy efficiency and green energy usage across all operations. In 2023, PMPKL's Sahiwal factory generated 15% of its annual energy demand from renewable sources.

To further reduce CO2 emissions and firewood consumption in tobacco curing, we introduced barn and furnace improvements, including installing metallic furnaces. These efforts resulted in an 11.54% fuel saving compared to traditional furnaces, contributing to our overall goal of achieving carbon neutrality.

 

Reflecting on PMPKL’s response to the devastating floods in Pakistan in 2022, Uroos detailed the company’s extensive disaster relief programs.

In the first tranche of our efforts, we distributed nutritional packs, tents, mosquito nets, and repellents to families in Badin, Sanghar, and Larkana, reaching a total of 350 families and more than 2,000 people.

In the second phase, we provided dry food items to 22,000 families, benefiting more than 130,000 people. These efforts underscore our commitment to community welfare during times of crisis.

Finally, Uroos touched on PMPKL’s initiatives to encourage employees to adopt sustainable practices in their personal lives. She shared:

We launched the ‘I Pledge’ movement, where employees are motivated to switch to sustainable choices. We’ve distributed cloth tote bags to reduce plastic use, replaced plastic spoons with wooden ones, and provided glass bottles to minimize non-recyclable paper cup usage.

At our Head Office, we have replaced all artificial plants with natural, environment-friendly indoor plants. This change not only enhances the office’s aesthetics but also contributes to a healthier environment by improving air quality, reducing stress, and boosting productivity.

A further statement was made by Uroos.

The addition of natural plants adds tranquility and beauty to our workspace, reflecting our commitment to sustainability in all aspects of our operations.

We’ve also begun installing sensor taps at our offices to manage water usage and transitioned to using recyclable papers for wrapping employee gifts instead of plastic films, minimising our environmental footprint.

She concluded by giving her final thoughts.

To conserve energy, PMPKL maximises the utilisation of daylight by switching off unnecessary bulbs and replacing them with energy-efficient LED lights. Moreover, we have established a cross-functional sustainability committee dedicated to promoting our sustainability agenda throughout the organisation.

 

Sara Danial is a writer based in Karachi. As a communications professional, she shares her love for all things sacred to the English language.