Sustainability Framework

Brambles works with customers and suppliers to deliver mutually beneficial, sustainable solutions.

Brambles first shared value is all things begin with the customer. Our businesses engage customers through industry initiatives and strategic forums and hear the Voice of the Customer through leadership meetings, face-to-face interviews, global market insights, sharing of best practice, the Net Promoter (NPS) program and customer care centres.

We use our logistics knowledge to minimise the footprint of our customers and supply chain through network optimisation, when our team sources transport nearer to customers, reducing transport distances and associated emissions.

CHEP also works collaboratively with customers to eliminate unnecessary empty return various truck trips, so that customers benefit from sharing transportation and fill empty space on trucks.

CHEP also uses multimodal (train, sea and road) solutions to move pallets throughout the network.

Brambles’ businesses are also well placed to address the environmentally important issue of food loss and waste in the supply chain.

Integrity is crucial in our ability to successfully execute strategy and meet objectives.

Good governance is fundamental to the delivery of all of our sustainability strategies and targets. Brambles undertakes a process that includes the identification of material risks, including economic, environmental and social risks related to sustainability. 

As a publicly-listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange and with operations in more than 50 countries, we are subject to an extensive range of legal, regulatory and governance requirements. 

Our Board is conscious that best practice is continuously evolving and will continue to anticipate and respond to further corporate developments. 

All our businesses are subject to Brambles’ Code of Conduct and training in the Code is provided to all employees annually. 

Brambles Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy comprehensively explains what is expected of Brambles employees and provides clear guidance on what kinds of payments, gifts or hospitality are prohibited (or, in some circumstances, where pre-approval is required).  

A Bribery Prevention Group has been established comprising the Company Secretary, the Group General Counsel, Regional General Counsel, and the Chief Compliance Officer.

Brambles expects suppliers’ practices to be in line with our principles and we are committed to driving efficiency and environmental sustainability in the supply chains we serve.

Following the addition of the supplier policy in August 2013, we have engaged strategic suppliers to consider its practical application.

Brambles 2015 Corporate Governance Statement outlines the key components of Brambles’ governance framework in place during the year ended 30 June 2015 (Year), by reference to the Australian Securities Exchange Corporate Governance Council Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations, Third Edition (CGPR). During the Year, the Board believes Brambles met or exceeded all the requirements of the CGPR, and details of our compliance with the CGPR is set out in the document.

Our Sustainability Governance document outlines our strategy, governance, stakeholder engagement and identification of material sustainability issues.

Brambles believes an engaging, safe, tolerant and diverse work environment brings out the best in our people and helps them reach their potential.

Engagement and Enablement
Employee engagement and enablement is tracked through the annual confidential Brambles Employee Survey (BES). Brambles uses the survey to seek feedback from employees, track progress against previous responses and identify key actions for improvement.

Brambles’ enablement score is a measure of how supportive the organisational environment is for employees to perform their best. 

Safety 
Brambles' Zero Harm Charter states that everyone has the right to be safe at work and to return home to their family and friends as healthy as when they started the day. Each and every person is expected to work safely. Brambles seeks to apply best occupational health, safety and environment practice for employees, contractors, customers and local communities.

The key risks for injury in our businesses include driving and the segregation of pedestrians from vehicles and equipment. The major types of injury include strains, nail punctures, lacerations and slips. These issues are addressed by safety initiatives.

Brambles’ businesses also work closely on safety with our extensive network of outsourced service centres. 

Learning and Development
One of our areas of focus is the learning and development opportunities available to our people.

Brambles talent development strategy focuses on the Group’s continuous improvement in three areas:

1. Organisational capability through strategic workforce planning that looks forward over a five-year period.
2. Organisational culture that fosters talent through development programs for all levels of the business.
3. Organisational effectiveness, through platforms and programs like the global Workday system and easily accessible learning for all employees. 

Brambles operates a competency framework which allows employees to understand their required skills and competencies and those needed for career progression. This framework is at the core of our recruitment efforts and performance appraisal systems. Every employee has an annual appraisal with their manager.

Inclusion and Diversity
Brambles is committed to selecting, recruiting, developing and supporting people solely on the basis of their professional capability and qualifications, irrespective of gender and other diversity factors. 

Brambles selects, retains and develops the best people for the job on the basis of merit and job related competencies. 

Brambles established an Inclusion and Diversity Council in 2013, which is responsible for developing the vision, strategy and action plans for encouraging and nurturing an inclusive culture across the Group.