3 minute read
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Interview with: Gabriela AGUILAR Chair of the Sustainable Development Committee
www.bpcc.org.pe
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What can you tell us about yourself, about the Chamber and about your team?
I am the Social Responsibility Manager for the British Peruvian Cultural Association and have the fortune to lead the Sustainable Development Committee of the British Peruvian Chamber of Commerce.
It is a committee formed by companies members of the Chamber from different sectors that have in common an interest in making their companies more sustainable and create shared value.
Through different activities the committee seeks to educate and exhibit Sustainable Development’s issues, practices and benefits in Peru and the UK.
These activities are developed jointly with the Chamber team lead by Nancy Velarde, General Manager.
What do you think about developing an ESG strategy for the Chamber? How could such a strategy transform the way of doing business?
Developing an ESG strategy has become vital for organisations.
Currently is not enough to measure companies performance only with economic indicators, looking into social and environmental performance is also important and beneficial for companies.
And that is what we want to promote among Chamber members.
Companies with an ESG strategy show a better control over risk management and better links as the strategy is based on stakeholders needs and expectations.
What actions does the Chamber currently take to be more sustainable, and what are planning new actions on the future?
The committee focuses on two main subjects: Huma Rights and emissions reduction. Around these two issues we develop different activities to raise awareness.
But apart from giving information and promoting good practices, we strongly encourage Chamber members to take action.
In this concern we have partnered with the British Embassy, the Ministry of Environment, Confiep and other organisations to bring spaces where the members can take action and the result was the 50% of members measuring their carbon footprint as a first step to reduce emissions and more than 200 staff from Chamber members trained on the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.
This year we will continue developing both issues and will increase our indicators to reach 100% of members measuring their carbon footprint and more staff trained on Human Rights.
In what way does the British Peruvian Chamber of Commerce membership help you undertake new actions in this matter?
The British Chamber is a space to connect, on my opinion that is the most important benefit of the Chamber membership.
Through the committee I have had the opportunity to meet different organisations from the public and private sector that have supported me to develop sustainalibity initiatives in my company.
It is also a good environment to exchange with British delegates, businesses and the British culture in general.