Wilderness Holdings' report secures top spot in SA tourism sector

With an A+ rating, the report also ranked second in the country (third in 2012) in terms of its GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) compliance, its degree of compliance exceeded only by Anglo American.

"This recognition of our efforts is incredibly rewarding and we are proud to be sharing a platform with various notable organisations. Although second behind Anglo in the GRI compliance rating, we were ranked ahead of Gold Fields, Sappi, Sasol and Standard Bank. We were also the only non-mining or resources company to be listed in the Top 10 and the best in the tourism sector. Being included amongst South Africa's best is testament to the fact that our report demonstrates the degree to which sustainability is inextricably woven into the daily fabric and philosophy of our business", said Derek de la Harpe, Wilderness Holdings' chief sustainability officer.

Overall transparency of the reports analysed

The research was conducted by IRAS (Integrated Research and Assurance Services), who reviewed all of the JSE-listed companies' annual reports for the fifth consecutive year. In addition to considering the GRI Compliance Score, the SDTI analysed the overall transparency of the reports according to the following indicators: labour; economic; CSI/SED spend; environmental; health and safety; and governance. This index has been extremely well received as a vast improvement on merely looking at GRI compliance and rather at a company's holistic transparency in its successes and failures.

By successfully integrating its financial and 4Cs sustainability framework into one coherent report, Wilderness Holdings has demonstrated that each aspect of its business - commerce, conservation, community and culture - is as important as the other. The company has to do well in order to effect change - but it has also demonstrated that, by making a difference, it can also create value for its shareholders.