SASOL Integrated Report 2025_Final_28 August 2025 - Flipbook - Page 89
INTRODUCTION
ABOUT SASOL
STRATEGIC OVERVIEW
BUSINESSES
ESG
REMUNERATION REPORT
DATA AND ASSURANCE / ADMINISTRATION
ENVIRONMENT continued
LAND AND BIODIVERSITY
Our commitment
Our group approach
We are committed to using resources responsibly and preventing
pollution. We also recognise our duty of care in managing land
and biodiversity, with particular attention to the areas in which
we operate, including our local communities.
We address land risk and associated contamination liabilities by managing the Group’s top risk of major Safety,
Health and Environment incidents. Sasol adopts a site-specific approach to assessing biodiversity risks, with
an emphasis on our Southern African operations, where our activities intersect with regions of high ecological
significance. Through continuous monitoring of the environment, including ecological, groundwater, soil,
noise and air monitoring, we systemically identify and mitigate risks and drive accountability. Recognising the
interconnectedness of biodiversity loss and climate change, we are continuing to deepen our understanding of
our biodiversity footprint.
PROGRAMMES AND INITIATIVES
Biodiversity
Since 2022, Sasol and the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) have
collaborated to incorporate biodiversity into our business practices.
In 2022, the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP 15)
consisting of 196 countries, including South Africa and our Eurasia
operations, endorsed the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity
Framework. The framework establishes a renewed global
commitment to halt biodiversity loss, restore ecosystems, and
protect the rights of indigenous peoples.
In alignment with these international goals and best practices,
the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) was
established to guide organisations in identifying, assessing and
disclosing nature-related risks and opportunities. To support
alignment with TNFD recommendations, EWT conducted a
comprehensive gap assessment in 2024. The results of this
assessment offer strategic direction on the key steps Sasol should
consider focusing to strengthen our biodiversity-related governance
data, and decision-making processes.
As part of this process, Sasol and EWT also collaborated to develop
awareness and capacity-building modules aimed at enhancing
biodiversity understanding and integration across the organisation.
We participated in the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the
Environment’s (DFFE) survey on biodiversity company disclosure,
contributing to efforts to inform the setting of national biodiversity
targets. We are committed to playing an active role in advancing
biodiversity stewardship and supporting national-level action for nature.
www
For more details, refer to our website www.sasol.com/esg
At Secunda Operations (SO) we are focused on research, monitoring
and managing the natural biodiversity assets found in our semi-natural
secondary area, including water bodies and wetlands. The results of
these activities are presented in our internal “Status of Biodiversity”
report, which highlights a range of ecological trends – most of which
indicate a stable condition. Our most recent biodiversity survey
recorded five new dragonfly species, a previously undocumented
reptile, and a red-listed bird species – highlighting the value of our
conservation actions.
SO is also excited to announce the birth of four rhino calves during
the last season, emphasising our commitment to conservation and
biodiversity management.
Our specialist biodiversity team, which includes experienced ecologists,
plays an active role in supporting conservation work at the Verloren
Vallei wetland site. By sharing internal expertise and resources with
the South African National Biodiversity Institute and Mpumalanga
Tourism and Parks Agency, we are helping to advance ecological
studies and monitoring efforts beyond our operational footprint.
At Sasolburg and Natref Operations, a veld management plan was
developed based on data collected during a vegetation study
conducted in FY24. The management plan includes the continuous
eradication of invader vegetation species.
In the Mozambique operational area, ecological monitoring continues
to be conducted annually across previously disturbed sites that have
undergone rehabilitation, including gas flowlines and trunklines,
borrow pits, seismic lines, and access roads. Notably, good vegetation
recovery has been observed, particularly on rehabilitated seismic lines
and flowlines, where a high diversity of both tree/shrub and grass/
herbaceous species has been recorded. Activities in environmentally
sensitive areas remain restricted in accordance with established
buffer zones to minimise ecological impact.
In support of the current drilling campaign, new well pads and access
roads were cleared, and approximately 15% of the total cleared area
– excluding the permanent footprint – has already been rehabilitated.
SASOL INTEGRATED REPORT 2025
88
Land remediation
Sasol is an active member of the Network for Industrially Contaminated
Land in Africa (NICOLA), which facilitates dialogue among industry
leaders on issues related to contaminated land. We currently serve
on its steering committee and in 2024, we contributed to the
NICOLA conference. NICOLA also serves as a gateway to international
expertise through partnerships with networks such as NICOLE (the
Network for Contaminated Land in Europe) and other global forums.
Our South African operations continue to advance land risk
management through ongoing site assessments in alignment with
notifications received under Part 8 of the National Environmental
Management: Waste Act.
Sasolburg
• Remediation activities that included capping at the old tarpit sites
were completed, resulting in improved containment of legacy waste
areas and enhanced protection of surrounding water resources.
• Improvements were implemented at the Midland solids dump site
through land management activities that included shallow trenches
to improve clean and dirty stormwater separation.
• Remediation of soils at the former Derivatives plant has started
in accordance with a remediation order received in FY24. This will
positively contribute to soil and groundwater quality in the area.
Secunda
• Remediation measures at our Secunda nitro sulphuric acid bund
were successfully implemented.
• SO received project closure confirmation from DFFE. This highlights
a first ever closure for remediation projects undertaken by Sasol.
