Crystal International Steps up Climate Action by Strengthening Solar Energy Use and Climate Risk Management
Hong Kong – Crystal International Group Limited (“Crystal International”) has been striving hard to confront climate change and work toward the long-term commitment on carbon reduction goal – reducing 30% aggregate carbon emissions by 2030. The expansion of renewable energy is the indispensable strategy to continue the positive momentum of decarbonisation. In addition to the existing rooftop solar photovoltaic system of Crystal International’s intimate factory in Vietnam with 600 kW capacity, two more factories in Vietnam, the sportswear factory and the lifestyle wear factory have newly installed the rooftop solar photovoltaic systems at its advanced factory buildings this year, with a total capacity of 3,600 kW, which can generate 31% - 68% of energy consumption of those factory buildings and result in around 10% carbon reduction annually.
To support the group-wide expansion plan of rooftop solar system, other factories in Vietnam and Cambodia are also conducting the feasibility study of on-site rooftop solar photovoltaic system. Crystal International will progressively install the on-site solar photovoltaic system in all factories whichever operationally viable. For instance, the lifestyle wear factory in China will start the installation next year, targeting to be completed in 2024 in 3 phases. Upon the installation, the factory can generate in total 3,600 kW of solar energy each year, amounting 16% of electricity consumption of the whole factory.
Commenting on the decarbonisation journey, Ms Catherine Chiu, General Manager of Corporate Quality & Sustainability Department, claimed, “We see the threat of climate change and climate action will be our staunch focus in the coming years. By developing long-term decarbonisation strategy comprising renewable energy, energy efficiency and appropriate offsetting in our operating countries, we hope to massively cut carbon emissions and help to mitigate climate change”.
To optimise the effective management of climate-related risks, Crystal International has commenced a preliminary study of Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) in 2021, to identify potential climate-related risks, assess the climate change-related impacts on Crystal, as well as identifying gaps during the risk management and strategic planning processes with reference to the recommendations of TCFD.
To equip the factory teams with relevant knowledge, Crystal factories in Bangladesh, Cambodia and Vietnam will participate in a climate action training by the GIZ FABRIC and the UN Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action. The factories will learn more about the impacts of climate change to fashion industry, accounting for greenhouse gas emissions, and actions for mitigating the impact. This facilitates the factories to move forward in the decarbonisation pathway.
Crystal International will remain dedicated to use its scale to continuously reduce environmental impacts and set ambitious climate goals to make a difference in the garment manufacturing industry.