DIMO
Q: How does your organisation define ‘corporate sustainability’?
A: Extending beyond mitigating negative impacts, corporate sustainability is about strategically leveraging sustainable practices to create value for businesses, communities and the environment.
This philosophy is embedded in our corporate strategy as explicated in DIMO’s Sustainability Agenda 2030 with a specific focus on three main pillars: resilient business, resilient community and conserving the living planet.
Apropos resilient business, DIMO introduced a scorecard to evaluate our product portfolio to ensure continued sustainability while embracing ethical business practices and sustainable sourcing. By creating opportunities and partnerships for people to thrive, the business will build a resilient community.
Our environmental conservation efforts are guided by two sub-pillars: minimising our environmental footprint and restoring the planet while creating value for stakeholders.
And our sustainability commitment is reflected in our purpose of fulfilling the aspirations of the communities we serve.
Q: How does your organisation address environmental concerns?
A: DIMO took significant strides in this regard as evidenced by a 30.6 percent waste reuse rate, a 15.8 percent recycling progress and a 17 percent increase in treated water for reuse in 2023/2024.
Beyond business boundaries, DIMO engages in various initiatives that align with our Sustainability Agenda 2030 and the UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs).
The Panama Turtle Conservation Project, a collaborative effort with Wildlife & Ocean Resource Conservation (WORC) to protect endangered sea turtles along the Panama-Okanda coastline over a 12 year period, safeguarded 1,314 nests and 153,815 eggs with a hatchling survival rate between 75-89 percent.
Similarly successful is the Life to Reef Coral Restoration Project – another collaboration with WORC, which addresses the challenges of coral reef restoration following El Niño disturbances – that revitalised 30 coral species across 3.5 acres.
The Kanneliya LIFE Forest Restoration programme, in partnership with Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and other corporate partners, focuses on terrestrial ecosystem conservation and successfully restored 12 hectares of forest with over 18,000 native plants.
Recognising the importance of mangrove ecosystems for carbon sequestration and coastal protection, the Galle Mangrove Project, launched in partnership with MAS Holdings and the Galle Conservation Society (GCS), aims to restore 18 hectares of mangroves.
Q: What are the latest trends influencing the shift to greener solutions?
A: Net zero standards push diversified conglomerates such as DIMO to adopt greener solutions across every sector it represents. Today, DIMO Energy pursues more opportunities in renewables such as solar while our mobility business focuses on electric vehicles.
With the circular economy, the vehicle servicing business prioritises longevity while the construction machinery cluster concentrates on rentals and resale for a greener future.
Sustainable supply chains necessitate DIMO Agribusinesses to adopt an out-grower programme for sustainable sourcing for its agri-based processed foods business.
Advancements in technology empowered our building services business to deliver energy audits to monitor consumption and energy efficient building management solutions. Sustainability reporting allows meticulous data collection, facilitating informed decision-making while preventing DIMO from greenwashing.
Q: What role do customers play in sustainability?
A: From individual consumers to institutional clients, our customers prioritise sustainable choices such as low emission products, energy efficient solutions and resource optimisation, driving the focus on sustainable innovations.
Institutional clients such as the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) emphasise energy efficient, sustainable water management. Aligning with this, DIMO offers efficient solutions with KSB for national water projects.
In the healthcare sector our energy efficient, low radiation equipment from Siemens reflects this commitment.
Energy efficient TKE home elevators, energy saving DIMO Lumin lighting solutions and the Miditer organic agri-based food range are some of DIMO’s sustainable solutions.
Q: What are your organisation’s plans?
A: DIMO emphasises sustainability through a multi-pronged approach. By 2030, we aim to generate 50 percent of revenue from sustainable products and services while evaluating new business expansions through a sustainability lens.
We’re committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within the company with the goal of achieving 40 percent female representation in leadership roles.
Recognising the critical role of education and healthcare in sustainable development, DIMO focuses its community development projects on these sectors with the goal of empowering a million lives.
With environmental sustainability at the core, our goal is to ensure 100 percent treated water usage, zero landfill waste, 50 percent reduction in carbon emissions, and 1:1 restoration by 2030.
DIMO is building a ‘climate smart village’ to empower communities, and create an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable tomorrow for future generations.
Telephone 2449797 | Email dimo@dimolanka.com | Website www.dimolanka.com
