Increasingly dramatic events like snowstorms in the middle of summer in some parts of the world have led to climate activists and concerned citizens calling for government and organisational action to take better care of the planet with hopes of reducing the adverse effects of human actions on our planet. In this interview, Herve Barrere, Managing Director, Fan Milk Plc, explains the actions the company is taking to play its part in caring for the environment as a responsible corporate citizen.
We have a duty to educate and enlighten youth so that they are well-equipped to tackle some of the challenges they may face in the future in this area
Tell us a little bit more about your One Planet. One Health?
Fan Milk Plc, is a part of Danone and for us One Planet, One Health is a rallying call to join the ongoing Food Revolution and create a movement aimed at nurturing the adoption of healthier and more sustainable eating and drinking habits. To join us in unleashing the power of food and drink to change our lives and the world, driven by the same pioneering spirit that dates to our roots. In 1972, Antoine Riboud said: “There is only one Earth. We only live once”, so, for us, One Planet means that we embrace the vision for sustainable business practices, ensuring that our business activities do not have a negative effect on our communities and our planet, the only planet we have.”
In what ways is the team at Fan Milk bringing this to life now?
Locally, we are contributing our quota to preserving and renewing the planet resources by putting our resources behind the recycling of plastics and freezers. Working with partners with passion, we reduce plastic footprint by collecting plastics and bringing back for recycling thereby reducing waste to landfill, improving environmental sanitation, creating wealth through waste and obeying extended Producer Responsibility tenet.
Recently, we also signed an agreement with Hinckley recycling to recycle our used freezers responsibly to ensure that they do not constitute a harm to the environment. We have a strong belief that the health of people and the health of the planet are interconnected, and we hold on to our unwavering commitment to manufacturing and marketing healthy, nourishing, refreshing and enjoyable dairy food products in an environmentally responsible manner.
Do you feel that there are still more opportunities for you to work with other likeminded organisations in this space?
It is important to say that we already have some great partners as I have mentioned before.
However, this is a journey and we recognise that there will always be a need to work with others to make the greatest impact – from other organisations, to governments and even to individuals.
We will continue to review our progress in this area and look for opportunities to partner as and when the need arises and in alignment with our overall business and environmental objectives.
During the launch event for One Planet One Health, you also celebrated 100 years of Danone, tell us a little bit more about that?
We celebrated 100 years of Danone yoghurt this year and this is a global celebration that took place across our offices around the world. In Nigeria, as part of our celebration of World Environment Day and the launch of One Planet One Health, we marked the occasion with a tree planting ceremony. In partnership with Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK), and the Ministry for the Environment, we planted trees and unveiled the adoption of a green space. We felt that this was a befitting way to celebrate, especially in line with the theme for 2019 World Environment Day which was Air pollution. Trees play a very important role is combating air pollution and when you think of the popular Chinese proverb that says: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now,” our actions are testament to our desire to make a positive impact in our planet.
How have you been able to get this commitment to caring for the environment into the organisational culture with staff?
Our staff are aware of and are committed to One Planet One Health because they have been part of putting it together. Caring for our consumers and our planet is something that every Fan Milk and Danone staff is passionate about and they have played an important role in championing this vision so it is not just something that someone somewhere in the company manages alone but rather something that is jointly owned by our staff across various levels throughout our organisation. As a result of this co-ownership approach, there is a high level of passion and commitment to One Planet One Health and in bringing that to life across our business.
In recent years, there has been an increase in calls for corporations to do more in the fight against climate change and in caring more for the environment in general. What will you say to other organisations to encourage them to take actions like you have taken ?
Let me first say that there are lot of organisations both in Nigeria and across Africa and the world that are making giant strides in this space and we are honoured that we can do the same. Having said that, over the years it has become clear that the actions that we take at every level, not just as organisations, but also as individuals and communities and societies will have an impact on our planet, as such anyone that is aware of something they can do differently to make that impact a positive one must do so. It is important to know that we are not only doing this for ourselves but for the future generations as well.
This is something that we feel particularly passionate about at Fan Milk and that is the driving force behind our sponsorship of the Wetlands & Biodiversity for Secondary Schools programme which is run in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry for the Environment. We have a duty to educate and enlighten youth so that they are well-equipped to tackle some of the challenges they may face in the future in this area.
We have been speaking about corporations all this while, on an individual level what can people do to contribute their quota in caring for our environment?
It is often said that little changes over a long time can make a big difference. So, things like using water responsibly, being more conscious to recycle, reducing our plastic waste in the home etc. all these things can make a difference if individuals and communities come together to take collective action.
In your opinion, as the leader of a business that has been in Nigeria now for almost 60 years, what do you think it takes to run a successful business in Nigeria?
I think attitude is very important for any entrepreneur. You must have the right attitude and see opportunities and risks from the right perspective. Just like in many societies where opportunities abound, there is a need to be persistent, keep focused despite failures, rejections and challenges. You must stay focused and keep going even through those tough times.
What else can we expect from Fan Milk as part of the One Planet. One Health movement?
In addition to these, we have some exciting programmes lined up which we will execute under the One Planet One Health banner and so I will say watch this space as we roll these out over the coming months.
What else can we expect from Fan Milk as a business? Any new products or innovations coming up soon that you can share with us?
As a Company focussed on innovation and value creation for our esteemed consumers; we have exciting products in our innovation pipeline and again I will say watch this space.
