THE CONTEXT W E O P E R AT E I N
THE CONTEXT WE OPERATE IN ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
The South African economy continued to suffer from pedestrian growth in 2020 and was slow in policy shifts, without which our economy is unlikely to recover. State capture has had unexpected and direct knock-on effects on the NPC sector. The allegedly fake charities, currently under investigation, which are funded through the National Lottery Commission’s distribution of funds, have diverted funds from legitimate NPCs. This not only directly prejudice charities, but also damages the credibility as a sector and our ability to retain donor confidence. Diversion of funds within SOEs has seen corporate social responsibility funds to NPCs dwindle and evaporate. In the past six years, State and SOE contributions to the running of the NSRI have decreased by 60% in nominal terms, with significant effect. We have been fortunate to have recouped some of this loss through contracts with local authorities for services, or through Grants-in-Aid. As lockdowns wreak havoc on the economy, the available pool for charity tends to shrink. In this context, the model utilised for charity fundraising becomes critical, and we believe it is our model of raising funds in small amounts across a large and diverse group of donors, that has sustained us through an exceptionally tough year. With the COVID-19 pandemic persisting and new strains of the virus evolving, it seems likely that muted economic conditions will continue and that realising the required revenues will be as difficult, if not more of a challenge.
The greatest long-term threat to our existence remains climate change and lack of care of the environment. Water crises in the Western, Eastern and Southern Cape, extreme weather conditions and devastating wildfires have all underlined the importance of the environment to sustainability and livelihoods. We have taken a position with regards to conservation, identify with initiatives to conserve marine animals, whales, dolphins, turtles and seabirds, and actively participate in programmes related to protecting these species. We are positively against marine pollution of a solid, biological and chemical nature and lobby local government to improve their systems. We understand the impact that marine pollution has on human health and our activism relates to our values around human life. The ocean cannot continue to absorb the waste it is confronted with and we must make internal and external effort as an organisation to reduce pollution. We are conscious of energy requirements and its impact on the environment, and we are constantly striving to reduce our environmental footprint through more efficient sources and mechanisms like LED lighting, four-stroke outboard motors, building insulation and reduced travel.
20
NSRI ANNUAL CONSUMPTION Consumption
N S R I – I N T E G R AT E D A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 0
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
195 519
198 899
149 672
216 675
294 202
Water (kl)
11 152
6 910
6 862
4 204
2 954
Fuel - Petrol (litres)
81 716
77 290
76 050
80 374
18 445
Fuel - Diesel (litres)
80 089
89 374
86 027
116 538
86 691
339
292
326
481
6
Electricity (kwh)
No of Flights
