• Key local initiatives contribute to two Global CSR Awards for Bridgestone China Asia Pacific.
• Bridgestone China Asia Pacific claimed Gold awards for CSR and ESG Leadership, and Best Environmental Excellence.
• Australia and New Zealand's contribution to RYDA road safety education program and Bandag retread sustainable manufacturing are highlighted by the awards. 
• The double award victory demonstrates the impact of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment's values.

ADELAIDE, South Australia (1 December, 2022) — Activity conducted Bridgestone Australia & New Zealand has been showcased in Bridgestone China Asia Pacific's (BSCAP) double victory in the acclaimed Global CSR & ESG Summit Awards.

BSCAP won Gold in both the CSR and ESG Leadership category, and the Best Environmental Excellence Award in the suite of awards facilitated by Pinnacle Group International. Australia & New Zealand's ongoing commitment to the RYDA road safety education program, and sustainable practices embedded within the Bandag retread business were highlighted as a significant contributor to the award victories.  

This is the fifth consecutive year that BSCAP has being recognised for its initiatives across the region at the Global CSR & ESG Awards.

The Global CSR & ESG Summit & Awards are Asia's Most Prestigious Recognition Awards programme for Corporate Social Responsibility and ESG. The awards recognise companies for outstanding, innovative and world-class services, projects and programs that demonstrate leadership and commitment to incorporating ethical values, compliance, and respect for individuals, communities and the environment in the way they do business.

According to Bridgestone Australia & New Zealand Managing Director, Heath Barclay, the local contribution to these global awards highlights the importance Bridgestone places on social issues as well as being active in our local communities.

"Bridgestone takes its commitment to corporate social responsibility seriously, and this is evident with how the global Bridgestone E8 Commitment underpins our business activity. We're thrilled to have local activity highlighted in the Global CSR & ESG Awards again in 2022, showcasing the contribution that Australia & New Zealand makes towards Bridgestone's focus on a more sustainable society," Mr Barclay said.

The Bridgestone E8 Commitment was launched this year, committed to creating value through "purpose" and "process," together with employees, society, its partners, and customers to realise a sustainable society. This will serve as the axis to drive management while earning the trust of future generations.

Made up of eight values: Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease and Empowerment, the Bridgestone E8 Commitment is designed to create purpose and process for the company, partners and customers towards the development of a more sustainable society.

BSCAP's victory in the CSR and ESG Leadership category was centred around the regional commitment to road safety activity – including the ongoing commitment of Bridgestone Australia & New Zealand to the RYDA road safety education program. The Bridgestone E8 Commitment values of ease and empowerment underpin this activity.

The RYDA program sees young drivers, or soon to be drivers, take part in a workshop which featuring a series of sessions led by expert facilitators who address laws, distractions, risk management, peripheral vision, and other important safety considerations for motorists.

Bridgestone Australia & New Zealand has supported RYDA the program since 2017. Each year, around 45,000 students from more than 650 school throughout Australia and New Zealand take part in workshops each year.
 
The Best Environmental Excellence Award recognised the significant contribution that Bridgestone's Bandag retread business makes towards carbon emission reduction through renewable energy and water stewardship.  

Local production in Queensland, Australia of Bandag retreads, which this year celebrated its 60th anniversary, is a manufacturing success story and case study for sustainable practices because of the reduced reliance on raw materials, energy, and water used in the production process – highlighted in Bridgestone's Retreading for a Better World materials.

Through the sustainable production of Bandag retreads, the Bridgestone E8 Commitment values of ecology, energy, extension, economy and efficiency are realised through the utilisation of water harvesting and renewable energy, and the benefits to trucking customers in operating more sustainable fleets.

Bridgestone Australia & New Zealand's Head of Sustainability & Communications, Jo Hayes, says the activity that has been showcased within our market complements the contributions Bridgestone makes on a broader scale.

"As a company, we are committed to enhancing the way that people live, move, work and play, and this is evident through our activity on a local, regional and global level," Ms Hayes said.

"The Bridgestone E8 Commitment is a business wide contribution and, as these awards recognise, is fundamental to how Bridgestone does business. Our local activity is aligned to the values of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment to create to a more sustainable future for both society and our business.

"We're delighted that our local activity has once again being showcased on the world stage through the Global CSR and ESG Awards and are proud to be recognised for our continued contribution towards a sustainable future," Ms Hayes added.

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