BJC Materiality Topics and Boundaries
BJC conducts regular reviews of its material topics in alignment with the latest requirements of the GRI Standards. The objective of this review is to ensure that the prioritized material topics continue to reflect the interests and expectations of both internal and external stakeholders. This process enables BJC to systematically identify actual and potential, positive and negative impacts on the economy, environment, and people, including impacts on human rights, across its activities and business relationships.
By identifying these impacts, BJC is better equipped to develop and implement strategic initiatives that maximize positive contributions to economic, social, and environmental development while proactively mitigating adverse outcomes, including risks of human rights violations.
Material topics are determined through a robust and inclusive assessment process that captures the perspectives and concerns of relevant stakeholder groups. This includes the evaluation of sustainability issues pertinent to the Food and Staples Retailing sector and the broader sustainability landscape. The topics are further validated through benchmarking against global megatrends, peer industry practices, and established national and international frameworks such as the World Economic Forum, S&P Global CSA, UN Global Compact (Ten Principles), SASB Standards, and more.
The materiality assessment follows the updated GRI Standards and incorporates stakeholder feedback gathered through both primary and secondary research. Primary methods include surveys, interviews, and direct engagements with external stakeholders, while secondary sources include desktop research, internal consultations, and the review of credible publications. This comprehensive approach ensures a well-rounded understanding of stakeholder priorities and evolving sustainability challenges.
The 2024 reassessment confirmed that the material topics identified by BJC continue to reflect the priorities of its stakeholders. These topics are subsequently presented to relevant internal stakeholders, including senior executives and top management, for validation and endorsement prior to disclosure in the annual sustainability report.
Materiality Consolidation Process
1. Identification
BJC identifies relevant material issues through the assessment of internal processes such as the quarterly Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) process and external influences such as global trends, business strategies, risks and opportunities impacts on business, business direction of sustainability, relevant national and international standard requirements and relevant BJC stakeholder interests. BJC also considers the material issues from previous years.
Outcome: BJC's Topic Universe (Material Topics)
2. Prioritization
BJC prioritize reporting on material topics that represent the most significant impacts on the economy, environment, and social, including impacts on their human rights. Material issues are prioritized using a materiality matrix. This process is achieved by ongoing identification and assessment of impacts, which involves engaging with relevant internal stakeholders through the quarterly Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) process and external stakeholders and experts, utilizing the double materiality principles to attain a more insightful assessment.
Outcome: BJC's Materiality List
3. Validation
Materiality topics are then presented to the Sustainable Development Committee, who is appointed by the Board of Directors (BOD) to be accountable for reviewing, evaluating, and validating (signoff) the results of the materiality assessment, and approves the information for public disclosure. Additionally, the materiality assessment process is verified by a third-party assurance provider to assess that the process is conducted accurately.
Outcome: Validated BJC's Material Topic & Materiality List
Stakeholder Engagement Categorization
BJC treasures input and opinions from all relevant stakeholders, integrating feedback into new strategic developments and striving to continuously engage with all stakeholders. To accomplish this, the Sustainable Development working group, along with representatives from each business unit, identifies relevant stakeholders throughout the value chain. Each group is prioritized based on their dependency and influence on BJC, and appropriate channels and frequencies of engagement are identified accordingly. The categorization and engagement process is then reported to the Sustainable Development Committee for approval.
This stakeholder engagement provides BJC with a better understanding of each group's requirements and expectations, leading to the development of clear and comprehensive commitments, policies, strategies, and projects to meet these expectations. BJC engages each stakeholder group differently through various online and offline channels as follows.
BJC Stakeholders
BJC has identified and prioritized its key stakeholder groups based on their influence on and interest in the organization’s operations. The table below outlines BJC's key stakeholders, ranked by priority, with Customers & Consumers, Shareholders & Investors, and Employees identified as the top three groups due to their critical roles in driving the company’s sustainable growth and long-term value creation.
Stakeholder Engagements Approach
BJC Materiality Topic 2024
| Priority Level* | Environmental | Economic | Social | |
| Critical | Climate Strategy & Energy Management |
|
Employee Management | |
| Focus | Environmental Management |
Data & Cybersecurity Privacy Protection |
Human Rights | |
| Foundational | Packaging & Circularity | Community Development |
*Note: Prioritization levels (Critical, Focus, Foundational) are adapted from the principles of the SASB Materiality Framework (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board) and customized for internal use.
Changes to the Materiality Topics in 2024
In 2024, BJC’s materiality topics were refined to reflect emerging sustainability trends, stakeholder priorities and strategic focus areas. Key changes include:
Refinements in Governance Topics
• Climate Strategy & Energy Management remains a top priority, focusing on carbon reduction, energy efficiency and renewable energy expansion. BJC continues its commitment to Net Zero GHG Emissions
by 2050, aligning with global and national climate goals. The company is further strengthening its climate risk assessments and decarbonization initiatives across operations and supply chains.
• Technology & Innovation has been introduced as a standalone topic to emphasize the role of digital transformation, AI governance and advanced technologies in driving sustainability and business growth.
• Responsible Supply Chain Management remains a priority, focusing on supply chain resilience, ESG compliance and supplier engagement.
Enhancements in Environmental Topics
• Climate Strategy & Energy Management continues to address climate risks, energy efficiency and decarbonization strategies.
• Environmental Management consolidates waste, water and biodiversity initiatives, ensuring a holistic approach to resource management.
• Packaging & Circularity has been introduced as a key topic, recognizing the increasing importance of sustainable packaging, circular economy principles and regulatory compliance.
Updates in Social Topics
• Employee Management continues to be a key priority, the focus expands on enhancing workforce engagement, well-being and leadership development to ensure long-term employee satisfaction and business resilience.
• Human Rights remains a core pillar, with strengthened commitments to human rights due diligence, ethical labor practices and responsible business conduct across all operations and supply chains.
• Community Development is reinforced to drive sustainable social impact through strategic partnerships, local community investments and education programs, fostering long-term economic and social benefits.
Materiality Issues for Enterprise Value Creation
1) Responsible Supply Chain Management
Supply chain management is critical to BJC’s business. BJC’s value chain spans from upstream to downstream, encompassing diverse businesses. The company sources raw materials both locally and internationally, making climate change a significant factor impacting BJC’s supply chain. A seamless supply chain enables BJC to deliver goods and services efficiently, meeting daily customer needs and driving long-term value creation.
Navigating evolving customer demands requires BJC to adapt to market changes. Effective supply chain management ensures a variety of demanded products are sourced and consistently available, as well as a differentiation that creates competitive advantage. It also fosters sustainable relationships with stakeholders, enhancing their capabilities and improving their quality of life.
In 2024, global supply chain disruptions from geopolitical conflicts, inflation, climate change, and extreme weather have increased operating expenses and product prices. BJC's global operations must address these challenges directly and through its business partners. Thus, effective supply chain management is crucial for mitigating risks, controlling costs, and ensuring product availability and quality for BJC’s customers.
Business Strategies
BJC addresses supply chain management through several primary business strategies and initiatives. A key strategy is the implementation of a Supplier Development Program, ensuring supplier capability. BJC conducts a thorough supplier screening and assessment process, suppliers with room for improvement enter BJC’s Supplier Development Program to ensure quality and reliability.
The mission to foster sustainable supply chain is enforced through Supplier Code of Conduct, managed by the centralized Sustainability and Risk Management Department. BJC’s primary business strategy for addressing supply chain management involves conducting thorough supplier screening to identify potential suppliers with room for improvement. These selected suppliers are then enrolled in BJC's Supplier Development Program, which focuses on enhancing their capabilities. The program aims to improve product quality, safety, and sustainability, ensuring that suppliers meet high standards and contribute effectively to BJC’s supply chain. This approach not only strengthens supplier performance but also aligns with BJC's commitment to sustainability and operational excellence.
BJC develops a sustainable supply chain management approach to achieve operational efficiency. This project emphasizes the value of long-term supplier partnerships for high-quality products and services at affordable pricing. The company's Supplier Code of Conduct promotes ethical sourcing and sustainable business practices. The approach also assesses suppliers for business risk and ESG. Suppliers work with these assessments to improve capabilities and develop sustainably.
The company prioritizes consumer satisfaction by offering safe, affordable, and innovative products and services. A thorough supplier management methodology ensures ethical suppliers and excellent product quality. The company fulfills market needs while supporting sustainable business practices by selecting suppliers based on partnership opportunities, production quality, and consumer response.
The company's strategy encompasses targeted supplier development projects that improve supply chain productivity and quality. These activities minimize supplier variability concerns, especially for climate-vulnerable perishables. These projects have improved agriculture and the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through innovative farming and waste management.
Due to their strategic alignment and long-term growth potential, SMEs and farmers are the Company's main suppliers. The company actively supports these partners by improving agricultural practices and product quality to meet GAP and GMP requirements. This upstream support helps suppliers fulfill the Company's strict quality standards and improves the supply chain.
In summary, the company's sustainable supply chain management strategy incorporates supplier collaboration, ethical sourcing, and continual improvement. The company improves its products, market competitiveness, environmental stewardship, and community welfare by prioritizing supplier development and sustainability standards. These initiatives demonstrate the company's commitment to responsible business and sustainable supply chain management excellence.
Target Year: 2024 (Annually, On-going)
In 2023, BJC set the target for 100% of suppliers to participate in the Supplier Development Program. Building on this foundation, the 2024 target goes further: rather than focusing solely on quantitative participation, BJC now emphasizes qualitative progress. In particular, suppliers— especially SMEs and farmers — to demonstrate measurable progress by achieving sustainability-related standards and certifications. By 2024, BJC expects its supplier base collectively to hold at least 8 recognized standards or certifications. This evolution in targets ensures that supplier participation translates into tangible improvements in quality, compliance, and sustainability performance.
Progress
In 2024, BJC’s suppliers collectively achieved a total of 6 certifications related to sustainability in agricultural products, reflecting measurable progress toward the 2024 target of at least 8 standards or certificates. These certifications demonstrate improved supplier practices in sustainable agriculture, and responsible production, marking a clear step forward from the 2023 baseline where the focus was solely on 100% supplier participation.
- Supplier Training Programs: in 2024 BJC delivered specialized training across its business units to strengthen supplier capabilities in sustainability and compliance. Berli Jucker Foods provided training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to ensure food safety and quality. BJC Glass trainned suppliers on the Green Industry (GI) framework, promoting environmentally responsible production. BJC’s Graphic System Division offered training on sustainability in business and the company’s Business Code of Conduct to reinforce ethical and responsible operations. In 2024, these collective efforts resulted in over 800 suppliers receiving sustainability-related training from BJC, enhancing their capacity to operate responsibly and competitively.
- In 2024, BJC also worked with 172 SME suppliers, actively supporting their growth through sustained purchasing and sales opportunities. The company procured goods from the SME suppliers worth THB 422,506,965, covering 3,738 unique SKUs, and generated total SME product sales of THB 597,179,460. This partnership translated into tangible income growth for SME suppliers, with higher revenues driven by expanded product listings, wider market reach, and consistent demand. The increased sales value reflects a significant positive economic impact, enhancing the financial resilience and long-term viability of SME partners across the supply chain.
These initiatives — training, procurement support, and certification achievements in agricultural sustainability — ensure that BJC’s supply chain remains resilient and reliable while fostering sustainable practices and improving supplier performance. By progressing toward the 2024 certification target and supporting SME growth, BJC demonstrates alignment with its commitment to sustainability, stakeholder prosperity, and the performance KPIs that guide executive compensation.
Executive Compensation
The compensation of BJC’s executives is directly tied to improving profits from agricultural products sold at Big C stores, benefiting both BJC and its suppliers. This performance KPI focuses on ensuring that profits from SME suppliers and farmers increase, creating a clear win-win situation that strengthens the entire value chain.
By supporting suppliers through initiatives like the Supplier Development Program, BJC helps improve the quality of agricultural products, enhancing their marketability. This support enables SMEs and farmers to offer high-quality products, which in turn boosts sales and profits at Big C stores.
To ensure measurable and credible results, BJC uses agricultural sustainability certifications as key indicators. These certifications provide tangible proof that suppliers adhere to best practices, meet rigorous safety and quality requirements, and comply with global benchmarks. This not only builds trust with consumers but also enhances export readiness, ensures long-term competitiveness, and mitigates reputational and compliance risks for both suppliers and BJC.
Higher profits from these sales benefit BJC through increased revenue and operational efficiency. At the same time, suppliers gain better income and business growth opportunities. This mutually beneficial relationship ensures that both BJC and its suppliers thrive, fostering long-term sustainability and joint success.
2) Climate Strategy and Energy Management
Climate strategy and energy management are critical for BJC due to their direct impact on energy consumption, a significant factor in operational costs and environmental footprint. Another pressing concern is Thailand's upcoming carbon tax, expected to take effect in 2025, aimed at mitigating climate impacts and aligning with the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Once in force, the carbon tax will impose additional costs on greenhouse gas emissions, meaning that without effective climate action, such as improving energy efficiency, transitioning to low-carbon technologies, and managing supply chain emissions, BJC could face significant increases in operational expenses, particularly in high-energy-intensive operations.
As the global "Carbon Clock" ticks down with just five years to prevent temperatures from exceeding 1.5°C, BJC's initiatives are crucial not only for compliance with regulatory changes but also for protecting the company from escalating carbon-related costs and avoiding irreversible climate crises.
Business Strategies
BJC’s business strategies are guided by the “1+5” framework and alignment with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which shape its net zero pathway targeting a 42% emissions reduction by 2030. The core actions emphasize: (1) expanding solar rooftop installations and renewable electricity to cut grid reliance and emissions; (2) improving overall energy efficiency; (3) enhancing machinery efficiency to lower consumption; and (4) gradually adopting electric vehicles to reduce fossil fuel use. Supported by external expertise and global best practices, these initiatives reduce costs, manage risks, and minimize environmental impacts while advancing BJC’s 2050 net zero commitment.
In parallel, BJC addresses supply chain management through several primary initiatives. A key strategy is the Supplier Development Program, underpinned by supplier screening and assessments to identify those needing improvement. Enrolled suppliers receive targeted support to strengthen capabilities, ensuring product quality, safety, and sustainability. The Supplier Code of Conduct, managed by the centralized Sustainability and Risk Management Department, reinforces ethical sourcing and ESG practices across the supply chain.
The approach emphasizes long-term supplier partnerships for high-quality, affordable products, while targeted projects improve productivity, reduce variability, and address risks such as climate impacts on perishables. These projects also advance sustainable agriculture and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through responsible farming and waste management practices. SMEs and farmers are core suppliers, supported in meeting sustainable development standards, such as GAP and GMP, to enhance resilience, competitiveness, and market access.
Through these combined strategies, BJC strengthens supply chain performance, promotes inclusivity, and embeds sustainability at the core of operations, ensuring value creation for the business, the environment, and communities.
Target Year: 2032
BJC measures its progress on Climate Strategy & Energy Management through the target of reducing Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 15% and reducing non-renewable energy consumption per revenue by 15% from the base year (2021) by 2032. This metric systematically tracks the efficiency of energy use in relation to the company's financial performance, ensuring that growth does not come at the expense of increased non-renewable energy consumption.
To achieve this target, BJC monitors energy consumption across all operations and implements initiatives such as the Big C Solar Roof Project to expand renewable energy usage. At BJC Glass, advanced technology plays a critical role, AI has been applied in glass manufacturing processes to enhance production efficiency, optimize resource use, and reduce emissions. A key innovation is the ESIII Smart Glass Furnace System, which leverages artificial intelligence and sensor-based controls to dynamically adjust combustion parameters during the glass melting phase. This ensures optimal thermal performance, minimizes unnecessary energy expenditure, and significantly reduces Scope 1 emissions.
Additionally, BJC adopts eco-friendly equipment and integrates electric vehicles (EVs) into operations to further cut reliance on non-renewable energy sources. Progress is systematically evaluated through regular energy audits, continuous tracking of energy consumption data, and benchmarking against revenue metrics. This data-driven approach enables BJC to identify improvement opportunities, ensure alignment with sustainability goals, and transparently report on its advancement towards the 15% reduction target by 2032.
Progress
In 2024, BJC achieved substantial progress toward its climate strategy and energy management targets, recording an 18.4% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions and a 6% reduction in non-renewable energy use, both measured against the company’s 2032 targets. Key initiatives in 2024 included:
Solar Rooftop Installations
- Big C expanded solar panel systems to 2 Mini Big C branches and 88 Hypermarket branches, increasing total renewable energy generation capacity to 90,729,010 kWh/year.
- CPC installed solar panels to reduce coal-based electricity consumption, increasing the share of clean energy and reducing grid electricity usage by 981.72 kWh/year.
Energy Efficiency Initiatives
- RIL: Reduced unnecessary cooling by turning off air conditioning in non-production areas and on non-production days, saving 203,407 kWh/year and 830,000 THB/year while lowering environmental impact.
- BJF: Installed fryer heat recovery equipment to reuse heat for frying oil, optimized office and packing room air conditioning through improved ventilation, and enhanced compressed air system efficiency. These measures are expected to reduce over 335.90 tCO₂e in 2024.
Reducing Reliance on Fossil Fuels
- RIL: Replaced diesel-powered forklifts with electric models, cutting LPG consumption by approximately 6,237 kg and lowering associated greenhouse gas emissions.
Innovation Initiatives
- TGI: Developed an AI-integrated glass melting furnace to optimize temperature control, fuel-air ratio, and product quality, thereby reducing energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and production waste. This innovation achieved energy cost savings of 3.5 million THB in 2024 while enhancing sustainability in glass manufacturing.
Through these initiatives, BJC reinforced its commitment to lowering its carbon footprint, improving energy efficiency, and embedding sustainability across its operations, directly addressing critical climate challenges.
Executive Compensation
BJC has set specific targets for executives responsible for energy management as part of their KPIs to achieve long-term sustainability goals, directly influencing their annual remunerations. For climate and energy management, business unit heads of store operations are accountable for KPIs focused on reducing energy consumption, integrated into the sustainability KPIs. The criteria for these targets include decreasing total and non-renewable energy consumption within the organization, specifically for building and store operations. Additionally, the business unit heads of factory operations have KPIs aimed at reducing GHG emissions (tons of CO2). These metrics ensure that executives are actively engaged in driving BJC's climate and energy management objectives, aligning their performance and compensation with the company's commitment to sustainability and reducing its environmental footprint. This strategic approach not only incentivizes energy efficiency and emission reductions but also promotes a culture of accountability and environmental stewardship within BJC.
3) Employee Management
Employee management is crucial to BJC due to the diverse nature of its operations, spanning multiple industries. This diversity requires a varied workforce in skills, backgrounds, and perspectives, making effective management essential for maintaining a balanced and productive work environment. Retaining skilled employees is vital, as hiring and training new staff is expensive and time-consuming.
Beyond financial incentives, BJC recognizes the importance of work-life balance, significantly impacting employee satisfaction and productivity. Meeting these expectations helps retain talented staff and reduces turnover rates.
BJC is also committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). A diverse workforce enhances creativity and innovation, bringing varied viewpoints and solutions to the table. Managing such a workforce requires careful consideration to ensure all employees feel valued and included. DEI initiatives help foster an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, contributing to BJC's overall success. Effective employee management, including DEI principles, is essential for BJC’s long-term success and sustainability.
Business Strategies
In 2024, there was no major layoff. BJC advanced its human capital agenda by strengthening talent management strategies to attract, develop, and retain top talent across the organization. The company implemented market-competitive pay and benefits, recognition programs, career growth opportunities, and flexible work arrangements to reduce turnover and enhance employee engagement. Beyond compensation, BJC emphasized creating an empowering workplace culture where employees feel valued and supported.
Recognizing the growing importance of digital solutions, BJC expanded its recruitment capabilities by upgrading online platforms, enabling wider access to talent markets, and ensuring efficiency in the hiring process. These initiatives were particularly critical in minimizing dependency on face-to-face interactions during the pandemic while maintaining effective candidate engagement. In parallel, BJC enhanced digital employee engagement programs to sustain satisfaction, foster a sense of belonging, and strengthen long-term retention.
A key component of BJC’s strategy is inclusivity and equity. The company revised employee benefits to be more comprehensive and inclusive, covering all genders and explicitly supporting LGBTQ+ individuals. By promoting diversity, BJC not only broadens its talent pool but also ensures the workplace reflects modern values and attracts candidates with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
To build organizational resilience, BJC reinforced its talent management and succession planning framework. Structured mentorship, leadership development programs, and defined career pathways were introduced to prepare high-potential employees for future leadership roles. Succession planning is embedded into the company’s workforce strategy, ensuring that critical roles have ready-now and ready-future successors, reducing risks of talent gaps. This proactive approach secures business continuity while enabling employees to envision long-term careers within the organization.
By integrating innovative recruitment, inclusive practices, and a systematic succession pipeline, BJC demonstrates its commitment not only to growth and performance but also to sustaining a diverse and future-ready workforce.
Target Year: 2024 (Annually, On-going)
In 2024, BJC focused on attracting and retaining top talent through strategic initiatives, achieving an annual target of 81.5% actively engaged employees. This target measures progress systematically, reflecting BJC’s commitment to employee satisfaction and retention. Key strategies included offering market-competitive pay and benefits packages, recognizing and rewarding employees, providing clear career growth opportunities, and implementing flexible work arrangements to reduce turnover rates and foster a positive work environment.
BJC expanded its recruitment reach by upgrading online platforms to attract talented employees. BJC set a measurable target to enhance employee management, focusing on retention and satisfaction through engagement. By revising benefits to be inclusive of all genders, including LGBTQ+ individuals, BJC demonstrated its commitment to inclusivity and belonging. Innovative recruitment strategies attracted a diverse talent pool, while mentorship programs and career development pathways fostered long-term engagement. These initiatives ensured sustained retention and satisfaction, illustrating BJC's effective progress in human capital management and meeting their strategic goals.
Progress
In 2024, BJC achieved its target of 81.5% actively engaged employees through strategic initiatives aimed at attracting and retaining top talent. This progress is a testament to BJC's commitment to employee satisfaction and retention. The company offered market-competitive pay and benefits, recognized and rewarded employees, provided clear career growth opportunities, and implemented flexible work arrangements, significantly reducing turnover rates over the years (2021: 48%, 2022: 45%, 2023: 28%, 2024: 27%).
The expansion of recruitment reach through upgraded online platforms increased opportunities to hire talented employees. Engagement with current employees via both onsite and digital platforms ensured high levels of retention and satisfaction. Prioritizing inclusivity, BJC revised benefits to cover all genders, including LGBTQ+ individuals, and utilized innovative recruitment practices to attract a diverse workforce. Annual human rights due diligence reinforced fair treatment for all, underscoring BJC's commitment to inclusivity and equity. Additionally, initiatives such as mentorship programs and career development pathways promoted long-term engagement and retention, driving sustained organizational growth and success.
Executive Compensation
The compensation of BJC's executives is linked to the annual performance KPI of increasing the employee engagement score. This metric is directly related to the percentage of actively engaged employees, which was targeted and achieved at 81.5% in 2024. High engagement scores reflect the effectiveness of BJC’s strategies in offering competitive pay, benefits, clear career growth opportunities, and flexible work arrangements.
Increased employee engagement leads to higher productivity, lower turnover rates, and a more positive work environment, contributing to BJC’s overall success. By focusing on enhancing employee engagement, executives drive initiatives that improve satisfaction and retention, ensuring a motivated and committed workforce. This alignment of executive compensation with employee engagement ensures that leadership prioritizes creating a supportive and inclusive workplace, ultimately benefiting BJC’s growth and sustainability. This systematic approach, measured by the engagement score, ensures BJC remains competitive and attractive to top talent.
Material Issues for External Stakeholders
1) Supply Chain Management
BJC's supply chain management practices have a material external impact on societal stakeholders and the environment due to several key reasons. Firstly, BJC's suppliers, including farmers and SMEs, play a crucial role in shaping the quality and availability of products and services offered by BJC. By implementing a sustainable supply chain approach and rigorous product quality and safety assessments across its suppliers, BJC ensures that these stakeholders benefit from enhanced product quality and increased production capacity.
This approach not only fosters positive impacts on suppliers by sharing knowledge and building capabilities but also enables them to improve their product offerings. Through these practices, BJC contributes to the sustainable development of its supply chain partners, thereby supporting their growth and resilience in the market.
Furthermore, by addressing non-financial risks such as environmental impact and social responsibility within its supply chain, BJC demonstrates a commitment to mitigating adverse effects on the environment and local communities. This proactive stance enhances transparency and accountability, which are increasingly valued by external societal stakeholders concerned with sustainable business practices.
In essence, BJC's focus on sustainable supply chain management not only strengthens its relationships with suppliers but also positively influences external societal stakeholders and the environment by promoting responsible business conduct and fostering continuous improvement in product quality and safety standards.
Supplier Development Programs
In 2024, BJC's Supplier Development Programs made significant strides in supporting and enhancing the capabilities of local SMEs, farmers, and suppliers.
- Big C Big Smart Local: Launched in collaboration with the Department of Business Development of the Ministry of Commerce in 2022, this campaign identifies and nurtures potential SMEs, OTOP enterprises, and local farmers. The initiative elevates their product quality, safety, and nutritional value for sale on Big C online platforms. Dedicated experts from Big C provide guidance and practical demonstrations to help participants meet market demands while minimizing chemical usage, thus prioritizing consumer safety. This program not only expands business opportunities for small enterprises but also benefits customers by offering high-quality, locally sourced products in Big C Supercenters nationwide.
- Smart Farming: BJC's Smart Farm initiative leverages technology to plan farming practices with farmers, aiming to enhance work efficiency and sustainable production. This program reduces electricity and water consumption, extends equipment lifespan, and lowers waste and unnecessary expenses. It also increases production while maintaining resource consumption levels, providing farmers with more income opportunities and a better quality of life. Additionally, Smart Farming reduces labor needs, addressing labor shortages and improving occupational health and safety, allowing farmers to save time and gain additional revenue streams.
- Other Supplier Training Programs: Beyond these flagship initiatives, BJC also delivers specialized training across its business units to strengthen supplier capabilities in sustainability and compliance. Berli Jucker Foods provides training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to ensure food safety and quality. BJC Glass trains suppliers on the Green Industry (GI) framework, promoting environmentally responsible production. BJC’s Graphic System Division offers training on sustainability in business and the company’s Business Code of Conduct to reinforce ethical and responsible operations. In 2024, these collective efforts resulted in over 800 suppliers receiving sustainability-related training from BJC, enhancing their capacity to operate responsibly and competitively.
- In 2024, BJC worked with 172 SME suppliers, actively supporting their growth through sustained purchasing and sales opportunities. The company procured goods from the SME suppliers worth THB 422,506,965, covering 3,738 unique SKUs, and generated total SME product sales of THB 597,179,460. This partnership translated into tangible income growth for SME suppliers, with higher revenues driven by expanded product listings, wider market reach, and consistent demand. The increased sales value reflects a significant positive economic impact, enhancing the financial resilience and long-term viability of SME partners across the supply chain.
These initiatives collectively contribute to the sustainable development of BJC's supply chain, ensuring that suppliers are well-equipped to sustain their business growth, which, in turn, aligns with BJC's commitment to higher profitability and long-term sustainability.
Output Metrics: Number of SME suppliers with higher income
Impact Valuation: Improved income for SME suppliers
Impact Metric: Amount of income increase for SME suppliers
2) Climate Strategy and Energy Management
BJC's climate strategy and energy management practices are crucial for the health of external societal stakeholders and the environment. Negative impacts from operations, such as GHG emissions and waste, can harm community health and local ecosystems. To counteract these effects, BJC implements reforestation to offset emissions and adopts solar rooftops, energy-efficient technologies, and EV logistics to shift towards low-carbon operations. These efforts not only align with BJC's net zero emissions target by 2050 but also support global climate goals under the Paris Agreement and discussions at the annual UN Climate Change Conference (COP), where countries commit to limiting global temperature rise to well below 2°C and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. By aligning with these international frameworks, BJC ensures that its climate actions are consistent with both national policy directions and the global pathway to decarbonization.
These initiatives also enhance public health by reducing pollution and environmental degradation, delivering benefits through a cleaner environment, improved health outcomes, and responsible corporate citizenship. By reducing environmental footprint and enhancing operational sustainability, BJC supports surrounding communities and ecosystems. This approach fosters resilience, promotes environmental stewardship, and aligns with societal expectations for responsible corporate citizenship.
Ultimately, BJC's climate and energy management strategies play a crucial role in mitigating negative impacts and maximizing positive contributions to both external stakeholders and the environment. Through BJC’s commitment to being your trusted partner for a sustainable better living, BJC aims to improve the quality of life for all stakeholders, including communities. The topic of Community Development directly relates and impacts community as BJC believe them to be an important and influential stakeholder group to BJC’s revenue generation, corporate image, and long-term success.
Highlight of Climate Actions
BJC has made substantial progress in advancing its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, aligned with its ambitious targets of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 and net-zero by 2050. In 2024, the company implemented a series of impactful initiatives to enhance energy efficiency, increase renewable energy use, and strengthen carbon sequestration efforts.
- Expanding Renewable Energy
- Solar Rooftop Installations: In 2024, solar panel systems were expanded to 2 Mini Big C branches and 88 Hypermarket branches, boosting total renewable energy generation capacity to 90,729,010 kWh/year. At BJC Cellox, solar panels replaced part of coal-based electricity consumption, cutting grid electricity usage by 981.72 kWh/year and increasing the share of clean energy in operations.
- Transitioning to Greener Operations
- Electric Forklifts: Replacing diesel-powered forklifts with electric models reduced reliance on fossil fuels, cutting LPG consumption by approximately 6,237 kg and lowering related GHG emissions.
- Energy Efficiency Measures:
- RIL: Reduced unnecessary cooling by switching off air conditioning in non-production areas and on non-production days, saving 203,407 kWh/year and 830,000 THB/year while minimizing environmental impact.
- BJF: Installed fryer heat recovery systems to reuse heat for frying oil, optimized air conditioning in office and packing areas through improved ventilation, and upgraded compressed air system efficiency. These measures are expected to reduce over 335.90 tCO₂e.
- Forest Restoration & Carbon Sequestration
BJC aims to plant 150,000 trees by 2032. By 2024, 52,638 trees have been planted, including 20,000 trees planted in 2023 in collaboration with local communities and the Royal Forest Department under the “Planting Big Trees for Our House” project. This initiative restored 100 rai of degraded forest in Chiang Rai’s national reserved forest areas, including Doi Luang, Nam Yao, and Nam So Forests, highlighting the critical role of forests in CO₂ absorption and supporting BJC’s net-zero target. - Tangible Climate Results (2022–2024)
- Reduced direct GHG emissions by over 10,000 tCO₂e.
- Increased renewable energy consumption by 45,740 MWh, reducing dependence on non-renewable sources.
- According to data from the Ministry of Public Health, the number of patients in Chiang Rai province suffering from illnesses related to air pollution and respiratory issues was 231,390 in 2023, dropping to 226,523 in 2024, a decrease of 4,867 patients, or 2.10%. Moreover, the reduction in patient numbers grew compared to 2023, rising from 2,944 fewer patients in 2023 to 4,867 in 2024. This suggests that the air quality in the area may have improved, potentially due to BJC’s forest area development initiatives in Chiang Rai province, which have helped lower air pollution levels and reduce health impacts on the local population.
Output Metrics: Air pollution reduction
Impact Valuation: Quantified quality of life impacted
Impact Metric: % drop in patient cases from air pollution
BJC and Sustainable Development Goals
BJC has adopted sustainability principles and approach, integrating sustainability considerations throughout the company, covering environmental, social and governance (ESG) dimensions in all business decisions, strategies, and targets. This approach does not only drive corporate sustainability, ensure business resilience when facing with emerging and unpredictable risks and opportunities, but it also contributes to the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (UNSDGs) promoting sustainability throughout the value chain.
