Vivian announces investment in alternative energy during Ministerial visit

“Investing to reducing our carbon emissions, to generate more energy via alternative technologies, investment in electric company vehicles, doubling our current PV system on our roof and continuous education on the conservation of energy are amongst Vivian’s priorities to become more sustainable.”

This was announced by Joanna Gatt, Director at Vivian who heads the company’s new Sustainability Committee during a courtesy visit at Vivian’s premises in Marsa by Hon Dr. Miriam Dalli, Minister for the Environment, Energy and Regeneration of the Grand Harbour.

During the visit, Joanna Gatt explained how Vivian’s Sustainability Committee is in line with the company’s commitment and responsibility towards more sustainability in Malta.

“When we moved to our new premises in Marsa eight months ago, it was an opportunity to start from scratch and to start doing things better. We are a specialised healthcare company and like all businesses should, we recognise that we need to constantly ensure we operate more in line with the ESG values.  More importantly, this journey has to be undertaken by everyone within the company,” said Joanna Gatt.

Introducing Vivian’s Sustainability Committee team, Denise Borg Manche, Managing Director of Vivian explained how this initiative has been carefully curated to be representative of the entire organisation and to possess the necessary expertise.

“We believe that everyone has a role to play in this goal for more sustainable operations. Today, after months of constant training and education on how we can operate better, all of us at Vivian know that to engage in more sustainable practices simply involves making sure we find a better way of doing things, together” said Ms Borg Manche.

In her comments, Minister Miriam Dalli commended Vivian’s commitment to the value of sustainability.

“Companies have a crucial role in fulfilling our country’s vision to achieve a more sustainable way of operating and doing things. Moreover, companies can be powerful drivers for positive change not only amongst their employees but also with stakeholders, communities and society at large. The way Vivian chose to lead by example by setting up a Sustainable Committee made up of employees is commendable as this fosters a more collaborative and inclusive approach which is crucial to reach our country’s goals,” said Minister Dalli.

Vivian’s Sustainability Committee operates a compliance checkbox which includes initiatives such as email management to reduce carbon footprints, energy conservation, reduction of noise to enhance tranquillity within the workspace, waste separation, paper use reduction, and digitalization. Employee training is ensuring that all of its workforce is well-versed in ESG and sustainability practices.

Vivian’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond internal practices and has already been engaging with several stakeholders apart from its colleagues, such as patient groups, its suppliers and clients, the Malta Chamber, as well as with the local community in Marsa.

Eventually, the company will also undergo a thorough Materiality Assessment to identify the common key areas of most relevance to both its stakeholders as well as to the company.

“Our top priorities are to continue to ensure business ethics, to strive for equitable market access of innovative treatments and diagnostics, patient safety, diversity, equity and inclusion and to reduce our carbon emissions for the improvement of the quality of life of Malta’s population,” added Joanna Gatt.

Vivian also applied for and received a grant in support of its reporting exercise after the Government launched €5K grants to support SMEs who wanted to start reporting on their sustainability measures. Research on various other possible grants is also ongoing.

“As an SME, we are not yet obliged to undertake ESG reporting but we believe in setting an example and now, our reporting on the Malta ESG Platform, will prepare us for when we would need to be aligned with future regulatory requirements such as the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD),” added Joanna Gatt.

“We feel that this approach makes our work and our vision, so much more meaningful,” concluded Joanna Gatt.