Rotana Corporate Sustainability Report 2017

25 and external standards, such as the ISO 14001 environmental management standard, OHSAS 18001, Occupational Health and Safety assessment series, to achieve demonstrably sound environmental and occupational health and safety performance at different times over the life of an operation, including to: - Identify and assess potential impacts in the planning stages - Monitor and mitigate impacts throughout operations • During Project planning We have specific requirements and recommendations governing how we identify and manage potential impacts of projects that carry particular environmental and social risks. We carry out a screening process to identify the potential impacts that these projects could have during construction and over their lifetime, such as impacts on sensitive or protected areas and species. For example, we conducted baseline assessments on a project in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island, affecting marine wildlife mainly turtle species. In collaboration with the environment agency, we ensured the area and turtles are protected during the project construction and cessation of construction activities during the turtle nesting period. We undertake preliminary reviews and consider social aspects, including prevalence of corruption and bribery in the host country, local employment, security and human rights, resettlement, community health and safety, and the livelihoods of local communities, including indigenous peoples. The findings of review help us to design and then carry out detailed impact assessments, identify mitigation measures and implement these in project design, construction and operations. More focus is currently placed on our projects in African countries to tackle material and social issues affecting our operations. • During Hotel Operation Our hotels can have a lifespan of several decades and our operations work to manage environmental and social impacts throughout. Every year, our hotels review their environmental and social performance and set improvement objectives. These can include measures for reducing water, energy, greenhouse gas and air emissions, and waste to social activities, contributions, commuting engagement, volunteering hours, colleague’s welfare and many others. We prioritise our efforts according to local environmental sensitivities and their impact on nearby communities. Details of our hotels achievements and performance progress are provided in corresponding sections of the report.