Policies
[ESRS S3-1; GRI 2-23, 2-25, 3-3c]
For a more detailed information on Lenzing’s Global Whistleblower Directive, please see the “Business conduct” chapter.
Although the Lenzing Group has set very high technological and safety standards for the construction, operation and maintenance of its production facilities, the risk of malfunctions, disruptions and accidents with the potential to also affect surrounding communities cannot be entirely dismissed.
Channels for raising concerns
[ESRS S3-3; GRI 2-25]
An online-based whistleblower system was introduced in 2017 and is designed so that employees, customers, suppliers, communities and other third parties can voice their concerns. This platform allows individuals to report issues such as corruption, bribery, conflicts of interests, antitrust violations, and breaches of capital market law. Known as the BKMS® whistleblower system, or “Tell us”, it is accessible on Lenzing’s website, ensuring anonymity. Upon receiving reports, a team of legal experts evaluates the incidents and forwards them to the Group Compliance Officer or the Local Compliance Officer if necessary. The anonymous reporting feature ensures that individuals can share their concerns without the fear of retaliation. For further details, please refer to the “Business conduct” chapter.
Actions
[ESRS S3-4; GRI 3-3d, 413-1, 413-2]
A summary of the “Actions taken” can be found in the management approach at the beginning of this chapter.
Enhancing community wellbeing
A map of the Lenzing Group showing its locations can be found in the “Lenzing Group locations” chapter. Promoting societal wellbeing is a key cornerstone of Lenzing’s “Naturally Positive” sustainability strategy and more than just a question of ensuring society’s acceptance of Lenzing’s activities. The sites have established structures with regard to corporate citizenship to provide support to social and environmental protection projects as well as local activities with regards to education and health care.
In the year under review, the Lenzing employees responsible for community relations were defined for the individual sites in order to subsequently be able to establish better Group-wide networking and a corresponding exchange. This more structured approach is planned for the coming years. It is also planned to prepare an impact assessment and an implementation plan.
For more information, please see the “Community engagement” focus paper. Details on Lenzing’s handling of complaints can be found in the “Business conduct” chapter.
Corporate citizenship
Lenzing contributes to strengthen the economy in the regions where it operates. This is confirmed yet again by a study of the socio-economic and regional economic importance of the Lenzing Group, conducted by the Gesellschaft für Angewandte Wirtschaftsforschung KG (Innsbruck, Austria) for the year 2023. The study will be available from the beginning of April in the “Community engagement” focus paper.
Conservation and reforestation of forests
The wellbeing of community members is also influenced by their environmental surroundings.
For example, Lenzing manages a 40-hectare forest around its main plant in Lenzing (Austria). The forest is managed to meet various social and natural requirements. It serves as a “green belt”, acting as a natural barrier for site-specific emissions and contributing to a livable environment in the vicinity of the main Lenzing plant. It is a recreational area for the public and therefore of great importance for the company. The forest area, especially in its 80-year-old stand, is a habitat for wildlife and insects. Lenzing follows a sustainable management concept that uses this local wood for its fiber production. This way, Lenzing reduces emissions and keeps the raw material in the region. When reforesting, emphasis is also placed on native and diverse tree species to mitigate future challenges of climate change. Lenzing works with local partners to keep the added value in the region.
Lenzing supports biodiversity projects. To find out more about the current projects please have a look at the “Community engagement” focus paper. For more information about biodiversity, please refer to the “Biodiversity and ecosystems” chapter.