Actions

[ESRS E4-3; GRI 3-3d]

A summary of the “Actions taken” can be found in the management approach at the beginning of this chapter.

In the presentation of Lenzing’s actions relating to biodiversity and ecosystems, the AR3T framework (Avoid, Reduce, Restore, Regenerate, Transform) is considered a useful sorting scheme that was developed on the basis of the mitigation hierarchy, as set out in the International Financial Corporation’s Performance Standard 6. The following describes how Lenzing implements this framework within its own sphere of influence. While Lenzing supports several restoration and regeneration projects across the world, within and outside of its value chain, it does not make use of biodiversity offsetting. Stakeholder engagement takes place, at present, local and indigenous knowledge of nature-based solutions and other relevant perspectives has not yet been integrated into internal processes.

Avoid: Biodiversity due diligence via sustainable sourcing

Wood and dissolving wood pulp are Lenzing’s most important raw materials. The Lenzing Group assumes responsibility by continually focusing on sustainable sourcing. Lenzing only sources wood and dissolving wood pulp from semi-natural forests and plantations (as defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations¹). Moreover, it does not source materials from natural or ancient and endangered forests. These actions address Lenzing’s material impacts on forest ecosystems and biodiversity as well as the risk of wood scarcity and high wood prices as a result of biodiversity loss, and the opportunity for positive positioning due to best practice wood sourcing from sustainably managed forests and plantations.

Forest certificates

Lenzing’s wood procurement management system ensures that all wood is sourced from legal and sustainably managed sources. Lenzing demonstrates that wood sourcing continuously complies with its high standards through verification based on FSC^® and PEFC certification systems. All wood and dissolving wood pulp used by the Lenzing Group is either certified by FSC^® or PEFC or controlled in line with these standards (see figures  “Certification status”, “Certification status – overall certified and controlled wood” and “Certification status – FSC® Mix and FSC® controlled wood” in the “G1 Business conduct” chapter). This is a continuous process where internal and external audits are conducted annually. Chain of Custody certificates apply to all Lenzing production sites and Lenzing’s own plantations are covered by the forest certificates. FSC^® certification for the Brazilian site in Indianópolis (plantation: FSC-C165948; site: FSC-C175509) also ensures that core labor requirements according to the International Labour Organization (ILO) Core Conventions and the ILO Declaration are met.

The forest certificates held by the Lenzing Group cover general criteria for biodiversity and forest ecosystem protection according to international standards. Additional criteria can be found in the national standards, which vary between countries. For example, the percentage of area set aside for conservation varies between countries and even regions within countries.

For details of wood and pulp certification and due diligence, see the “G1 Business conduct” chapter.

Reduce: Circular economy approaches and climate targets

These actions address impacts on climate change as a driver of biodiversity loss impacts. The aim is to use fewer inputs from natural resources, and to minimize the impact of GHG emissions and pollution.

Pollution prevention

In accordance with the strategic focus area of “Greening the value chain”, the Lenzing Group has targets and ongoing programs in place to reduce emissions (including GHG emissions) affecting water and air. This is achieved by investing in cleaner energy or creating closed loop cycles e.g. for chemicals. For more information, please see the “E1 Climate change” and “E2 Pollution” chapters.

Resource use

[resource use in connection to biodiversity GRI 3-3d only]

Lenzing is committed to the cascading use of wood. This means that different qualities of wood are utilized for different applications according to the hierarchy of their value. Lenzing uses timber generated from small trees through thinning, and from parts of large trees, that are unsuitable for high-grade products, such as furniture or construction. Furthermore, wood chips that are a by-product of sawmills are also used. Thanks to these continuous efforts, Lenzing aims to use wood mindfully and minimize inputs from natural resources.

Lenzing’s biorefineries continuously produce dissolving wood pulp as the main product, as well as several biorefinery and co-products and renewable energy. This results in 100 percent utilization of wood.

Recycling of cellulose textiles into new fibers can reduce certain pressures on ecosystems such as land and water use, and is therefore higher on Lenzing’s innovation agenda. The REFIBRA™ process has previously been developed to recycle cotton into lyocell or viscose fibers and Lenzing’s R&D works on continuously improving the technology. Industrial upscaling of the process continues even though the market environment for recycling textiles is difficult.

For details, please see the “Responsible production” focus paper and the “E5 Resource use and circular economy” chapter.

Conservation, afforestation, restoration and reforestation

Lenzing takes conservation measures within LD Celulose’s plantations. These measures address impacts on ecosystem services, the state of endangered or threatened species in plantations and forests, and the (accidental) introduction of invasive alien species by transporting of wood. Lenzing’s plantation in Brazil is managed by LD Celulose and contains a conservation area that is dedicated to biodiversity protection. Biodiversity and ecosystem monitoring of flora and fauna occurs annually or twice per year and covers the entire area of the plantation. For more information, please see “Conservation within LD Celulose’s plantations” in the “Impact, risk and opportunity management” section of this chapter.

Lenzing also supports several conservation, restoration, reforestation and afforestation projects and solutions, both in its supply chain and in regions that are not related to its own supply chain, such as afforestation in Albania, DR Congo and the USA. By taking action and supporting such conservation and afforestation projects, Lenzing addresses impacts on the state of the species, the global species extinction risks, ecosystem services as well as changes in land use and climate change as drivers of biodiversity loss.

For more information on the following projects, please see the “Restoration and reforestation” section in this chapter.

• Innovation for people: Reducing the carbon footprint, protecting forests and improving the lives of rural communities that are vulnerable to the effects of the climate crisis
• Maintenance and support of ecosystem services in Austria
• Albania and West Balkans/Drin River Valley

For more information on further projects, please see the “Fiber brand-related climate protection, forest protection and afforestation projects 2024” section.

For more information on the projects listed below, please see the “Biodiversity and ecosystems stakeholder engagement” section of this chapter.

• Wood K Plus
• Sustainable Agriculture & Agroforestry in Tanzania (ICEP Project Lenzing Tanzania)
• In the Ruvubu National Park (Burundi), reduction of utilization pressure and reforestation with native trees to restore the natural ecosystem and contribute to climate protection (Caritas Steiermark/ODAG-Caritas Gitega/Burundi/University of Burundi)
• Fashion Forest Afforestation Project

For more information on actions in relation to the “Negative impact of Lenzing and its value chain by contributing to climate change and consequential biodiversity loss”, please see the “Climate action plan” section in the “E1 Climate change” chapter.

1 Carle, J., and Holmgren, P. (2003). Working paper 79. Definitions Related to Planted Forests. In: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2003). Forest Resources Assessment Program Working paper series. Available at: https://www.fao.org/forestry-fao/25853-0d4f50dd8626f4bd6248009fc68f892fb.pdf