Biodiversity & ecosystems

Management approach

Manifold biodiversity and healthy ecosystems are essential to humanity
Climate change, pollution and transformation of land use are strongly linked to biodiversity
The World Economic Forum identifies biodiversity loss and natural resource crises as two of the top five existential threats to the economy, people, and planet in the long term
Global biodiversity loss has recently become the focus of the sustainability debate in many industries, including the textile and nonwoven sector
Requirements for measures to improve biodiversity will likely evolve in the development of the European Union Biodiversity Strategy
As wood is the most important raw material for Lenzing, the main potential negative impacts on biodiversity may arise from increased utilization of wood resources
Biodiversity can be impacted by textile and nonwoven products’ end-of-life due to non-degradable materials such as plastic leaking into the environment

The protection of biodiversity and ecosystems plays a crucial role in climate change mitigation
Maintaining and improving the function of forests in their ecosystems while ensuring the long-term availability of wood as a raw material
Cellulosic materials offer a biodegradable alternative to plastics, helping to reduce the impact of lost materials on ecosystems, water and soil

Loss of biodiversity in poorly managed forest ecosystems
The loss of biodiversity could also lead to a significant change in available wood species for fiber production
Worst case scenarios consider potential breakdowns of entire forest ecosystems at the regional level and correspondingly high volatility in wood prices

Lenzing addresses biodiversity preservation through one of two approaches, depending on the global region:
- Sustainable forest management is applied in the Northern hemisphere by Lenzing’s wood and pulp suppliers in Europe and North America
- Plantation forestry is conducted mainly in the Southern hemisphere by Lenzing’s pulp supplier in South Africa and by the new pulp plant in Brazil
Using wood from sustainably managed semi-natural forests supports biodiversity
When sourcing from plantations, considerable efforts are made to set aside conservation areas to protect and maintain biodiversity
By implementing circular thinking and high environmental standards in Lenzing’s operations, procurement and innovations, the company minimizes the impact on ecosystems
Lenzing has been working for many years with NGOs, customers and partners along the downstream value chain to raise public awareness of biodiversity and take active measures to preserve it

Contributing to the preservation of biodiversity and forest ecosystems
Ensuring that pulp and wood are not supplied from endangered forests and deforestation, in order to avoid biodiversity loss and other ecosystem impacts
Collaborating with stakeholders in the value chain and beyond in a systemic approach
Engaging with leading industry standards and guidelines (e.g. Textile Exchange, Science-Based Targets initiative)

The Lenzing Group has joined the Advisory Group of Textile Exchange Biodiversity Benchmark
Lenzing proactively participates in conservation projects to protect the world’s ecosystems
CDP forests, climate change, and water security: triple “A” rating
Lenzing achieves the highest Hot Button category, the dark green shirt, for the second time
Lenzing participates in the Circular Fashion Partnership
Biodegradability of LENZING™ fibers confirmed by renowned marine research institute at the University of California, San Diego – effective alternative against environmental pollution from plastic waste

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