Austrian State Forest (Österreichische Bundesforste, ÖBf)
One important wood supplier to the Lenzing site (Austria), is the state forest company Österreichische Bundesforste (ÖBf AG, Austrian Federal Forests). Managing 10 percent of the national territory and 15 percent of Austria’s woodland, ÖBf is the largest ecosystem manager, forest managing company and owner of hunting and fishing licenses. Sustainability forms the guiding principle for all ÖBf activities. The Lenzing site pulp mill obtains more than 35 percent of its wood from Austrian forests, the state of Austria’s forests is especially important for its sourcing situation. In Austria, forest biodiversity is monitored regularly according to a Biodiversity Index1. Recent outcomes are reported in the “Indicators of sustainable forest management 2020”2 from the multi-stakeholder organization “Walddialog”, as a contribution to the Forest Europe indicators and targets process. The ÖBf team for ecological landscape management is developing individual nature conservation plans for each of the 120 ÖBf-forest units, in addition to the existing forest management plans3. These include specific measures to protect endangered species and increase biodiversity under local conditions, which are integrated into daily forest management work. Furthermore, ÖBf is cooperating with the NGO umbrella organization Umweltdachverband.
Textile Exchange (TE) Biodiversity Benchmark
Textile Exchange Biodiversity Benchmark was launched on December 2, 2020. The benchmark is part of the TE Corporate Fiber and Materials Benchmark (CFMB) Program and is connected to TE’s “Climate+” strategy. The role of the benchmark is to address biodiversity loss and support improvements in the industry’s sphere of influence through knowledge-sharing. The methodology for companies to set targets for nature is being developed through the Science-Based Targets Network (SBTN).
In 2021, Lenzing contributed as a member of the advisory group, providing input to the tool development and its own input to the benchmark. The “Biodiversity Insights Report 2021” provides “a first global baseline for the apparel and textile industry” regarding the awareness of its impacts on biodiversity. It describes approaches to actions in business integration, transparency, materiality, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, as well as corporate reporting. In 2022, the findings of the Insights Report were integrated as a new chapter of questions into the CFMB program.
Inspiring Cooperation Empowering People (ICEP)
Inspiring Cooperation Empowering People (ICEP) is an independent Austrian development organisation with a business-oriented focus. ICEP works with partner organisations in emerging markets and with Austrian companies and implements projects worldwide with the aim of getting more people actively involved in economic life.
ICEP supports Lenzing since 2018 in the implementation of ADA co-financed afforestation and conservation project in Albania.
Wood K plus
Many Austrian companies, including Lenzing, and scientific bodies have joined forces in the “Kompetenzzentrum Holz”. It is a leading research institute in wood and wood-related renewable resources in Europe. Recent topics addressed by the competence center include advanced biomass utilization (e.g. via closing loops in pulp production), lignin and hemicellulose utilization, or the use of enzymes in the production process. One workstream of Wood K plus for Lenzing is sustainability in wood sourcing. In 2021, the focus shifted to biodiversity, including support for the work for the Textile Exchange Biodiversity Benchmark.
CARBON DISCLOSURE PROJECT (CDP)
The Lenzing Group contributed to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), a non-profit organization, in the areas of Climate Change, Forest and Water Security in 2022. Lenzing is one of 12 companies worldwide that were recognized with an outstanding triple “A”, which is the highest ranking possible, for environmental leadership in climate change, forests and water security. Only 25 companies worldwide have an “A” rating for forests. Through its significant demonstrable actions in these areas, Lenzing has taken a leading position on corporate environmental ambition, action, and transparency. The CDP forest score confirms that the production of Lenzing’s derived raw material wood cellulose fibers avoid contributing to deforestation, by combining a stringent wood sourcing policy, forest certification, and dedicated commitment to the CanopyStyle Initiative.
1 Geburek, T., Büchsenmeister, R., Englisch, M., Frank, G., Hauk, E., Konrad, H., Liebmann, S., Neumann, M., Starlinger, F. and Steiner, H. (2015). Biodiversitätsindex Wald – Einer für alle! In: Biodiversität im Wald. BFW Praxisinformation 37, pp. 6-8
2 https://info.bmlrt.gv.at/themen/wald/walddialog/dokumente/indikatorenbericht-2020.html