Lenzing’s Sustainability Actions Awarded Double A Status by CDP
In its first year disclosing to the CDP’s annual Climate Change Report, the fiber maker earned ‘A’ scores for its global climate and forests stewardship.
Lenzing Group has been awarded a Double A rating for its corporate sustainability efforts in the areas of global climate and forests stewardship as part of the CDP’s 2020 Climate Change Report.
CDP is a global nonprofit organization that urges companies to share their environmental data. Its scoring drives corporate transparency and helps to guide, incentivize and assess environmental action in the areas of how they undertake climate change, protect forests and safeguard water security. In 2020, more than 9,600 companies disclosed through CDP—14 percent more than 2019, and 70 percent more than when the Paris Agreement was signed. According to CDP, disclosing companies represent more than 50 percent of global market capitalization.
“This Double A scoring reconfirms our long-term sustainability strategy and is an exciting acknowledgement of our efforts on transparency as well as sustainable raw material sourcing,” said Stefan Doboczky, CEO of the Lenzing Group.
Last year was the first time Lenzing shared data with CDP.
“Having our sustainability actions acknowledged and awarded is incredibly gratifying,” said Tricia Carey, Lenzing’s director of global business development – apparel. “The fight against climate change is one of Lenzing’s top priorities, and it is especially encouraging to see some of our brand partners—including HanesBrands, H&M and Levi Strauss & Co.—on the CDP’s Climate A List alongside us. The apparel industry has a significant environmental impact, accounting for between 4 percent and 10 percent of total global greenhouse gas emissions. We hope to see more of our industry partners working diligently and transparently toward responsible production in the near future.”
HanesBrands received its first ‘A List’ score in the CDP 2020 Climate Change Report, becoming one of four apparel manufacturers on the 270-member A List.
“As a company that helps clothe the world, HanesBrands is committed to being a more sustainable company—and a catalyst for our industry to move to a more circular model. But we can’t do it alone, and that is why we partner with recognized leaders,” HanesBrands said in a statement. “Lenzing’s business practices address sustainability and environmental challenges and prioritize circularity, which allow the company to offer innovative, sustainable products. Doing business the right way and with the right partners is essential to our mission to make the world a more comfortable place.”
Lenzing, a maker of cellulosic fiber, has been a leader in the fight against climate change.
In 2018, Lenzing became the first wood-based fiber manufacturer to join the UN Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action and adopt science-based targets. Lenzing recently pledged to halve specific carbon emissions by 2030 and to be fully carbon neutral by 2050.
To reach its carbon neutrality goal, Lenzing has introduced a series of innovations, including True Carbon Zero TENCEL™ branded fibers and certified CarbonNeutral® fibers, which are based on reduction, engagement and offset. The fiber maker has also developed pioneering innovation such as REFIBRA™ Technology, which contributes to a circular economy by combining the environmentally responsible lyocell fiber production with upcycled cotton waste materials.
2020 also saw the debut of TextileGenesis™, a blockchain-enabled traceability platform that will ensure complete traceability for all TENCEL™ branded fibers in finished garments, representing a landmark achievement for the industry’s journey toward complete sustainability.
The company has also completed the implementation of CO2-reducing energy solutions at two of its production sites.
“These milestones are an integral part of Lenzing’s sustainability strategy since they help to combat climate change and trigger a new level of transparency along the entire value chain,” Carey said.
Looking to the future, Lenzing is building two new facilities: a pulp plant in Brazil that will export green energy to the local power grid and a state-of-the-art carbon-neutral lyocell fiber production site in Thailand. The factories will be the major contributors to driving down Lenzing’s carbon footprint in the coming 18 months.
The CDP’s A grade for Lenzing’s forests stewardship places it in the company of only 15 other firms to earn the recognition.
As part of its “Naturally Positive” sustainability strategy, Lenzing launched a reforestation project in Albania in 2020. As a best practice example, 20 hectares of degenerated land will be recultivated with forest and fruit trees in cooperation with the local population and various NGOs. So far, approximately 3,600 fruit, deciduous and conifer trees have been planted in an area affected by erosion and flooding.