Kickstarting Biodiversity

Kickstarting Biodiversity

Kickstarting Biodiversity Program for Fashion & Apparel Companies

Biodiversity is now high on the political and business agenda. In December 2022, global leaders committed to halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 when adopting the Kunming-Montreal Agreement – the equivalent to climate’s 1.5C. The agreement makes it clear that businesses and financial institutions have a crucial role to play to achieve this goal. In the EU at the same time, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) came into force. The directive requires large or listed companies to disclose their dependencies, impacts, targets, policies and actions taken, covering areas such as climate, water, pollution, resource use – and biodiversity. The largest companies are required to report the first time for FY 2024 but listed SMEs and other companies will also be affected subsequently. Biodiversity is a material area for fashion and apparel companies as the industry is both dependent on and impacts biodiversity. It is therefore recommended to start preparing already now. In addition, industry stakeholders expect companies to take responsibility for their biodiversity impacts to demonstrate their accountability and leadership.

Program Objectives

The Sustainable Fashion Academy (SFA) and WWF hereby invite you to participate in a Kickstarting Biodiversity Program for Fashion and Apparel Companies. The program covers the first important steps for developing and implementing a biodiversity strategy and action plan.

More specifically, the purpose of the Kickstarting Biodiversity Program is to support fashion and apparel companies to:

Understand coming CSRD legislative demands in regards to Biodiversity and apparel.

Learn how to use the WWF Biodiversity Risk Filter to conduct a material assessment.

Learn how to frame biodiversity targets in the context of apparel and textiles. 

Provide an opportunity to discuss challenges and opportunities, and strategic next steps.

Program Format & Educational Methodology

To enable more flexibility for participants, the program is be held online. The content is be delivered in a variety of online formats, such as presentations, interactive discussions and breakout groups. Participants are given reading and assignments to complete in preparation for each session. A maximum of ten (10) companies are invited to participate per program, and the fee covers the participation of two persons per company.

Kazy Mohammad Iqbal Hossain, South Asia Regional Sustainability Manager, Lindex

“I recently participated in the Kickstarting Biodiversity training program organized by SFA and WWF. The experience was incredibly enriching, providing me with invaluable knowledge and insights into biodiversity. The sessions were engaging and well-structured, allowing for meaningful interaction and learning. I am grateful for the opportunity and feel more empowered to contribute to biodiversity initiatives in the future. Thank you, SFA and WWF, for this transformative experience.”

Program Fees​

The cost of the program is 20,000 SEK (excluding VAT), per company, which includes two places per company to attend.

Dates & Times

The Kickstarting Program will be offered again in spring 2025, session dates to be confirmed. In order to give participants sufficient time to learn how to apply the WWF Biodiversity Risk Filter Tool to their business, the program takes place over a number of weeks.

To express your interest, register for the spring program, or for more details, please contact Nina at nina@sustainablefashionacademy.org. Expression of interest is not binding. We will follow up with more detailed information to finalise your participation. When registering for a program, please refer to our Terms & Conditions.

Program

Session 1 - The Business of Biodiversity & Applying the WWF Risk Filter

Welcome & Introductions

Why Biodiversity?
– The global biodiversity challenge in the context of apparel and  textiles.
– Understanding the business case for biodiversity in apparel and textiles.
– Envisioning a successful biodiversity strategy, roadmap and action plan.

CSRD –  Biodiversity & Double Materiality – Assessing Risks & Impacts
– CSRD legislation requirements for biodiversity, apparel and fashion.

Introducing The WWF Biodiversity Risk Filter Tool
How can the WWF Biodiversity Risk Filter help companies identify material biodiversity impacts and dependencies as well as where to prioritize corporate action along their value chains?

Group Exercise – Case Study: Applying the WWF Biodiversity Risk Filter
Led by WWF, participants will apply the WWF Biodiversity Risk Filter tool on a fictive apparel and textile company. This will enable participants to understand how the tool can identify key biodiversity risks along the value chain.

Home Assignment: Applying the WWF Biodiversity Risk Filter To Your Company
Participating companies are asked to apply the WWF Biodiversity Risk Filter on their own companies. Insights and learnings regarding which biodiversity risks (and opportunities), will be shared during Session 3.

Session 2 - The Biodiversity Risk Filter - Technical Help Session (Optional)

During this special technical session, participants have an opportunity to ask technical questions and get more hands-on advice on how to use the WWF Biodiversity Risk Filter tool. Companies are encouraged to send in their questions in advance. This session is optional.

Session 3 - Applying the WWF Risk Filter & Target Setting

Welcome, Re-Introductions & Check-In

Sharing Insights & Learnings from Home Assignment
During this facilitated discussion, each company will share the key insights and learnings gained from working with the WWF Biodiversity Risk Filter tool. We will focus on which biodiversity risks and opportunities they have identified and where along their value chain.

Learning from the Pioneers: A CASE Study
A company representative from a pioneering fashion and or apparel company will present their approach to working with the WWF Biodiversity Risk Filter tool and biodiversity. Participants will be given an opportunity to ask questions and discuss the company’s approach.

Setting Biodiversity Targets
Here we will explain what are science-based targets for nature (SBNT) and how to use the results from the biodiversity risk assessment as the basis for setting biodiversity targets that are influenced by SBTN.

Home Assignment: Drafting Your Science-Influence Nature Target
Participating companies are assigned to draft biodiversity targets informed by the biodiversity risk assessment and prioritization, as well as influenced by SBTN.

Session 4: Target Setting Revisited & Strategic Next Steps

Welcome, Re-Introductions & Check-In

Target Setting: Sharing Insights & Learnings from Home Assignment
During this facilitated discussion, each company will share key insights and learnings regarding their biodiversity target assignment, as well as targets they are planning to set.

Learning from the Pioneers: A CASE Study
A company representative from a pioneering fashion and or apparel company will present their approach to working with target setting and biodiversity. Participants will be given an opportunity to ask questions and discuss the company’s approach.

What Have We Learned and What Should Be Our Next Steps?
During this facilitated discussion we will identify what participants have learned from the program and what challenges and opportunities they see ahead. We will present possible ways forward.

Program Partners

The Sustainable Fashion Academy
The Sustainable Fashion Academy (SFA) is a non-profit organization based in Stockholm, Sweden. SFA’s mission is to exponentially accelerate progress towards science-based sustainability targets and the global sustainability goals (SDGs) by leveraging the power and influence of the apparel and textiles industries. To achieve this, SFA initiates research and analysis to inform better decision-making, inspires and educates change agents, and mobilizes key stakeholders around issues needed to transform the industry, including policy, finance and accountability. www.sustainablefashionacademy.org

WWF
WWF’s mission is to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. As the WWF 2022 Living Planet Report demonstrates, the challenges that the global environment is facing today are too big, too interconnected, and too urgent for any one organization to solve alone. WWF believes that lasting conservation is achieved through collaboration with a range of actors, including governments, local communities and businesses. We seek to work with those who have the greatest potential to reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth and together find solutions to conservation challenges. Learn more about our work globally and in Sweden.

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