MKB-ontbijt: Strategische partnerschappen in de waardeketen

MKB-ontbijt: Strategische partnerschappen in de waardeketen

MKB-ontbijt: Strategische partnerschappen in de waardeketen

Op donderdag 15 februari 2024 vond het derde MKB-ontbijt plaats. De MKB-ontbijtserie is in het leven geroepen om de specifieke kansen en uitdagingen op het gebied van duurzaamheid voor het MKB te bespreken. 

Dit keer stond de sessie in het teken van strategische partnerschappen. Een veelvoorkomende uitdaging voor het MKB is namelijk het vinden van geschikte partners in de waardeketen, het omgaan met verschillende doelstellingen en culturele verschillen. Er was een gevarieerde groep bedrijven aanwezig met lokale, Europese en internationale georiënteerde waardeketens.  

Harm Jansen, eigenaar van Kinti Coffee, trapte de sessie af met een presentatie over de duurzame partnerschappen binnen zijn bedrijf. Kinti Coffee levert duurzame koffie, voornamelijk aan kantoren. Omdat Kinti Coffee rechtstreeks bij de boer inkoopt in plaats van bij traders, hebben ze meer zicht op de waardeketen en kan het echt transparant zijn. Zo wil Kinti de standaarden in de koffie industrie veranderen en de verschuiving naar biologische koffieproductie in Colombia versnellen. Dat doen ze ook door de kennis over fairtrade produceren te vergroten, o.a. via trainingen met CLAC. Daarnaast benutten ze “koffieafval” door bijvoorbeeld houten planken te produceren van koffiebesjes, zoals te zien is in deze video van Woodpecker.

Volgens Harm zijn partnerschappen de levensader van zijn bedrijf, samen leren en groeien is cruciaal. Maar met wie ga je in zee? Kinti is kritisch als het gaat over het selecteren van partners, wat het proces soms ingewikkeld maakt. Het kost nou eenmaal tijd om bij lokale boeren het belang van duurzaamheid over te brengen. De andere deelnemers aan het ontbijt lieten weten dit probleem te herkennen, ook zij lopen tegen uitdagingen aan bij de transitie naar nieuwe, duurzamere partners. Vooral voor het MKB blijkft dit ingewikkeld en kostbaar te zijn, en dat is wellicht waar UN Global Compact een helpende rol kan spelen.

Essentieel bleek de rol van een gedreven voortrekker bij de partner die door Kinti voorzien werd van gedegen analyses en overtuigende informatie. Ook spelen cultuurverschillen een rol. Tot slot zijn administratie, subsidieprojecten en rapportage een enorme tijdsinvestering voor het MKB. Verschillende systemen en gebrek aan uniformiteit in documenten verhogen administratieve druk.  

CSRD en andere aankomende wetgeving zal zeker effect hebben op MKB-bedrijven en hun samenwerkingen met leveranciers. Omdat Kinti rechtstreeks inkoopt heeft het beter zicht op de waardeketen en kan het hier makkelijker op inspelen. Kinti probeert waar mogelijk de keten te verkorten, bijvoorbeeld door lokale producenten op te leiden tot koffiebranders. Samenwerking met conculega’s is vooral qua transparantie een uitdaging. Een mooi voorbeeld uit de transportsector is de samenwerking om containers te consolideren zodat er geen lucht verscheept hoeft te worden. Dat is een win-win-win: kostenbesparing voor zowel de klant als het bedrijf en winst voor de planeet.   

Ondanks dat iedereen het er over eens is dat je samen verder komt dan alleen, blijft samenwerken met conculega’s ingewikkeld. Dit is zeker het geval buiten Europa, waar partijen lang niet altijd alle informatie met elkaar willen uitwisselen. Dit kan ervoor zorgen dat potenties niet optimaal worden benut.

De ambitie voor de toekomst is om de duurzame impact geleidelijk aan te vergroten en zo stapsgewijs de transformatie op gang te brengen. We willen Harm en alle deelnemers bedanken voor het delen van hun tips en ervaringen. Heb je nog vragen voor Harm Jansen? Je kunt hem bereiken via email, harm.jansen@kinticoffee.nl.  

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Report on Human Rights Due Diligence in the Consumer Goods Industry

Report on Human Rights Due Diligence in the Consumer Goods Industry

BE human, be kind: human rights due diligence within the consumer goods industry

A report by the UN Global Compact Young Professionals Program

The Young Professionals Program team from the UN Global Compact, formed in January 2023, has released a comprehensive report outlining best practices for Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) within the Consumer Goods industry. The team, comprising of eight individuals from diverse professional fields, has devoted their expertise to elucidate and enhance the application of HRDD within the sector.

The objective of this initiative is to foster a more principled and ethical business environment, considering the complex nature of the global Consumer Goods industry, with its intricate and extensive value chains. Monitoring and resolving potential human rights violations across these chains are complex tasks that span multiple geographies and supplier tiers.

The report presents an analysis of various approaches towards HRDD from entities within the consumer goods industry, shedding light on the best practices adopted by these organizations. The guiding principles for this report are the United Nations Guiding Principles (UNGPs) on Business and Human Rights. The report showcases strategies that exceed mere compliance and contribute significantly to advancing this agenda globally.

The methodology uses six steps of HRDD, as defined by the OECD, providing a foundation for the analysis. These steps serve as an insightful guide, presenting exemplary practices implemented by consumer goods companies, therefore creating a robust blueprint for successful HRDD implementation.

On the 21st of February 2024, the report was officially released during a launch event with talks from Human Rights experts Jamie Holton and Thijs van Brussel.

Download the report
Watch the launch event

How to raise climate awareness in your organization

How to raise climate awareness in your organization

How to Raise climate awareness in your organization

In 2023, UN Global Compact Network Netherlands facilitated two Peer Learning Groups: one on Gender Equality and one on Climate Action. The goal is for the participating companies to learn more about these important topics, to dig into the challenges that they are facing, and to exchange best practices that can help overcome these challenges.

Raising climate awareness in your organization can be a challenge, especially considering the amount and complexity of knowledge that is available. How can you increase awareness in our organization? During the fifth and final session of the 2023 Climate Action Peer Learning Group at the Invest-NL HQ, thre professionals shared their perspective on different ways to make a case for climate change within the organization.

One possible approach is gamification. By applying game elements and principles to illustrate complex topics such as the causes and consequences of climate change, ‘players’ often experience enhanced engagement and motivation. An example of gamifying climate action is Climate FRESK. The game is simple and based on scientific knowledge. It comprises 42 cards and can be played with three groups of eight players each.

Another approach is to track your carbon footprint. During the Peer Learning Group session, Jo Hand from Giki Zero explained why tracking your carbon through helps to raise awareness. The platform is developed and based on scientific knowledge and includes 160 steps to build a sustainable lifestyle. It provides feedback, motivates colleagues to learn more about sustainability, and increases engagement with each other within the organization by addressing different personalities.

Being carbon literate is essential in combating climate change. Carbon literacy means “an awareness of the carbon costs and impacts of everyday activities and the ability and motivation to reduce emissions on an individual, community, and organizational basis.” Phil Korbel, from The Carbon Literacy Project, explained how to become carbon literate and emphasized that it is not enough to learn by oneself, but that you should be involved in peer-to-peer social learning. By learning from peers, you develop a sense of belonging, trust, and support, as well as gain recognition and appreciation for skills and contributions.

Lastly, Martine Kruiswijk, from KlimaatGesprekken, stressed the transition from awareness to action, since this is not always a given. Any behavioral process takes time, and it is vital to go through this process together by engaging with your colleagues and friends.

After these inspiring contributions of the speakers, the participants carried out a plenary discussion about how to use these methods within their own organization. Each participant created a five-step action plan and shared their outcomes with their peers in breakout rooms.

We’d like to grant a special thanks to the host of this session, Andrea Dijk, from Invest-NL. She has shared how Invest-NL is staying inspired to keep progressing on climate ambition. Increasing time investment between colleagues, benefiting the knowledge contribution from invited speakers, organizing impact challenges for teams, and informing everyone with an ESG & Impact newsletter can help organizations create internal motivation and awareness.

Recap Sustainable Textile peer learning sessions

Recap Sustainable Textile peer learning sessions

REcap sustainable textile peer learning sessions

The recently concluded peer learning sessions on Sustainable Textile proved to be a resounding success. Over the course of two sessions, participants active and involved in the textile industry (including retailers, manufacturers, and esteemed experts) engaged in vibrant discussions on the topics of sustainable textile and microplastics in textile. They exchanged valuable insights and committed to continue discussions and advance sustainability within the textile industry.

The peer learning sessions were organised by a team of young professionals who participate in the UN Global Compact NL’s Young Professionals Program (YPP). The sessions were attended by representatives from various companies and organisations, such as Hema, Zeeman, Fashion for Good, TU Delft, Goldbergh.

In the first session, on 26th of October 2023, Stijntje Jaspers, co-founder and Program Director of Fibershed Nederland, delivered an inspiring and thought-provoking discussion. Her presentation provided valuable insights on:

  • The human and environmental effects of unsustainable practices in the textile industry.
  • The need for producers and designers to think responsibly about the entire textile supply chain (fibre production, clothing production, consumer use and after use).
  • The importance of rethinking the fibre production process towards a BIO-circular economy (with renewable bio-based resources using regenerative agriculture).
  • The option of using sustainable fibre types such as plant-based cellulose or animal-based protein fibres.
  • The need for a comprehensive Product Environment Footprint (PEF).
  • The inspiring books and movies that could guide professionals in the transition to a sustainable textile industry.

Following the presentation, the participants discussed common myths and misconceptions in the sustainable textile industry relating to branding, microplastics, end-of-life & returns, and labour abuse. They also discussed options for shifting business and consumer mindsets (such as Impact-Weighted Accounts Framework, leasing clothes, investing in renewable products, not offering sales/free products etc.)

In the second session, on 14th of December 2023, the keynote speaker Jeroen Dagevos delivered an impactful discussion on microplastics in the textile industry, leaving a lasting impression on the attendees. Jeroen is the Head of Programs at Plastic Soup Foundation with extensive expertise on the topic of microplastics. His presentation provided valuable insights in:

  • The trend in textile material production for the near future if sustainable solutions are not implemented.
  • The possible solutions for consumers to decrease the release of microplastics during washing (e.g. Cora Ball & Guppy Friend).
  • The health effects of exposure to microplastics (on lungs).
  • The need for a system change through industry collaboration and influencing public opinion. – Active campaigns can guide consumer behaviour (Plastic Fashion Campaign).
  • Thinking of supply chain solutions can make the change faster, such as design for recycling, production with less microplastics, end of life solutions, financial incentives etc.

Following the presentation, attendees voiced their thoughts on how to tackle the problem of microplastics via legislation and consumer education.

In summary, there is definitely momentum for professionals in the textile industry to come together, collaborate and share knowledge within the sector. The peer learning sessions delivered impactful discussions. The expertise of the keynote speakers, their engaging presentation style, and their ability to connect with attendees contributed significantly to the overall success of the sessions.

The peer learning sessions on Sustainable Textile were organised as part of the Young Professionals Program of UN Global Compact NL. With more than 20,000 participating companies and 62 Local Networks covering 67 countries, the UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative. Through training, collaborative learning, networking opportunities and reporting, companies that join the UN Global Compact are supported to accelerate on their sustainability journey. Interested in joining the UN Global Compact? Reach out to Participant Engagement Officer, Linde Reus, at reus@unglobalcompact.nl

Participant survey 2023

Participant survey 2023

Thank you for filling in the Participant Survey 2023!

We are grateful for the valuable feedback we have received from our 36 respondents, which helps us to shape our programming in 2024 and beyond. Mostly larger companies (75%) completed the questionnaire. We are proud to see that 92% of the respondents would recommend UN Global Compact to others. Moreover, our events, Accelerators and The Academy are widely known, whereas participants appeared to be less familiar with our Peer Learning Groups. At the same time the unique opportunity of peer learning and the exchange of knowledge and best practices was often mentioned as the key value proposition of the UN Global Compact. Interested in joining a safe space for companies to share their best practices and challenges on a variety of sustainability topics? Click here! Furthermore, Gender Equality and Climate are the topics the respondents would value support on the most. Lastly, many respondents indicated their CEOs would like to be more involved. We will focus on organising high-level events to raise collective ambition.

Would you like to know more or ask any questions about the Participant Survey? Please get in touch with our Participant Engagement Officer Linde Reus at reus@unglobalcompact.nl 

 

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