Berlin/Hamburg, March 31, 2022 – World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF Germany) and the skin care company Beiersdorf are intensifying their cooperation and entering into a strategic partnership. The partnership, which will initially run for three years, not only focuses on the important issue of climate protection but also on the fields of regenerative water environments and fully circular resources, thereby contributing to a circular economy.
The nature conservation organization will advise Beiersdorf on the expansion of existing targets and the definition of additional ones, in order to strengthen the holistic approach to sustainability within the company:
WWF Germany is already advising Beiersdorf on its climate strategy since 2016 and has been closely involved in the development of the company’s science-based climate target for the Consumer Business Segment: reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1-3) by 30% in absolute terms by 2025. Beiersdorf describes the holistic approach to climate protection as its “Climate Care” mission. Furthermore, WWF Germany and Beiersdorf have already been working together in two projects dedicated to sustainable palm oil cultivation and local nature and species conservation in Malaysia and Indonesia.
“Companies play a crucial role in stopping the ongoing loss of biodiversity,” says Dr. Martin Bethke, Managing Director Markets and Companies at WWF Germany. “They have a direct impact on accelerating the transition to an economy that can function within the planetary boundaries. This includes driving transformation for a sustainable future in their operations and value chains, as well as in their market and regulatory environment. WWF is pleased to be doing this with Beiersdorf directly in the company and in the supply chain.”
Jean-François Pascal, Vice President Corporate Sustainability at Beiersdorf explains: “As a global skin care company we find it essential to contribute – not only for our consumers, but also for society and our environment. With our Sustainability Agenda CARE BEYOND SKIN we have set ourselves ambitious targets and are vigorously pursuing these. Through our partnership with WWF Germany and with their expertise and critical eye, we intend to further strengthen our sustainability approach in the areas of climate care and the responsible use of water and resources.”
As part of the transformative partnership, Beiersdorf aims to develop a science-based net zero target building on its already existing 1.5-degree compatible climate target. In addition to using renewable energy, the main measures for reducing greenhouse gas emissions include the reduction of emissions from the use of raw materials, the use of recycled materials for packaging as well as an increased sourcing of natural raw materials from sustainable sources. These comprehensive measures throughout the company’s entire value chain are a core component of Beiersdorf’s “Climate Care” mission.
Together with WWF, Beiersdorf will promote a science-based approach to the regenerative use of water in the supply chain. Additionally, common supply chain measures are designed to ensure the sourcing of deforestation-free and renewable resources directly at the beginning of the supply chain. The aim is to prevent the loss of biodiversity through deforestation and to prevent the conversion and destruction of natural ecosystems. This effort considers the company’s key agricultural raw materials: Palm oil, paper, soy and coconut.
In West Kalimantan, Indonesia, WWF and Beiersdorf have implemented a project with smallholder farmers in 2018. The project’s objectives are to prevent further deforestation, promote the sustainable cultivation of palm oil and to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and their families. The second project, which WWF and Beiersdorf are realizing together with Beiersdorf’s supplier Evonik since 2019, is located in the conservation area Tabin, Sabah, Malaysia. This nature reserve is a vital habitat for several rare and endangered species, such as orangutans, Borneo elephants and the Sunda Clouded leopard. The Tabin project entails three parallel approaches: Protecting existing forests and the species living there, promoting sustainable palm oil production in the adjacent plantations and restoring degraded land to create essential ecological corridors for local wildlife.
