April 2024 edit | Biodiversity and Business, CSDDD, and Modern Slavery Policy
Dear?ESGmark? community members and friends,
Now that the clocks have gone back an hour, we are looking forward to warming evenings, and dinners outside. The first quarter of 2024 has flown by, just like that! We hope you have great milestones to celebrate. Take this time to reflect on the winter and how far we have come since.
We?at ESGmark??have so much to be proud of: Our vibrant and ever-growing Community, and?some new content to share with you, referenced below.
As ever, we would love to hear from you. If you have any comments, ideas, or suggestions,?email us at?[email protected]?or click the link to get in touch.
Warmest wishes,
The ESGmark? Team
This month, we are delighted to welcome Ecoswap?to the?ESGmark??Community! Ecoswap is on a journey to disrupt the gift card market. They make sustainable gifting easy for everyone by only promoting?brands who are genuinely ethical and who bear reputable certifications such as the?ESGmark?.
“At Ecoswap, we empower businesses and consumers with sustainable gifting choices, shaping a brighter future. Join us in redefining gifting, one eco-friendly swap at a time.” - Antony Gutsa , Founder & CEO of ecoswap - gift better! .
We are thrilled to share that Rhiannon Thomas has joined the ESGmark? Advisory Board. For ESGmark?, oversight by our board of our activities and certification process is a critical pillar of?governance and ensures we provide the best possible service and resources for our Community. Rhiannon is an experienced communications professional years of experience in consulting on sustainability strategies for high-profile, international brands. We look forward to her passion and insight making our impact greater.
“When transparency and reinvention is the priority, I'm so proud to be working with the innovative team at ESGmark??who are committed to supporting positive business transformation on our journey to a better future.”??— Rhiannon Thomas , Director, Sun & Windrose Consulting
The ESGmark? Community boasts with talent and we are proud to share and celebrate the success of our Members. Below are just some of the great things Community Members achieved in the last month.
Tomorrow's Forests has won the 'Changing Attitudes' award at Confor Awards 2024?for their work on raising awareness of the vital role of forestry.
Green Glamour hosted a Pop-Up in John Lewis, Milton Keynes at the end of March. Revolutionising how we engage with fashion, a rental Pop-Up is a fantastic step for both the GreenGlamour Team, and the industry as a whole.
EKó BOTANICALS was invited by the Department of Business and Trade to exhibit their skincare formulas at Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna trade show.
Nazia Anwar , Founder of myPTA , is a finalist in the Athena Awards in the Rising Star Award category.
MGI Worldwide retains position as Top 20 Network in the IAB Global Rankings, reflecting?their continued commitment to their members' success.
Disruptor London has been selected as one of TechRound #Sustainability60 2024, ranking at 21 out of 60 among?entrepreneurs using tech to solve global climate issues.
This month we are highlighting our Community Member,?Ada Dakin. A slow fashion brand championing local artisans and prioritising environmental and social responsibility, Ada Dakin is also the winner of the Style category of the?ConsiderBeyond Global Conscious Brand Awards 2024.
Ada Dakin have just launched their?new line, Rituals, for the Spring Season 2024! SS24: Rituals is about empowering women, and creating?a sisterhood of superpowered women. Featuring hand-painted?floral prints, and the motifs of the quintessential rose?- the flower of England - the collection pays?tribute to English heritage. The team highlights the?transformative power of slow fashion?by weaving together ancient craftsmanship with a reverence for nature.
领英推荐
New Resource in your Members' Library: ESGmark? Modern Slavery Policy and Modern Slavery Statement Templates
Modern slavery is an umbrella term used to describe various forms of coerced and exploitative labour practices such as forced labour, human trafficking, debt bondage, child labour, sex trafficking, and forced marriage.
Modern Slavery in the contemporary labour market is more prevalent than most people think. Extensive and complex supply chains and?globalising economies increase the risk of vulnerable populations being exploited?and made to work under unfair conditions.
It is our shared responsibility as businesses to ensure that we do not engage or in any way facilitate Modern Slavery. Implementing a sound Modern Slavery Policy and publishing a Modern Slavery Statement are first steps to ensure this. The ESGmark? Team put together a compact template for both of these documents to help you do your part and comply with legislation as well as your social responsibility.
For more information on the difference between a Modern Slavery Statement and a Modern Slavery Policy, refer to the ESGmark? Quick Guide in your Members' Library, or to the preview here.
Supply Chain Due Diligence: What is the CSDDD and why is it important?
The more global and complex your supply chain is, the harder it is to ensure that no harm is done throughout your operations. In the past, companies with a sense of responsibility have been voluntarily vetting their supply chains for improper conduct.
Increasingly, we see legislation catching up and prescribing certain standards in ESG and due diligence. In March this year, the?European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) was approved by the council. The legislation is currently sitting with the Parliament for approval.
The CSDDD increases pressure to address environmental and human rights concerns in corporate operations extending to?subsidiaries and value chains. It proposes punitive measures in the instance of non-compliance. It impacts large organisations conducting business in the EU and should serve as a way of direction for all.
To learn more about what is expected of companies and what measures should be taken, read our blog on unpicking the legislation here.
Founders Q&A: In Good Company
Also on the blog this month is a new piece in our Founders' Q+A series. We were in conversation with Sarah Kingston , the Co-Founder and Chief Impact Officer of In Good Company , a female-led tech-for-good start-up on a mission to drive growth for small, ethical and sustainable businesses.?
ESGmark? Member and Partner In Good Company helps consumers find local businesses that do good for people and planet. Sarah talks about their founding purpose and the importance of vetting each business In Good Company features. The conversation addresses the challenges of starting up, the joys of working closely with another Co-Founder, and some advice for those looking. Read the full Q+A here.
ESGmark? Member Guest Blog on why businesses - big or small - should regard biodiversity as a personal cause.
In this Guest Blog, the Team at Tomorrow's Forests ?- a UK-based tree-planting company committed to creating?native, biodiverse forests in the UK - makes a solid case for biodiversity. Businesses developing Net-Zero strategies is a brilliant step but, as they argue, we are facing a crisis of biodiversity loss alongside climate change.
Biodiversity is threatened predominantly by habitat loss and deforestation?which are closely associated with business operations.
What are the risks to and responsibilities of the private sector when it comes to biodiversity? How can we start engaging with the topic in a productive manner? Find the answers here.
The 22nd of March marked World Water Day and May will see the 10th World Water Forum in Bali. Water and its governance is gaining importance in multilateral climate talks, and the private sector has a huge part to play in its responsible management globally. Business leaders and heads of companies of at least 10 employees can endorse the UN's CEO Water Mandate.
As an endorser of the CEO Water Mandate you will commit to taking action on water and thereby
Read more about what's expected of those endorsing the Mandate and how you can join the network?here.
Even smaller business can get involved - follow the link to learn about how the private sector can contribute to more sustainable and responsible water use globally.
ESGmark? is the community for people and organisations who care about the planet and society. To learn more about ESGmark? and how we can support your business, do not hesitate to contact us and visit our website below.