WWF launches a digital information hub for sustainable business solutions

The project seeks to inspire the corporate sector in Central and Eastern Europe with examples of science-based practices in favour of nature and business

Businesses are critical in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss. Publicly listed companies are responsible for roughly 40% of all climate-warming emissions¹. The food industry bears a particular responsibility as 22,900 of 42,100 threatened species are at risk of extinction due to agriculture and aquaculture activities² . Our finance sector has unwittingly bankrolled the destruction of the very natural systems it relies upon.

Yet the private sector can also become the driving force of the transition towards a net-zero and nature-positive economy.

To support business on this journey, WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) has created a digital information hub for sustainable business solutions in Central and Eastern Europe. The platform is called “The Future of Business'' and is freely-accessible for all interested parties: from corporate leaders, start-up innovators, elected officials, to sustainability and conservationists experts. It will provide the corporate sector with actionable insights on the latest credible sustainability practices relevant for selected industries.

Currently the hub has three different media: podcasts, videos and articles. The first season of "The Future of Business" podcast is supported by VELUX - the world's leading manufacturer of roof windows. In addition, the environmental organisation will develop sector-based events where knowledge and experience can be shared, as well as a virtual library with scientific reports and practical guidelines

“We have created “The Future of Business” with the purpose to examine what the future of our region could look like and how to shape it in favour of people and nature. Our goal is to ignite the vital conversation on the business case behind sustainability”, shares Peter Baráth, Regional Director of Marketing and Partnerships at WWF-CEE. “It is designed for passionate change-makers who want to generate a positive impact for both the business sector and the planet”.

To start with, the platform will unfold five themes: climate leadership, water and forest stewardship, finance and food systems. The first episode of the podcast, “1.5°C Emission Possible: How businesses can drive the transition towards a net-zero economy,” focuses on corporate climate leadership and is already available on the digital information hub, as well as on Google and Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Participants in the conversation include:

• Irene Lucius - a WWF nature conservation scientist with 30+ years of experience;
• Lubomila Jordanova - the creator of an award winning science and a AI-driven platform for decarbonization called Plan A;
• Adam Ambrozik - a corporate sector representative, the Senior Public Affairs Manager at VELUX.

“Businesses should understand that sustainability is not a side activity. Rather it's something that needs to be deeply embedded into all different aspects of its existence. Sustainability is not only related to the environmental side of the topic, but also to the survival and longevity of a business”, shares Lubomila Jordanova, Founder & CEO of Plan A. “Investors are progressively looking into ESG factors. There's a lot of evidence showing that companies that are aligned on these criteria have more capacity to respond to shocks. Our current reality is one crisis after another, and this has become a key criteria for defining where you put your money.”

“The building sector is responsible for 37% of global CO2 emissions. This shows without doubt that urgent action is needed. We need to decarbonize the sector and deliver sustainable, healthy and affordable buildings to meet the Paris Agreement”, says Adam Ambrozik, Senior Manager Public Affairs at VELUX, CEE Region. “VELUX is a part of this transformation. Our sustainable strategy covers all aspects of our business, including our value chain. We believe that with this kind of comprehensive approach, we really can reduce our emissions efficiently and contribute to fulfilling the Paris agreement”.

“All businesses are strongly incentivised to do their utmost to cut emissions within their own operations and in their supply chain. Companies invest in ecosystems health, communities drive innovation and nature is finally being seen as an essential element in this equation. That is how I would like to imagine the future of business in our region and beyond”, shares Irene Lucius, Regional Conservation Director, at WWF Central and Eastern Europe.

 “The Future of Business” project is a sub activity within the WWF-VELUX partnership aiming to inspire business in Central and Eastern Europe to act for the planet.  In September 2020, WWF and the VELUX Group launched an ambitious twenty-year partnership, committing the company to take responsibility for both its past and future emissions. The innovative collaboration focuses on the conservation and restoration of forests through a number of projects around the globe. Simultaneously, the partnership aims to enhance biodiversity and improve the livelihood of local communities.

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Contact details: Péter Baráth, Regional Director of Marketing and Partnerships, pbarath@wwfcee.org, +36 70 9538035

Sources of information: ‍

1.   Insights 6: Listed Company Emissions, Generation Investment Management, 2021

2.   IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: https://www.iucnredlist.org/#

About WWF

WWF is one of the world’s largest and most experienced independent conservation organisations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

As a member of the WWF global network, WWF-CEE exists to promote WWF’s mission across seven countries of Central and South-eastern Europe and the Danube and Carpathian ecoregions. Member organisations include WWF-Ukraine as well as WWF-Bulgaria, WWF-Hungary, WWF-Romania and WWF-Slovakia. www.wwfcee.org

About the VELUX Group

For almost 80 years, The VELUX Group has created better living environments for people around the world; making the most of daylight and fresh air through the roof. Our product programme includes roof windows and modular skylights, decorative blinds, sun screening products and roller shutters, as well as installation and smart home solutions. These products help to ensure a healthy and sustainable indoor climate, for work and learning, for play and pleasure. We work globally – with sales and manufacturing operations in more than 40 countries and around 11,500 employees worldwide. The VELUX Group is owned by VKR Holding A/S, a limited company wholly owned by non-profit, charitable foundations (THE VELUX FOUNDATIONS) and family. In 2019, VKR Holding had total revenue of EUR 2.9 billion and THE VELUX FOUNDATIONS donated EUR 178 million in charitable grants. For more information, visit www.velux.com.

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Check out our podcast episode dedicated to corporate climate leadership - “1.5°C Emission Possible: how companies can drive the transition to a net-zero economy"

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