Valentin Weigel’s Post

"Greenwashing" in South Asia: A Challenge and Lessons from the EU Greenwashing—the practice of making misleading claims about environmental efforts—is alarmingly prevalent in South Asian industries. This involves portraying an exaggerated commitment to reducing environmental impact, often deceiving consumers and stakeholders. To combat this, the European Union has introduced the Green Claims Directive, which aims to ban false and unsubstantiated environmental claims. Key highlights include: - Prohibiting the display of sustainability labels that are not certified by a recognized system or established by public authorities. - Restricting environmental claims that apply only to a specific aspect of a product or activity but are presented as a whole. - Ensuring transparency in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions claims, particularly in setting appropriate Science-Based Targets (SBTIs), avoiding data omission, and maintaining transparency. The directive also revises product labeling rules, requiring terms like "eco-friendly," "animal-friendly," or "biodegradable" to be supported by credible evidence. South Asian industries must take note: as global markets demand greater accountability, aligning with such robust frameworks is not just ethical—it’s essential for long-term growth and credibility. #Greenwashing #Sustainability #EU

🌍 The Sustainable Commodities and Land Use Forum 2024 organised by Innovation Forum, and which ended yesterday, gathered companies, civil society, and government representatives in Amsterdam for a two-day event, with discussions covering various topics, including the challenging preparations for the EU Deforestation Regulation implementation. Our colleague, Joana Faggin, from our Deforestation-free Supply Chains team, attended the first day of the event and shared a key takeaway: while the EUDR is seen by many as both an opportunity and a source of frustration, it raises an important question: “Is the EUDR an 'opportunity to be frustrated,' or is it already a 'frustrated opportunity'?” Joana emphasised that strengthening transparency is crucial to address the challenges in commodity production and trade and to improve accountability. Collecting quality evidence that demonstrates real impacts on the ground and guides effective mitigation strategies requires collaboration and open dialogue with local organisations, companies, governments, and communities. Right now, while some companies are diligently preparing for the EUDR and express disappointment over the proposed postponement of its application, many are still focusing on the risks to their business-as-usual approach instead of taking proactive measures to ensure their supply chains are free of deforestation, illegal practices, and human rights violations. AidEnvironment remains committed to promoting transparency and fostering collaboration to build more sustainable supply chains. 💡🌿 #Sustainability #EUDR #SupplyChains #DeforestationFree #AidEnvironment

We’re excited to announce that we are fully prepared to comply with the European Deforestation Regulation (EU) 2023/1115.   What is the Eu DR? It was due to come into effect at the end of 2024, but has now been deferred until late 2025. This regulation aims to reduce global deforestation & forest degradation by:  🌿 Lowering greenhouse gas emissions 🦋 Protecting biodiversity 👥 Upholding human rights (particularly of indigenous peoples)   What does it mean for us as an organisation? As a supplier of sealing components manufactured using natural rubber (one of the regulated commodities) we’ve conducted thorough due diligence across our entire supply chain.   We’re proud to confirm that our products will be fully compliant by 1st January 2025, ensuring:  ✅ Deforestation-free production ✅ Adherence to the relevant country’s legislation ✅ Minimal risk of non-compliance through detailed reporting   At Ceetak, sustainability is at the core of our values. This regulation aligns perfectly with our ESG goals of reducing GHG emissions, promoting sustainable, deforestation-free supply chains and protecting human rights.   We’re proud to offer EU-compliant rubber sealing solutions that support a greener, more sustainable future 🌿 #ESG #EUDeforestationRegulation #Sustainability #SupplyChain

🌿 EUDR: How EU Regulation is Redefining Global Supply Chains The European Union has taken a bold step in combating global deforestation. The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) promises to fundamentally transform the way we do business internationally. As professionals in business, sustainability, or public policy, we need to understand the implications of this revolutionary initiative: • How will EUDR affect global supply chains? • What challenges and opportunities does it bring for companies? • What are the geopolitical and economic implications? We've analyzed this innovative regulation in detail, exploring: ✅ Key mechanisms of EUDR ✅ Impact on various industry sectors ✅ International perspectives, including the stance of the US and China ✅ Implementation challenges and potential solutions Whether you work in international trade, corporate sustainability, or product development, this article provides you with essential insights to navigate the new landscape created by EUDR. Read the full analysis here: https://lnkd.in/dsJG_qWD Let's discuss: How do you see EUDR impacting your industry? What opportunities or challenges do you anticipate? #EUDR #BusinessSustainability #InternationalTrade #SupplyChains #EUPolicies

📢 The EU Commission strengthens support for EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) implementation and proposes extra 12 months of phasing-in time, responding to calls by global partners. It still needs to be approved by the EU Parliament and Council, but in case that is done, the EUDR will be applicable to large companies as of 30 December 2025. The new timeline would give enough time for companies to adequately prepare for the new obligations and adjust the EUDR requirements with other sustainability regulations along the supply chain. #eudr #deforestation #supplychain Federico Merlo Anna Ritthaler Oliver Hulliger Craig Stevenson

🌍 The EUDR is Not the First, But It’s Making a Big Impact 🌍   As sustainability and deforestation concerns continue to dominate global conversations, many wonder why the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is being (and should be) taken seriously by industries like cocoa, coffee, and palm oil. Afterall, this isn’t the first regulation aimed at curbing deforestation. 🌱   Previous initiatives like the Lacey Act, EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), and various sustainability certifications (Rainforest Alliance, RSPO) have set the groundwork, but EUDR is different—and here’s why it’s a game-changer:   🔒 Legally Binding, With Teeth   Unlike earlier voluntary schemes, the EUDR is mandatory for all companies selling key commodities in the EU. Non-compliance comes with steep penalties: severe fines, product bans, and exclusion from the lucrative EU market. The fear of monetary loss and reputational damage is real. 🌍   📍 Geolocation Data and Transparency   One of the most impactful innovations? EUDR requires companies to provide geolocation data, proving that their commodities are deforestation-free. It forces transparency and traceability in a way past regulations never did, making it harder to disguise unsustainable practices (i.e. greenwashing). 🌳   🇪🇺 Global Market Impact   Let’s not forget—the EU is a massive market. Losing access is not an option for most companies. The reach of EUDR extends well beyond European borders, affecting global supply chains. Companies are racing to comply, and for good reason.   EUDR is setting a new standard—one that’s reshaping how we view sustainability in supply chains. 🌍 The risks of non-compliance are too high to ignore, and the industry is stepping up.   At Agridence, we’re helping companies navigate this new era of supply chain transparency and stay ahead in a world where sustainability is no longer optional—it’s essential for success. 🌱     #Sustainability #EUDR #DeforestationFree #SupplyChainTransparency #Agtech #SustainableBusiness #CarbonFootprint World Economic Forum World Cocoa Foundation European Cocoa Association Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber Cocoa Association of Asia

🌿 How are companies adapting to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)? Find out from Ian Suwarganda, our Director - Sustainable Supply and Production, at the Innovation Forum’s Sustainable Commodities and Land Use Forum in Amsterdam, 22 - 23 October 2024. Catch Ian’s session, “EU Deforestation Regulation: Can it be implemented on time in full?”, on 22 October 2024 at 11:10 am CEST, where he’ll join other industry experts to discuss how the EUDR is reshaping commodity markets and supply chains, and how GAR is preparing for the future 👇 To learn more about how we’re meeting #EUDR requirements, visit https://bit.ly/4gXxJWI.

Effective regulation drives businesses to prioritize long-term environmental goals and their dependence on natural capital over short-term profits. It helps shift the dial on how the market incentivises and enables damage to our climate and environment. From the most sustainably minded companies to those just beginning their sustainability journeys, advancing business sustainability practices will always face significant challenges if the market continues to undermine these efforts. This is where robust regulation steps in—it’s not just about compliance; it’s about empowering companies to thrive sustainably and transparently within our planetary boundaries, to understand the impact of what and how we produce, and to transform accordingly. At LandGriffon, we help turn regulatory demands into actionable strategies. Our service enables businesses to measure, analyze, and develop solutions for their environmental impacts, focusing on critical areas such as deforestation, carbon emissions, biodiversity loss, and water use. By aligning with standards like the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and the EUDR, we equip companies to set and achieve science-based targets for nature in line with Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) and Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). We have the science. We have the data. We have the capabilities. We need the political will to ensure the much-needed, urgent action.

As a newbie from payment world to Agri-commodity world, I step into learning the complexity of Agricommodity along with tight timeline from EUDR deadline to an extremely complex system. Climate change/deforestation are now super obvious as you can clearly see impact to our world today. As a mom, I hope to keep as much of the beauty of nature for my kid to see for years to come. EUDR regulation is meant to solve part of that problem. But changes are always hard and confusing. Agridence strives to help companies to navigate and work alongside to solve for global issue of climate change, deforestation yet at the same time helping companies through these challenging time of change. #agridence #sustainable #eudrcompliance

Many companies lobby against stricter regulations. Some companies do the opposite. 😄 Ecosia, Natura, Oatly, Patagonia, Tony's Chocolonely, and Triodos Bank have written to the European Commission's president, Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, urging her to uphold and strengthen the EU’s ambitions in supporting responsible businesses and achieving our collective environmental and social targets. 🟢 Ambitious regulation frameworks 🟢 A European green industrial deal with circularity at its heart 🟢 Effective implementation of the Environmental Crime Directive 🟢 Promotion of sustainable food systems 🟢 Strengthening Corporate Due Diligence and addressing forced labour As we have seen in recent months, many companies have reaffirmed their pledges and intentions to engage in more sustainable behaviour (see, for instance, this Financial Times article: 👉 https://lnkd.in/eSz5d6rF). There is a reason for that: it is more profitable not to do the 'good' thing. Therefore, we need regulation (and, of course, some ethical discussions with companies). 🗨️ "𝙸𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝚍𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗, 𝙴𝚞𝚛𝚘𝚙𝚎’𝚜 𝚙𝚎𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚋𝚎 𝚍𝚎𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚋𝚢 𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚊𝚋𝚒𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚕𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚕𝚒𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚗𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚌𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚎𝚜. 𝚆𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚘𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘 𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙴𝚞𝚛𝚘𝚙𝚎𝚊𝚗 𝚄𝚗𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚒𝚗 𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊 𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚒𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚘𝚖𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚋𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚏𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚝𝚑 𝚙𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚎𝚝. 𝚃𝚘 𝚊𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚎𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜, 𝚙𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝 𝚘𝚗 𝚞𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚗𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚊𝚍𝚟𝚘𝚌𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚙𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚋𝚕𝚎 𝚋𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚙𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚊𝚖𝚋𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚐𝚞𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚘 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚞𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚊 𝚏𝚊𝚒𝚛𝚎𝚛, 𝚜𝚊𝚏𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚌𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚗𝚎𝚛 𝚏𝚞𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎." See the letter here 👇 https://lnkd.in/ezdnZMT2