Tree.ly & respACT: Driving corporate sustainability solutions in Austria
7/30/2024
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Rosanna Littooij
In an era where climate change and sustainability are at the forefront of global concerns, partnerships between innovative organizations are crucial for driving impactful change. Tree.ly, a pioneer in forest climate protection projects in Austria and Europe, has joined forces with respACT, Austria’s leading platform for corporate social responsibility and sustainable development. Together, we aim to raise awareness for local, high-impact solutions that promote sustainable business practices among Austrian companies. Join us for example during our webinar on Biodiversity on 22.08.2024 and stay tuned for more collaborative events.
As we embark on this exciting partnership with respACT, we interviewed Hannah Jennewein, Project Lead for Regionalization, about the important work she and respACT are doing to advance corporate sustainability efforts in Austria.
What are the values and mission pursued by respACT? "For over 25 years, respACT has been guiding Austrian companies on their journey towards sustainability, standing for knowledge transfer in all aspects of corporate sustainability. The focus is always on solving ecological, social, and economic challenges through entrepreneurial activities and strategically embedding sustainability into the core business. respACT thrives on a broad, cross-industry network of pioneering companies, as well as collaboration with other key stakeholders from science, administration, and civil society.”
Why is it important to unite under respACT? “The vision for responsible business thrives on a vibrant movement with many active people – including CEOs, sustainability managers, consultants, and interested employees from various departments across different companies and industries. They share their expertise, experience, and motivation, thus collectively contributing to the sustainable transformation of the Austrian economy.”
What is your perspective on the state of sustainability in Austria? “Our collaboration with member companies shows that many companies are already pursuing ambitious goals and implementing innovative solutions. However, measuring the "state of sustainability in Austria" is challenging. Looking at the current status of greenhouse gas emissions in Austria and our trajectory towards climate neutrality by 2040, things look promising (as of 2023: a 5.3% decrease compared to 2022)¹.
While climate neutrality is a central factor, sustainability encompasses much more than greenhouse gas emissions. This includes social aspects (keywords: diversity & inclusion, human rights along the supply chain), the state of nature (keyword: intact biodiversity as an economic basis), and material resource consumption (keyword: circular economy as a solution). Under the new EU regulations within the Green Deal, the scope of corporate sustainability (summarized in ESG) will be comprehensively anchored and made comparable for the first time. However, the state of sustainability is best reflected by the SDGs. The annual Sustainable Development Report for all countries shows that Austria still has room for improvement in 2023, despite the “overall performance” ranking 6th internationally².
What challenges does respACT face in promoting sustainability in Austria and how does the organization address them? “The challenges for companies are growing due to economic crises and regulatory requirements. Creating a good overview and providing the best possible support to companies while addressing diverse individual or industry-specific needs is not an easy task. We particularly notice that financial pressure, combined with high bureaucratic effort, drives or forces some companies to deprioritize sustainability. We try to counter this tendency with awareness-raising efforts and low-threshold offers. Our network, where companies can educate themselves and participate in events with inspiring impulses and best practice examples, provides a supportive platform.”
What advice would you give to companies just starting their sustainability journey? “Don’t be overwhelmed by the magnitude of the challenges and upcoming “construction sites.” Sustainable development is a long process but can be accomplished in many small steps. A crucial role is played by the commitment of corporate leadership and the strategic embedding of sustainability into the core business to achieve long-term effective and visible changes. To start, utilize the numerous support offers that networks (like respACT) and many other regional and thematic initiatives provide.”
What partnerships or collaborations does respACT engage in to advance sustainability goals? “Cooperation is at the core of respACT's daily work. As a non-profit association, we not only depend on support and collaboration with other stakeholders but also see this as a significant advantage. Through partnerships, we can pool resources, learn from each other, and reach more companies with our vision.
respACT has long-standing partnerships with the Federation of Austrian Industries and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber and maintains close communication with these interest groups to identify themes and interests that concern Austrian companies in the sustainability context. There are also funding agreements with individual ministries, creating synergies with governmental actors. Internationally, respACT is connected with long-standing partner organizations such as CSR Europe, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBSCD), and the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC).”
As the world edges closer to critical environmental tipping points, the collaboration between Tree.ly and respACT means the scaling of awareness for practical solutions that can be taken locally for businesses to solidify their commitment to sustainability. Companies interested in contributing to a greener future are encouraged to explore Tree.ly and respACT’s educational initiatives, for example the webinar on Biodiversity on 22.08.2024. Read more about Tree.ly’s work and find out how you and your team can make a tangible impact on climate protection, contributing to the health of European forests while advancing your corporate sustainability strategy.
¹Treibhausgas-Emissionen: Österreich weiter auf dem Zielpfad (bmk.gv.at)