NWG // SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
Targets related to water and marine resources To ensure a long-term reduction in its impact on water resources and marine environments, New Wave Group has established the following goals:
1. Stricter Standards. Develop more rigorous requirements for water usage and wastewater management throughout the value chain, including enhanced environmental risk assessments and measures in the supply chain under the framework of amfori BEPI.
2. Increase the amount of more sustainable products. Gradually increase the share of products with sustainability attributes, such as solution-dyed polyester, to reduce water usage and chemical emissions, read more on page 72.
3. Measurable progress. Establish clear key performance indicators and regularly measure water impact to ensure goals are met and identify further opportunities for improvement.
Biodiversity and ecosystems Material impacts, risks and opportunities New Wave Group’ s operations affect biodiversity, primarily through direct impacts such as climate change, changes in land and water usage at production facilities( suppliers), and pollution. The textile value chain has a particular environmental impact through activities such as raw material production, yarn production, and transportation, both upstream and downstream.
These factors can lead to negative consequences for species diversity and conditions, degraded ecosystems, and the loss of ecosystem services vital to both communities and businesses. At the same time, this presents an opportunity for New Wave Group to contribute to protecting and strengthening ecosystems through innovation and proactive efforts, creating long-term value for all stakeholders.
Policies and guidelines related to biodiversity and ecosystems As part of its overarching climate change mitigation strategy, New Wave Group’ s CSR and environmental policy highlight biodiversity as a central issue strongly linked to the textile value chain. The policy emphasizes the importance of preserving ecosystem health through responsible choices at every stage of production.
Biodiversity is indirectly addressed in New Wave Group ' s restricted substance list and the Codes of Conduct for amfori BSCI and BEPI applied in the supply chain.
Actions and resources related to biodiversity and ecosystems New Wave Group’ s impact on biodiversity is closely linked to key issues such as climate change, pollution, and water usage. Therefore, measures and resources addressing these challenges are integrated into the overall sustainability strategy.
# Climate change. Reducing climate impact by increasing energy efficiency, using renewable energy sources, and lowering emissions from transportation and production( see page 70-72 for details).
# Pollution. Proactively managing chemical usage to minimize the release of hazardous substances into nature( see page 74 for details).
# Water usage. Optimizing water consumption through innovative techniques and responsible supplier choices.
The company continues to explore new solutions and partnerships to further reduce its impact on biodiversity. Future actions include strengthening biodiversity requirements in supplier codes of conduct, increasing the use of certified sustainable materials like organic cotton and recycled textiles, and collaborating with external experts and research institutes to evaluate and enhance ecosystems in operational areas.
Circular economy Material impacts, risks and opportunities The transition to a circular economy holds significant potential to reduce resource usage and limit climate and environmental impacts. New circular business models, such as product rental or incentives for customers to repair and reuse, open up new opportunities. At the same time, this transition may pose risks associated with product offerings and company reputation if the company fails to keep pace with the changes, see more under climate-related risks on page 69.
Resource inflows primarily include materials for contracted manufacturing units and packaging materials like cardboard and plastic. Textile materials in cotton and polyester stands for the largest share. The main resource outflows are apparel and textiles.
Considering waste, within the company’ s own facilities, most waste comprises cardboard and plastic from warehouses. Further, waste is also generated downstream in the value chain after the user phase of the products.
Although the collection and recycling of textiles have increased and are expected to continue growing, significant societal challenges remain in sorting and handling textile waste effectively. This is due to material blends and the lack of advanced technical infrastructure.
By actively educating consumers about sustainability and responsible consumption, the company can encourage a more conscious purchasing process, where customers choose products based on values beyond price and style. This approach can create a more informed and engaged customer base, supporting the company ' s sustainability goals.
ANNUAL REPORT // 075