Brussels, 23 May 2017. The Business Environmental Performance Initiative (BEPI), a business-driven initiative supporting supply chain environmental performance improvements globally, announces today a new partnership with myclimate Foundation -a Swiss initiative working for effective climate protection- aimed to further support its participating companies in their efforts to measure and mitigate carbon emissions in their supply chain. 

This collaboration, built on a common understanding of the importance of addressing climate change in global supply chains and the essential role of businesses in this endeavour, will bring both organisations to work together on several areas:

·         Development of practical tools – myclimate Foundation will support the development of a Carbon Calculator. This tool will be integrated in the BEPI platform to enable companies participating in BEPI to measure in an effective and easy way the carbon emissions of their supply chain.

·         Capacity building – both initiatives will identify opportunities to develop joint capacity building activities for BEPI participants and producers to raise awareness around climate change and CO2 management.

·         Offsetting emissions – myclimate will help to offset the carbon footprint of the Unleash Opportunity conference, the annual trade and sustainability event hosted on 15 June in Brussels by BEPI’s founding organisation, the Foreign Trade Association.

·         Mutual support – working with the shared objective of supporting supply chains to mitigate adverse environmental impacts, both organisations will support each other in the important goal of promoting climate protection and environmental improvement.

“By capitalising on the expertise and common objectives of both initiatives, this collaboration will empower BEPI companies to efficiently manage and address scope 3 emissions, which are by far the largest component of a business’ carbon footprint, and therefore one of the biggest challenges. Pressure on businesses to contribute to achieving global commitments such as the Paris Agreement is high and this partnership will provide companies with the appropriate tools to lead change”, stated Darrell Doren, FTA Senior Director Sustainability. 

As part of this partnership, myclimate Foundation will also become a BEPI recognised carbon & climate change consultant and both initiatives will keep exploring further opportunities to continue this collaboration in the future.

“Smart supply chain management is undisputedly a key success factor for businesses. It can become also a powerful amplifier for global climate protection efforts. myclimate has a long track record in consulting, creation of tools for measurement and analysis and capacity building. Partnering with BEPI connects us with leaders of today and tomorrow giving us the opportunity to support them and leverage their impact on climate protection. We are curious to explore together existing, “low-hanging” as well as future opportunities with huge impact for climate and economy”, said myclimate CEO, René Estermann.

**ENDS**
 

For further information, please contact:

Ana María Martín
FTA Media Relations and Editorial Planning Coordinator
ana.maria.martin@fta-intl.org
Tel: +32 (0)2 739 48 22

About FTA: The Foreign Trade Association (FTA) is the leading business association for global commerce that promotes the values of international trade and sustainable supply chains. FTA represents 1,900+ retailers, importers, brands and national associations to promote and defend international trade and supports their business by providing information and practical solutions towards sustainability in the global supply chain. The association provides the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) to support participants to improve working conditions in factories and farms worldwide. It also provides the Business Environmental Performance Initiative (BEPI) to facilitate improved environmental performance in global supply chains.