Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Model

Triple Bottom Line Model

When we talk about responsibility at Brav, we talk about the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) model. Brav is committed to taking responsibility for its business activities and is engaged in making a positive contribution to the environment, for our consumers and for society as a whole. Our ambition is to act responsibly and to be at the forefront of selected areas in sustainable business practices.

ESG in business context

In a business context, this is about how our offering of products and services impacts the environment and the societies where we operate. How we manage risk in our operations to reduce negative impact and comply with laws and regulations, while at the same time creating financially sustainable growth. The Brav ESG model illustrates the main aspects of how we work with responsibility in Brav.

To understand the major improvement areas we conducted a Materiality analysis in 2021. This creates the fundamental basis for our goals and Sustainability Roadmap.

Brav also conducted a Carbon Footprint Accounting/LCA for 2021 and 2022.

This work is the output for the starting point of measurable reductions/Science Based Targets.

One of our short-term aims is to produce a Responsibility Roadmap for measurable reductions of GHG emissions and water consumption.

Responsible Business Conduct Policy

Responsible Business Conduct (RBC)

The OECD has defined RBC as “making a positive contribution to economic, environmental and social progress with a view to achieving sustainable development and avoiding and addressing adverse impacts related to an enterprise’s direct and indirect operations, products or services”.

Introduction

BRAV strives towards responsible business conduct that respects people, society and the environment. Our Code of Conduct forms the foundation of our sustainability work.

BRAV considers responsible business conduct to be a prerequisite for sustainable development, meaning that today’s generation get their needs covered without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. As a supplier of sporting goods and equipment for outdoor use, we are committed to taking good care of our customers, securing a safe and healthy working environment for the people developing and producing our products, as well as having minimal impact on the natural environment. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is the world’s joint action plan for sustainable development. BRAV works actively with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Nature and work environment

We provide our customers with products that are safe to use. Our brands and products are to ensure a good reputation when it comes to taking good care of nature.
We operate in accordance with all current and any future laws and regulations relating to the environment, and we contribute actively to the reduction of unwanted substances in the natural environment.
Our products are produced in a secure manner and with little or no impact on the surroundings.
Our products are produced in a manner that ensures good animal welfare.

Ethical trade and Anti-Corruption

We work actively to ensure that our products are produced in compliance with acknowledged standards for ethical trade.
Especially, we contribute to the extinction of forced labor, child labor, discrimination, unsafe and unhealthy working environments, and wages below the poverty line.
As a member of Ethical Trade, we ensure to follow the highest standard of requirements set at all times in our own Employee and Supplier Code of Conduct, legislation, or Ethical Trade Norway’s Principles for Sustainable Business Conduct.
We have zero tolerance for corruption. Brav, including all employees, shall never offer or receive illegal or inappropriate monetary gifts or other remuneration to achieve private or business benefits in their own interest or in the interest of customers, agents or suppliers. More on Anti-corruption in Employee Code of Conduct and Brav Supplier Code of Conduct https://www.brav.com/responsibility/social/.

Our main external partners are Ethical Trade Norway and RISE/Chemical Check for chemical issues.
As a member of Ethical Trade Norway BRAV commits to working actively with due diligence for responsible business conduct. Due diligence is a risk-based approach to respect and safeguard people, society and the environment in our own business and throughout the supply chain. We expect our suppliers and partners to follow the same approach.

Requirements – own business

BRAV acknowledges that our business conduct can potentially have negative impact on people, society and the environment. At the same time, we see the potential to contribute to positive development in the supply chain. With this in mind, we have compiled the following principles and criteria guiding our own business:

Due diligence

BRAV shall conduct due diligence for responsible business conduct. This involves; conducting risk assessments to identify potential negative impact on people, society and the environment and to stop, prevent and reduce such impact. The measures put in place are monitored and their effect evaluated. The measures are communicated to those affected by our actions. If our activities are found to cause or contribute to negative impact on people, society or the environment, we will stop the activities and seek to provide remedy. If our supplier is responsible for the negative impact, the supplier is responsible for providing remedy.

Responsible purchasing practices

BRAV considers responsible purchasing practices to be one of our most important tools for responsible business conduct. BRAV shall adapt our purchasing practices in order to strengthen, and not undermine, our suppliers’ ability to deliver on our requirements related to people, society and the environment. We strive towards lasting supplier relationships with suppliers who show a particular willingness and ability to create positive developments in the supply chain.

Freedom of association and worker representation

BRAV supports the right to freedom of association and other forms of democratically elected worker representation. We shall involve worker representatives and other relevant stakeholders in our work with responsible business conduct.

Supplier development and partnership

In dialogue with suppliers we will consider, if needed, to contribute with capacity building or resources that enable our suppliers to comply with BRAV’s requirements related to responsible business conduct.
This way we lay the foundation for collaboration with suppliers that show the willingness and ability to work on positive development for people, society and the environment in the supply chain.

Anti-Corruption

BRAV, including all employees, shall never offer or receive illegal or inappropriate monetary gifts or other remuneration to achieve private or business benefits in their own interest or in the interest of customers, agents or suppliers. More on Anti-corruption in Employee Code of Conduct and Brav Supplier Code of Conduct https://www.brav.com/responsibility/social/.

Countries affected by trade boycott

BRAV, including all our suppliers and partners, shall avoid trading with partners that have activities in countries where a trade boycott is imposed by the UN and/or Norwegian Government authorities.

Requirements – conditions in the supply chain

We expect our suppliers and partners to work focused and systematically to comply with our guidelines for suppliers, hereunder our code of conduct, that covers fundamental requirements on human rights, labor rights, anti-corruption, animal welfare and the environment.
Our suppliers shall:

Follow our guidelines for suppliers, thereunder the code of conduct.
Conduct due diligence for responsible business conduct. This involves; conducting risk assessments to identify potential negative impact on people, society and the environment and to stop, prevent and reduce such impact. The measures put in place must be monitored and their effect evaluated. The measures taken must be communicated to those affected by your actions. If the supplier is responsible for the negative impact/damage, they are responsible for providing remedy.
Show willingness and ability to continuous improvement for people, society and the environment through collaboration.
At the request of BRAV be able to document how they, and potential subcontractors, work to comply with the guidelines.

If the supplier, after several requests by BRAV, does not show the willingness or ability to comply with the guidelines for suppliers, the contract may be cancelled.

More info in Brav Employee Code of Conduct and Brav Supplier Code of Conduct: https://www.brav.com/responsibility/social/

UN Sustainability Development Goals

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.
They address the global challenges we face, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice.
The UNSDGs consist of 17 main goals and 169 sub-goals and are the United Nations’ joint work plan to eradicate poverty, combat inequality and stop climate change by 2030.

To further strengthen and promote Brav’s responsibility practices we have chosen to integrate UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) #8, #12 and #17 as guiding principles in all our business processes:

#8 Decent work and economic growth:
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. For Brav this means we focus on decent and safe working conditions in our supply chain.

#12 Responsible consumption and production:
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. For Brav this means focusing on sustainable material choices, not overproducing, continue to focus on making high quality long lasting functional products, increasing our repair services, and working towards measurable reduction of Greenhouse Gases and water consumption.

#13 Climate Action:
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. For Brav this means to analyse and strive to measurably and considerably reduce our climate footprint through innovation and science. Climate change is now affecting every country on every continent. It is disrupting national economies and affecting lives, costing people, communities and countries dearly today and even more tomorrow.

#17 Partnerships for the goals:
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. For Brav this means further strenghtening the current good partnerships which have the same goals and journey, and to cooperate and join partnerships with other strong partners which we together can reach our responsibility targets

Responsibility Certifications and Partnerships

Social, environmental and animal welfare responsibility are key factors in what we do. Therefore, to ensure compliance with global chemical regulations, promote higher welfare in our supply chain and increase sustainable sourcing practices, we choose to use a range of internationally known certifications in our supply chain. We have decided to focus on using the certifications below:

Wool

Brav is a Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) certified organization, where our brands are working with either RWS or ZQrx where possible to ensure our wool is sourced responsibly. We believe these certifications will enable our customers to choose our products with a more responsible supply chain.

Unfortunately, we are not able to support RWS or ZQrx in all of our wools, predominantly due to our locally sourced Norwegian wool since RWS is not available. But we do work closely with our Norwegian suppliers and Norilia to ensure the highest level of welfare.

Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)

RWS is a voluntary standard that addresses the welfare of sheep and the land they graze on. The goals of the RWS are to provide the industry with a tool to recognize the best practices of farmers; ensure that wool comes from farms that have a progressive approach to the management of their land, practice greater respect for the animal welfare of the sheep and respecting the Five Freedoms of animal welfare.

BRAV Norway scope certificate number: IDF-22-446263

ZQRX Regenerative Wool

We have partnered with ZQrx to promote more sustainable and responsible practices within our supply chain, ensuring the well-being of animals, ecosystems, and communities while delivering high-quality wool products to our consumers.

ZQrx ensures that the wool is sourced from sheep that are raised on farms practicing regenerative agriculture principles. This means that the wool production process aligns with regenerative practices, such as rotational grazing, soil regeneration, and biodiversity conservation. The aim is to produce wool in a manner that is not only high-quality but also contributes to the overall health and sustainability of the surrounding ecosystem.