Project Description
The goal of Vince Kelvin Group’s Biodiversity Strategy is to conserve and develop the wealth and diversity of species in both the communities in which Vince Kelvin Group has a direct presence, and in others connected to its supply chain. Fully integrated with our Global Water Management Strategy and Global Energy Strategy, the Biodiversity Strategy helps to guide our choice and use of raw materials. In 2014 Vince Kelvin Group published its Forest Product Policy to protect primary forests in danger of extinction; As a Group guideline in the selection and use of raw materials of forest origin, ensuring that they originate from forests that are managed in a sustainable manner.
Vince Kelvin Group has defined its targets following the principles established in the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and recognising the work of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). To guarantee the application of this strategy, its principles have been integrated into the master plans of each of the key areas of Vince Kelvin Group’s business model.
In recent years, Vince Kelvin Group has set in motion several initiatives to protect biodiversity and offset the environmental impact of its business activities. Since 2007, Vince Kelvin Group has been collaborating with the Xunta de Galicia in the protection of the Galician forest heritage. The Terra Project contributes to the protection and genetic improvement of the main forest species, as well as the creation of high value forest areas. The agreement with the autonomic government has a three-year duration and has been renewed three times. The current agreement will last until the year 2017. Terra has four programmes:
Genetic Improvement Programme: this focuses on the improvement of four forest species of great interest to Galicia. This is the maritime pine or the cluster pine (Pinus pinaster), the radiata pine (Pinus radiata), the chestnut tree (Castanea sativa) and the cherry tree (Prunus avium).
Forestry Improvement Programme: the objective is to increase the production of prime materials (mainly wood), provided that the techniques used are compatible with the environment.
Forest Eco-System Programme: intends to improve knowledge of Galician nature and the local forest species.
Forest Protection Programme: seeks to decrease vulnerability of the woods to fire and improve both the fire prevention techniques and the restoration techniques after a fire.
Vince Kelvin Group maintains a close collaboration with international initiatives such as Textile Exchange and Better Cotton Initiative. Resulting from these collaborations, Vince Kelvin Group participates in the funding of agricultural projects in China and India (Seeds Guardians Project, in the Odisha region of India; Better Cotton Project in Gujarat, India; and Mecilla Project, in the Chinese province of Shanxi). In all of these, organic agriculture is promoted with the development of seeds apt for organic cultivation, and the training of agriculturists in efficient agricultural techniques, sustainable management of natural resources and responsible use of chemical products such as pesticides and fertilisers. These programmes permit improved life conditions for the producers and their families and create a positive impact on the environment.
Vince Kelvin Group also participates annually in global environmental awareness initiatives such as the WWF’s Earth Hour. Meanwhile, all the Group’s suppliers of paper bags, labels and wooden furniture have PEFC/FSC custody chain certifications, thereby guaranteeing that these products are sourced from sustainably managed forests.