we are elements impact report 2019
nature is family
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photography Alvar Van Looveren
Why would a small family company from Belgium decide to make an impact report? We started Elements in 2010 with the idea that we could approach sales and distribution better, differently and above all more consciously. Ten years on, Elements has evolved into a company where 17 people work together embracing that vision, not only in Belgium, but also in the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Germany and Austria. This Impact Report is a result of Elements' evolution as a company.
As a sales representative and distributor, it is easy to lose oneself in sales and disappear into the background. We want to tell a story and put it into practice. We are a kind of improvised family that wants to bring everyone closer together and in closer contact with nature. That brings us to the aspect of Elements that we are perhaps most proud of. Daring to trust our own abilities and
You may ask yourself... As a bridge between the brand and retailer, we’ve always had the opportunity to learn from our partners. They have inspired us a lot over the years. Today, we are happy to share this knowledge that we have put into practice. Limiting the climate crisis, which is the challenge of the next 10 years, requires a far-reaching ecological and social change in our society. We, as a sector, also play a role in this. With our Impact Report, we want to demonstrate how we are trying to do our work more consciously in alignment with our social and environmental responsibility.
those of the great people around us. Mutual trust connects, inspires and builds community; by helping a customer who needs support at a tent show, a brand that wants to expand into a new region or amplifying a non-profits’ voice. Together, we turn the tide on a planet in need. Nature is part of our family so we are trying to protect it the best we can. In this Impact Report you will find out how.
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mission statement
photography Nelson Coomans
We are part of society We are part of nature Elements chooses to work with high-quality and responsible brands that reinforce our relationship with nature. We supply retailers with this selection of brands, making them better accessible to everyone. To reinforce our relationship with nature in everything we do, we make choices based on these four values: Solidarity Elements’ approach is based on trust. We believe that it is more than the sum of its parts. Which is why we work in close collaboration with our workers, brands, customers and partners. Engagement Elements is taking responsibility. We are not only doing our best for our workers, brands, customers and partners but we also strive to do our best for the planet and the next generations. Purpose Elements wants to make a difference. We can only rest easy if we know that everyone is benefiting from what we are doing. Exploration Elements loves passion and adventure. We stray from the beaten path. We inspire our brands and we are always looking for new ways to reinforce our relationship with nature. We are absolutely convinced that the more we return to nature, the more we will take care of it.
Christophe founded Elements together with his good friend Francis
2010 Patagonia Care Plus Katadyn Trek'n Eat
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we are elements
We start using enhanced customer relationship management (CRM) software
2016 ECOlunchbox
First Elements community event, connecting retailers, brands and other stakeholders
Brother Dominic joins
Elements moves to Edegem
Brother Philippe joins
2011
2012
2013
2014
Tilley Nordisk
Klean Kanteen Osprey
Zamberlan
Care Plus The Netherlands Craghoppers
2015
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A Wave of Change conference on the global plastic pollution crisis
Logistical upgrades in our warehouse prepare us for new horizons _ Sustainability coordinator
1% for the Planet member _ CO2-Neutral Company
Mission statement
2017
2018
2019
2020
Wakawaka Care Plus Germany & Austria
Helinox Smartwool Klean Kanteen France
PATCH
Houdini smrt Spektrum
2021
1% for the Planet is an international organisation whose members donate at least 1% of their annual turnover to non-profit environmental organisations. In 2019, Elements became the fifth Belgian company to make this commitment very consciously, and one of the very first distributors in Europe. We focus our donations on 4 topics.
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climate action
we are
To pressure politics in developing a just climate policy SDG 7 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 It’s a cost of doing business on this planet. It’s not philanthropy—it’s an absolute necessity for us living on this planet. It’s the opposite of doing nothing. - Yvon Chouinard, founder 1% for the Planet & Patagonia As a company, we want to contribute to the Global Sustainable Development Goals by the United Nations, therefore, each topic is linked to several goals. www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment photography Bram Van Looveren
nature conservation
impact reduction
transition network
To protect and restore nature
To reduce human impact on nature by supporting remediation projects and low impact alternatives
To expand, inspire and support the community towards a climate neutral future
SDG 14 - 15
SDG 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 12
SDG 4 - 11 - 17
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In 2019, we donated more than â‚Ź55,000 to 12 environmental organisations in Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Benin
Three employee chosen NGOs
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"Elements joining 1% for the Planet as a member matters for several reasons. First, Elements is making a commitment that states clearly that they see giving back as a fundamental aspect of doing business. Second, because of the nature of Elements’ business at the center of multiple brands, their 1% commitment stands as an invitation for others to join. And third, Elements’ membership represents a powerful expression of the passion of their team and that says a lot about the brand. We’re so honored to get to partner with them and to grow our global community with such a strong and well-connected brand!" - Kate Williams, CEO 1% for the Planet
"Outdoor sports allow us to build an unbreakable bond with the nature that surrounds us and on the basis of that bond we commit ourselves to the preservation of our natural playground. By collaborating with Klean Kanteen and Elements through 1% for the Planet, we want to encourage people who are equipping themselves for their next adventure to take into account the impact of their sport on the nature they inhabit. On top of that, we help them to continue the same commitment they show in the mountains in daily life." - Antoine Pin, POW France
photography Nelson Coomans
“Companies have an impact on our environment. Production, transport and consumption cannot be done without leaving a footprint. Fortunately, more and more companies are doing everything they can to limit and minimise this footprint. This can be done by optimising processes, opting for a cradle to cradle approach, informing clients or through various other actions. With the commitment of 1% for the Planet, Elements has chosen to make an extra effort for a liveable planet full of diversity. A substantial financial contribution to the conservation and restoration of nature in our own country. Thanks to this support, Natuurpunt can ensure the purchase of land where nature will once again have every opportunity. The planting of new forests on these sites, which will also be open to local residents, will have an immediate positive impact on nature and the environment in a densely populated region" - Filip Hebbrecht, Natuurpunt
“As a result of Elements becoming a member of 1% for the Planet, each Klean product we sell results in twice the giving to environmental causes – once by Klean as a result of the purchase by Elements, and again by Elements as a result of the purchase by their customer. It is a welcome outcome, and a great example of how businesses aligned on their values can be a positive force together.” - Jeff Cresswell, co-owner Klean Kanteen
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we are
In order to reinforce the relationship between people and nature, first and foremost, we must ensure the natural environment we know today continues to exist. This is no longer a given. It is essential we lower our impact, that is why we became a certified CO2-Neutral company in 2019. This process is certified by the independent environmental consultancy firm CO2logic.
photography Bjorn Verelst
Every year we calculate our carbon footprint to know how much CO2e* Elements emits
*e stands for equivalents and means that, in order to facilitate interpretation, the impact of the various greenhouse gases has been converted into equivalent CO2 impact.
Based on this, a reduction plan is made to minimise our carbon emissions
The CO2e emissions we cannot yet avoid are compensated
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Elements' CO2e emissions in 2019 All emissions within Elements' control are included in the carbon footprint
transport
mobility
infrastructure
materials
82%
13%
3%
2%
The vast majority of our emissions are due to the import of goods (79%). Distribution from Elements to the retailer is also included in the transport category (3%).
This includes the use of company cars, business trips and commuting.
Infrastructure includes all emissions resulting from energy consumption (heating, electricity) of our buildings.
photography Bjorn Verelst
Materials are all incoming and outgoing (waste) materials that we use as a company.
Detailed categories 2019 carbon emissionst without transport
company car use
business travel excl. company car
natural gas
marketing material
client mobility
food
54%
18%
14%
7%
3%
1%
1%
<1%
<1%
material IN
home-work commuting excl. company car
waste / electricity
If we disregard the transport category for a moment we can show a detailed analysis of the emissions in relation to our daily operations. The use of company cars leads to the most carbon emissions. Followed by business trips and heating based on natural gas. Other categories are: emissions related to marketing materials created for our customers, car transport of customers visiting our showrooms, the food we eat, other products we use during work (coffee, paper), commuting without a car, electricity we use and the processing of our waste.
We measure our success over the years based on Key Performance Indicators 2018 vs 2019 18
Emission reductions are key
Absolute indicators Employee satisfaction
+12%
Turnover (Mâ&#x201A;Ź)
+17%
We're proud to have achieved relative reductions
Carbon emission (tCO2e)
+28%
in our first year, however, we know it is crucial that we achieve absolute reductions as soon as possible.
Relative indicators tCO2e/t transport In
-18%
kgCO2e/km travelled -13% tCO2e/Mâ&#x201A;Ź turnover +9%
photography Iris Beeckman
tCO2e/t transport In
kgCO2e/km travelled
tCO2e/Mâ&#x201A;Ź turnover
We had more than twice as many imports (in tonnes) in 2019 compared to 2018, but we emit less CO2e per tonne imported. This is because we opt for more ocean and land transport instead of air transport. Which makes sense, because air transport is 23 times more polluting than ocean transport
This KPI summarizes Elements teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mobility. This means emissions due to car use, commuting and business travel. In 2019, we emitted 13% less CO2e per kilometre travelled than in 2018. This is mainly due to the phasing out of air travel within Europe, the greening of our commute (more biking) and car fleet (more hybrids)
This measure shows our environmental impact compared to our financial result. Here we see an increase of 9% in 2019 compared to 2018. The increase is mainly due to the sales growth of imported goods. We mainly use ocean transport, but our growth is so strong that it still causes an increase in carbon emissions
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What we were already doing
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This is how we reduce our carbon emissions and improve our social impact
Use of paper tape and recycled fillings Endless re-use of our shipping boxes Collaborating with a social workplace (who also produce our paper fillings) CO2-Neutral distribution through DPD Standard green electricity in our offices A monthly bike-to-work day Support ambassadors and non-profits in Belgium
What we have been doing since 2019 and will keep doing throughout the following years We actively engage in a dialogue with our suppliers to optimally align import planning with ocean and rail transport Within Europe, we no longer fly to sales meetings We reduce car use by organising bike-to-work days and a public transport plan for our sales team
It is our responsibility to offset emissions that we cannot yet avoid by supporting projects that facilitate the transition to a more climate friendly future
How does it work? Local communities in Benin mainly cook on open, inefficient fires. The Wanrou cookstove project by Eco-Benin provides efficient cookstoves that need less wood. As a result, fewer trees are felled and the forests in Benin remain intact. Each cookstove saves a number of trees, which can continue to sequester carbon in the long term, and those carbon savings are quantified in carbon credits. In addition, the cookstoves reduce health risks such as respiratory infections and burns.
Our offices run on Belgian green energy The marketing materials are FSC-certified and are mainly printed with a CO2-Neutral printer Engage with non profits through our 1% for the Planet commitment to amplify their message regionwide
Eco-Benin also provides local employment opportunities by facilitating local crafts and ecotourism which is crucial for the long term viability of the project. We see carbon offsetting as a temporary step while we reduce our emissions as much as possible. Nevertheless, we are proud to support 140 families in Benin with this project.
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we are
photography Werner Van Steen & Marion Demanet
2019 in numbers The choices we make at Elements are based on how the economy works today (a system that adapts too slowly), the best for our employees and the radical steps that need to be taken to combat the climate crisis. It is a complex journey, always in search for the next feasible step and asking ourself: is it enough? We believe in sharing knowledge, inspiring and learning from each other in order to make the right choices. For there are many ways to change a system, and we will need that diversity to maintain a liveable planet for all. Just as we need the diverse set of knowledge and skills of everyone in our improvised family in this story. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s be honest, we have a lot of work to do to fully reduce our impact, but it starts with taking action right now. All hands on deck!
We are part of society. We are part of nature. Are you too?
275 new customers 8 fairs 2 clothing repair days 6 film screenings and debates with Patagonia
2 conferences: present at the 1% FTP and B Corp Summit
55,986 euros donated 12 environmental organisations supported
17,529 kilometers collectively cycled to work and back home. 32 key accounts' carbon emissions due visiting our showrooms were compensated 11 retailer events supported in person Partner of the Ocean Film Festival and the Banff Mountain Film Festival We supported Werner Van Steen - Marion Demanet Photography, Mei Plastic Vrij, Belgian Climbing Team, Simon Lorenzi, Karel Sabbe, GRIPPED Climbing Festival, Zeescouts 2
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Care Plus Smartwool ECOlunchbox Zamberlan Wakawaka Klean Kanteen smrt Helinox Katadyn Patagonia Osprey Tilley Craghoppers Nordisk PATCH Trekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;n Eat Houdini Spektrum
Elements bv Boerenlegerstraat 230 2650 Edegem I Belgium 0032 3 227 53 00 nelson@we-are-elements.eu we-are-elements.eu
We are: Toob I Louis I Lennard I Steven I Vincent Christophe I Geoff I Nelson I Serge I Patrick Dominic I Bieke I Peter I Philippe I Jules Bram I Elliot I Barbara I Yan I Bjorn