These are some keys to understanding the scope of LinkUp, the program that connects Ferrer's value chain to promote social and environmental improvements.
1. The impact is not only within Ferrer.
Most of the social and environmental impact occurs in the value chain. LinkUp addresses this by acting on the entire network of partners and suppliers, from selection to continuous improvement.
2. It's about collaboration: we're better together.
The premise is clear: we cannot generate relevant changes alone. LinkUp is based on interdependence and seeks to move forward together with suppliers, licensors, business partners and B2B customers, expanding the scope of the program to the entire ecosystem.
3. It does not stop at measuring: it drives improvement.
Beyond analysis, LinkUp accompanies business partners in training, capacity building and continuous improvement processes. It allows you to identify risks, including those related to human rights, and activate mitigation plans together with partners.
4. It's based on data, not just commitments.
LinkUp introduces objective, third-party verified ESG assessments to analyze trading partners' performance and make informed decisions. The evaluation of partners through EcoVadis allows you to measure their performance in areas such as the environment, human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement, and compare it objectively.
5. Integrate ESG criteria from the beginning.
Social, environmental and governance criteria are already part of the partner selection process, not just their subsequent evaluation. LinkUp promotes the inclusion of ESG commitments in agreements with partners and conditions collaboration on compliance with minimum standards.
6. Our partners are improving (and it can be measured).
With the LinkUp program, the ESG performance of our business partners has improved in all areas: +4.4 points in overall assessment, +5 in environment, +3.4 in sustainable procurement and ethics, and +5 in labor practices and human rights.
7. It works as a structured and measurable model.
LinkUp is divided into four phases – Connect & Commit, Review & Reflect, Empower & Improve and Check & Track – that allow partners to assess, monitor and track their ESG performance on an ongoing basis.
8. We want to be an example (and we measure it).
Ferrer has earned 81 points and the Platinum distinction in EcoVadis for its performance in the environment, ethics, human rights, labor practices and sustainable procurement, the same system we use to evaluate our partners.
9. We bring ESG commitments to contracts.
We have begun to integrate standard ESG clauses into agreements with business partners, with 14 contracts already incorporated and several in process, which represents a significant advance in the volume of expenditure covered by sustainability criteria.
10. We activate LinkUp engagement programs: we have launched our first LinkUp for Climate engagement program, with the aim of decarbonizing our value chain and achieving our climate goals to reduce our emissions. LinkUp for Climate has enabled us to activate different training webinars with our suppliers, licensees and business partners and we have worked to have real values of the carbon footprint of our value chain. LinkUp for climate is the first of many programs, and in 2027 we hope to activate LinkUp for Human Rights and LinkUp for Nature.
