BWP CO-OP ESG – Framework

 

The strategic model of our co-operative is anchored on holistic framework – Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG). These principles flow through our policies, processes, procurement, community engagement, investment approach, partnerships, and vendor selection.

 

One of our core strength as a co-operative is that among our membership, we have subject matter experts with the professional capacity and certifications to support our ESG Framework implementation, which is a combination of Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB).

 

BWP Co-op has also adopted Global Goals for Sustainable Development (United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals – SDGs2030), as an intersectional framework to guide our operations.

 

 

1. BWP Co-op’s Environmental impacts

 

We participate in environmental programs, which highlights our commitment to ensuring that our business activities and that of our members have the following impacts:

 

• • Zero to minimal negative impact on the environment by encouraging, availing, and implementing the use of nature-based solutions in dealing with issues that impact the environment.

 

• Improve our natural environment by encouraging availing, and implementing environmental stewardship programs

 

 

2. Diversity and Inclusion in the BWP Co-op Workplace

 

BWP Co-op is committed to the following:

• • Creating a safe work environment where all employees are included, treated with dignity and respect, and placed in positions to contribute to our future success.

 

• • Prioritizing equitable inclusion of people of all gender identities, ages, races, ethnicities, national origins, cultures, religious or political beliefs, languages, education levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, family or relationship statuses, sexual orientations, genetics, and/or abilities.

 

• • Achieving short- and long-term diversity, equity, and inclusion goals that respond to the evolving needs of our members and our business.

 

• • Developing and maintaining new and existing diversity-equity-and-inclusion-related initiatives and policies across BWP Coop. These policies guide our Members, which include our Board of Directors, management, employees, subcontractors, and partners in developing an inclusive culture.

 

• Extending our commitment to diversity to all areas of our business including recruitment, employment, compensation and benefits, talent development, skills enhancement, promotions, employee retention, flexible work arrangements, forms of leave available to employees, policies and procedures, Board appointments, and succession planning.

 

 

3. Socio-Economic Cultural and Economic Impact

 

Application of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion lens in our procurement practices and entire value chain.

 

• Using locally based suppliers, sourcing local raw materials and production inputs.
• Our policies and practices promote economic inclusion when selecting supplier. Forms of economic inclusion include:i. Small and medium-sized suppliers.ii. Suppliers owned by women.iii. Suppliers owned by or recruit people from members of vulnerable, marginalized, or under-represented social groups.iv. We develop stable and long-term relationships with local suppliers for a more cohesive and integrated supply chain.

 

 

By supporting local suppliers, our organization indirectly attracts additional investment to the local economy. Local sourcing is a strategy to help ensure accessible, constant, and cost-effective supply, support a stable local economy, and maintain community relations.

 

The socio-economic impact of our infrastructure investment – Industrial Kitchen and the Food Hub is long-term, and extend beyond the scope of our operations.

 

 

4. Community Engagement and Improving the Local Economy

 

This covers our operations related to local community engagement, our impact assessments, and development of Corporate Social Responsibility programs.

 

i. Local community development programs based on local communities’ needs – BWP Co-op provides Jobs in our local community. These include:

 

Internship opportunities: We offer co-op opportunities to undergraduate students and recent graduates.

 

Volunteer opportunities: These are available to new immigrants, women, high school students and people transitioning to second careers.
(Some of our members have an existing relationship with several post-secondary institutions for co-op student placements. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice are key criteria in our selection processes).

 

ii. Stakeholder engagement, stakeholder mapping, and ecosystem building. We are members of several local organizations including Local food and farm co-op, Canadian Worker Cooperative Federation (CWCF), Ontario Cooperative Association and the Local Chambers.

 

We are part of a broad-based local community consultation committee and processes that include vulnerable groups e.g. A member of BWP Co-op is on the Justice Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee of the Canadian Worker Cooperative Federation (CWCF).

 

In partnership with our member organizations and partners, we run environmental and social impact programs that include Harvest Festivals, Farmers markets, ‘Sustainability on the Farm’ – a series of trainings and workshops on the farm for school children and youth.

 

 

5. BWP Co-op Global South (Africa and Caribbean)

 

We invest in, and partner with agro and food-based women-led cooperatives, social enterprises and entrepreneurs in the Global South (African and Caribbean countries):

 

• • Fair Trade – We ensure fair trade practices in all our partnerships with our international vendors, producers, and suppliers.

 

• • Impact Investing – Our investment choices are based on the Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) model, a combination of criteria: purpose, sustainability, equity, dignity, and with profit as an outcome of these criteria.

 

• • Cultural Relevance and Sovereignty – We use culturally attuned, indigenous systems such as ROSCA+ to improve outcomes for our members by equipping them with technology and contemporary frameworks.

 

• Creating Bridges to a Digitized Global Marketplace – Connecting women in Canada to women in the Global South to foster socio-economic partnerships, import-export trade, digital literacy and financial inclusion.

 

 

Interested in learning more about BWP Co-op ESG Consulting Services? Click Here to Schedule a Complimentary 30-minute Consultation with a Member of our Team.