Laudes Foundation launches today with the aim to address the dual crises of climate breakdown and challenge industries to implement business practices that ‘regenerate and restore nature.’

The new foundation is a part of the Brenninkmeijer family enterprise which founded fashion retailer C&A, next to the COFRA businesses and the family’s other private philanthropic activities, including Porticus, Good Energies Foundation and Argidius Foundation.

‘Today there is an enormous challenge we must face. Through Laudes Foundation we will work with businesses, shareholders and investors to create a new definition of value; with thought leaders and academics to make that definition credible; with policy-makers to make it effective; with civil society to make it plausible; with media and movement-builders to make it desirable; and with citizens to make it beneficial,’ says Martijn Brenninkmeijer, Chairman of the Brenninkmeijer family enterprise.

The family hope the new foundation will continue and advance the work of C&A Foundation. The Laudes Foundation’s approach will focus on influencing capital so that investment encourages good business practices, and through industry to tackle its deep and systemic challenges.

‘Over the past five years at C&A Foundation, we have learned so much about what it takes to change an industry. We built networks and strengthened partnerships with the aim of creating lasting and positive change in the global fashion system. And, together with our flagship initiative Fashion for Good, we demonstrated that business and philanthropy can work successfully together to change the industry status quo,’ says Leslie Johnston, CEO of Laudes Foundation. ‘We also learned that in order to effect change in one industry, we need to address those deeper, systemic issues of the global economic system. We are proud to build on the work of C&A Foundation and be part of the growing movement to reshape global markets so that they value all people and respect nature,’ adds Johnston.

For more see: http://www.laudesfoundation.org