Transforming the Supply Chain
Integrating sustainability principles into all stages of the procurement process is a major step towards achieving sustainable production and consumption. However, translating these principles into action can be more challenging.
Environmental benefits of sustainable procurement include reduced resource consumption (e.g. extraction of raw materials), less pollution, reduced use of toxic substances, waste avoidance, and protection of natural areas. Some of the benefits and positive outcomes for your organisation include:
- reducing costs and increasing productivity
- reducing potential exposure to financial, regulatory and reputation risks
- providing an incentive to producers to develop new sustainable products
- exploiting a new and rapidly expanding market
- meeting the expectations of the shareholders and the community
Sustainable procurement (including investments) is rapidly expanding within the corporate sector. Business tools such as Triple Bottom Line measurement, Corporate Social Responsibility reporting and Socially Responsible Investment are becoming increasingly common.
The Sustainability Advantage Program assists businesses and government agencies to achieve good environmental performance that will reduce risk, lower costs, improve productivity and enhance reputation. The program has a number of modules - one dealing with Supply Chain Management.
Page last updated: 27 February 2011
