green marketplace economicsConsumers now have little information about the true ecological impacts of what they buy. But that may be about to change, as new technologies that track supply chains are emerging and companies as diverse as Unilever and Google look to make their products more sustainable.
cop 16 supply chainCountries need to take ownership of their entire life-cycle emissions and when such agreements are based on data that attributes emissions fairly. But companies are not waiting around for any unlikely agreement that may come out of COP 16. Many are starting to see a sustainable supply chain as a way to not only cut costs, but also create new products that are less impacting to the environment and expand in developing-world markets that are likely to be hit hard by global warming.
Implementing a Product Information Management (PIM) strategy can help support your corporate sustainability initiatives by having correct data throughout the supply chain. Inaccuracies in product information can cause waste and inefficiencies in the supply chain. And how, as a side benefit, PIM systems contribute to a company’s sustainability initiatives by eliminating these inaccuracies, reducing waste and saving money at the same time. Statistics prove the benefits of implementing a PIM solution and as the amount of product information continues to increase, the old methods of managing it all just won’t work anymore when sustainability, efficiency and accuracy is a concern.
The implementation of de-risking by consumers (and potentially voters) is a growing force for restoring the economy, environment and jobs. There is emerging market research that point to consumers embracing de-risking as a key lifestyle component. And there is also growing business documentation that aligning with this de-risking trend affords an attractive revenue growth path for businesses offering de-risking solutions.
While companies are increasingly partnering with business schools to create CSR projects for MBA students seeking to get real-world education and training to prepare them for the workforce, many find no opportunity to continue this work once they finish business school. Even though there has been a steady increase over time in VP and Director-level CSR jobs, that is not the case for social responsibility MBA grads. If you want to work in CSR, get functional experience first.
Suntech CEO, Zhengrong Shi, a prime mover in helping to turn China into a global force in photovoltaic technology, has been a major influence in bringing China’s solar PV cost structure down and making China a powerhouse in photovoltaic technology–and became a billionaire in the process. Shi’s ambition is to make solar power as cheap as conventional electricity.
Andrew Winston, founder of Winston Eco-Strategies, kicked of day two of the Sustainable Brands 2010 conference with an informative talk on how the difficult environmental, economic and supply challenges that business and industry face, have changed that game and how those challenges are presenting opportunities.
As manufacturers continue incorporating sustainability practices within their product manufacturing processes and supply chains, the retail industry – as the main customer point of contact – bears the responsibility of educating consumers about the sustainability choices available in the market.
Find out how buy-local movements can give independent owners a unified voice in government and media, educate consumers about the value of independent businesses and how to make a buy-local strategy work for your company.
