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What defines your sustainability?

Improve your product footprint

Food safety is still a top priority, but consumer concerns over other issues are growing. ​

A DNV survey found that 68% would welcome more information on reduced plastic waste, 51% on reduced greenhouse gas emissions and 41% on reduced water consumption. ​ 

This trend is especially strong among Millennials. The younger generations are setting the standard for conscious consumerism, where quality is also judged on social, ethical and environmental performance, for example. ​ 

A product’s footprint quantifies the environmental impact from cradle-to-grave. It considers the entire life-cycle from carbon and water footprint to use of non-renewable resources, waste and more. ​ 

As improving product footprints in all consumer-driven industries is becoming a must to meet consumer demands. Companies are forced to take action and provide proof of sustainability claims. This requires a structured approach from the design to sourcing, manufacturing and transportation, all the way to disposal or recycling of the final product. 

The linear take-make-waste industrial model is no longer viable in the face of rapid population growth, resource constraints, sprawling urbanization, water insecurity and other trends. ​ 

Exploring circular business models decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources and designing waste out of the system is essential to progress and even come close to cub consumerism and deliver on the UN SDGs. ​ 

Leveraging on digital technologies to incentivise behaviour, provide traceability and build trust can facilitate attractiveness and proliferation. 

Talk to us about product footprint, circular economy models and track & trace solutions.

Manage supplier risks

The global pandemic has emphasized how vulnerable our global food value chain. A sudden inability to ensure supplies or continue supplier qualification and management highlighted potential risk to to continued food supplies and consumer health. ​ 

The pandemic forced an intensified view of risk areas. A DNV survey showed that 42% experienced delays in supplies and 32% problems with delivery and logistics. Limitations to international trade, lack of available material/services or suppliers in lockdown hit about one fourth. Moreover, hospital standard infection risk management became a requirement to safeguard employees. ​ ​ 

Managing any risk demands control of one’s entire supply chain. In the same survey, 67% map direct suppliers while only 24% go beyond tier 1. Knowing your suppliers will help not only to ensure continuity during a crisis but manage aspects from food safety and supplier qualification to environmental, social and ethical aspects. ​ 

A complete mapping of complex and distributed supply chains, applying comprehensive supplier qualification and management programs, is resource intensive and challenging at any time. ​ 

For companies with limited supplier control beyond tier 1, remote alternatives and digital assurance solutions can enable an efficient deeper penetration. It will advance both food safety and supply chain management, improve resilience and thus improve sustainability performance. 

Talk to us about infection risk management, supply chain management and governance. 

Strengthen ESG 

Sustainability is becoming a success factor. As ESG performance requirements and scrutiny from investors and legislators is increasing, risk management throughout the value chain is essential. As relevance is being extended beyond the capital rating, companies must manage performance from environmental to social and governance in equal measures. The ability to manage, improve and demonstrate sustainability performance has become essential to realize long-term strategic goals and generate lasting, sustainable results. ​ 

The food and beverage industry has a significant potential to contribute toward the SDG goals. Its environmental planet impact is significant. Supply chains are complex with social and ethical risks in sourcing, for example. Moreover, the industry plays a vital role in increasing food security and improving consumer health. ​ 

Any one of these challenges are a tall order. But could inspiration be taken from the unequalled food safety collaboration? Risk management, sharing of knowledge and strategy to advance on food safety is an industry staple. Could the approach be extended into wider enterprise risk management areas, to similarly pioneer environmental or social impact? ​ 

To facilitate progress, new digital technologies and solutions facilitating trust, traceability and circular business models for example, are ready to aid progress and reward the right actions from companies and consumers.​ 

Whether responding to legislative, investor or consumer demand, strengthening one’s ESG performance is becoming sustainable business for companies and our planet. ​ 

Talk to us about sustainability performance and ESG ratings. 

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