Working toward a sustainable global supply chain
07/25/2014 09:50:00 AM
Robert Frost
Robert Frost
Robert Frost, Linkfresh Inc.Sustainability in the supply chain affects business resilience, reputationand relationships across business segments. In the food and grocery
industry the strategic importance of sustainability continues to grow
as the industry is being challenged and challenges itself to reduce its
impact on the environment.
Companies start a supply chain sustainability journey for a host of
reasons, though primarily to ensure compliance with laws and
regulations and to support international principles for sustainable
business conduct. Additionally, organizations increasingly are taking
actions that facilitate better social, economic and environmental impacts. As a result, businesses are benefitting from the conservation of resources, optimization of processes, product innovation, cost savings, increased productivity and the promotion of corporate values.
reasons, though primarily to ensure compliance with laws and
regulations and to support international principles for sustainable
business conduct. Additionally, organizations increasingly are taking
actions that facilitate better social, economic and environmental impacts. As a result, businesses are benefitting from the conservation of resources, optimization of processes, product innovation, cost savings, increased productivity and the promotion of corporate values.
The United Nations developed the UN Global Compact, a practical
framework for the development, implementation and disclosure of
sustainability policies and practices. This initiative has facilitated
the development of voluntary Food and Agriculture Business
Principles, which establish the attributes of well-functioning and
sustainable global food and agriculture systems, and articulate a common understanding of the resources, ecosystem
services and socio-economic impacts needed to build resilience into these systems and the markets that they serve.
framework for the development, implementation and disclosure of
sustainability policies and practices. This initiative has facilitated
the development of voluntary Food and Agriculture Business
Principles, which establish the attributes of well-functioning and
sustainable global food and agriculture systems, and articulate a common understanding of the resources, ecosystem
services and socio-economic impacts needed to build resilience into these systems and the markets that they serve.
They are the first global voluntary business principles for the food and agriculture sector. The six FAB principles focus
on food security; health and nutrition; environmental responsibility; economic viability and shared value; human rights;
good governance and accountability; and access and transfer of knowledge, skills and technology. Organizations
are encouraged to align their policies and practices with the FAB principles, activities and achievements that
contribute to meeting the global challenges of food security and sustainable agriculture.
on food security; health and nutrition; environmental responsibility; economic viability and shared value; human rights;
good governance and accountability; and access and transfer of knowledge, skills and technology. Organizations
are encouraged to align their policies and practices with the FAB principles, activities and achievements that
contribute to meeting the global challenges of food security and sustainable agriculture.
Information technology and enterprise resource planning technology solutions provide a platform to achieve
these principles of supply chain sustainability, as well as provide quantifiable business benefits. While each of
these principles benefits from sophisticated whole-chain enterprise resource planning solutions, the sixth principle
is especially dependent on technology: “Businesses should promote access to information, knowledge and skills
for more sustainable food and agricultural systems.”
these principles of supply chain sustainability, as well as provide quantifiable business benefits. While each of
these principles benefits from sophisticated whole-chain enterprise resource planning solutions, the sixth principle
is especially dependent on technology: “Businesses should promote access to information, knowledge and skills
for more sustainable food and agricultural systems.”
America’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart, is leading by example when it comes to utilizing technology to improve its
supply chain sustainability.
supply chain sustainability.
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