Supply chain News and trends

The construction industry, like other industries with complex and international supply chains, is vulnerable to the risks of modern slavery. Around the world, millions of people are affected by modern slavery, with victims subjected to forced labour, human trafficking, and other forms of exploitation.

In recent years, the UK has put forward measures to address this issue, including the Modern Slavery Act 2015. However, findings show that efforts to combat modern slavery in the country are waning. Those of us with ties to the construction industry are clear on the urgent need for renewed focus and commitment to this critical issue.

The Current State of Modern Slavery in the UK

An analysis by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) reveals that only 29% of organisations required to produce a modern slavery statement submitted it to the UK government registry in 2022. This is a 46% drop in submitted statements compared to the previous year. Despite the risks of modern slavery abuses in the UK, not enough companies are adequately disclosing anti-slavery measures within their supply chains.

Via EcoVadis

“As the first plastic tax to be implemented globally, the UK PPT is a harbinger of the worldwide movement reinforcing the polluter pays principle alongside extended producer responsibility,” said Stephen Jamieson, global head of circular economy solutions at SAP. “By disincentivising the use of unsustainable materials, the government is at the same time incentivising the market value of recyclable plastic, fostering a sustainable circular economy that will have global repercussions.”

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An analysis developed for HSBC UK by a team at Harper Adams University forwards a list of ‘key suggestions’ to cut carbon emissions and the carbon footprint of the UK food supply chain.

Three academics from the University’s department of food, land and agri-business management prepared the report, which examines the issues currently facing the UK’s supply chain when it comes to sustainability – and makes recommendations as to how improvements could be made.

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The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is to investigate the prevalence and impact of greenwashing in the fashion sector, as it looks to create greater transparency over sustainability claims.  

It follows the launch of the body’s ‘Green Claims Code’, which – following industry feedback to sharpen the guide’s focus – poses six questions to stakeholders to ensure they avoid vague or deceitful language surrounding their marketing.  

“Our work so far indicates that there could be issues with greenwashing in the fashion sector and that is why we’ve prioritised this area for further investigation,” noted Cecilia Parker Aranha, the authority’s director of consumer protection. 

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New climate goal will require retailer to slash emissions generated in the production and end use of its products, from agriculture to food waste
The UK's largest supermarket chain has committed to delivering net zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2050, vowing to target the emissions generated from the sourcing of raw materials, agriculture,...

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Sustainability has dominated headlines in recent years. The conversations surrounding global warming and reducing our carbon footprint are becoming more heavily discussed as the urgency increases.

As many individuals search for ways to live more sustainably, companies face greater calls for action on climate change. Over half of consumers in the UK reportedly believe that companies should start acting on climate change immediately. Slowly but surely, this demand is being met as many companies begin implementing ways of operating more sustainably and taking steps towards becoming greener businesses.

There are several reasons why more modern-day companies especially in the IoT space, are starting to go green.

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“As the first plastic tax to be implemented globally, the UK PPT is a harbinger of the worldwide movement reinforcing the polluter pays principle alongside extended producer responsibility,” said Stephen Jamieson, global head of circular economy solutions at SAP. “By disincentivising the use of unsustainable materials, the government is at the same time incentivising the market value of recyclable plastic, fostering a sustainable circular economy that will have global repercussions.”

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The UK was the first major economy to commit to deliver net zero aviation by 2050 – and later establishing the Jet Zero Council – the UK’s first major step in transforming an industry which has contributed over 2% of global CO2 emissions pre-pandemic[1]. On an international scale, further commitment to sustainable aviation was made at COP26 with the launch of the International Aviation Climate Ambition Coalition (ICAC) where 26 countries, including the UK, pledged to reduce aviation emissions in a bid to meet global emissions targets. This sets the UK in a strong position going into the ICAO General Assembly in September 2022 where nations present their work towards agreeing a long term global aspirational goal for international aviation.

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Legislation that will protect and enhance our environment for future generations has now passed into UK law.

Through the Act, we will clean up the country’s air, restore natural habitats, increase biodiversity, reduce waste and make better use of our resources.

It will halt the decline in species by 2030, require new developments to improve or create habitats for nature, and tackle deforestation overseas.

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A UK investor coalition that presses companies to unearth modern-day slavery in their supply chains said on Monday it was going to expand its campaign into the construction and materials sectors.

The ‘Find It, Fix It, Prevent It’ initiative – founded in 2019 by CCLA Investment Management – has focused up to now on the hospitality industry.

“The construction industry is estimated to contain 18% of the world’s victims of forced labour,” CCLA’s chief executive, Peter Hugh Smith, said.

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