Supply chain News and trends

Sustainable or green IT is not new. In fact, it has been a topic of discussion among IT leaders for decades. But the concept of sustainability in general, which the United Nations defines as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,” is something people and organizations are prioritizing more than ever — and for good reason.

Concerns about the environment and climate change are front and center among world leaders, environmental advocacy groups, and society at large. Corporate executives and boards want their organizations to do their part — or at least be perceived as doing their part — to help.

The push for better environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives has taken a high priority at many organizations, and this encompasses more efficient uses of technology.

Via EcoVadis

Increased global awareness and debate surrounding climate change and sustainability has propelled environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) practices from a ‘nice to have’ to a necessity for today’s corporate treasurer, according to Karin Flinspach, head of transaction banking, Europe & Americas at Standard Chartered

Via EcoVadis

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) is shaping up to be the corporate mantra of the 2020s, with the majority (83 per cent) of Australians concerned about climate change, according to the annual Ipsos Climate Change Report 2022. 

In Europe, we have seen the introduction of supply chain legislation that will make companies accountable for the behaviour and performance of their suppliers in a way never seen. As is the way of these things, we will no doubt be seeing a similar legislative effort on our own shores in the near future. 

The way we view our responsibilities as corporations, from the board down, is shifting. But this change has been slow. Current measures are not enough, on their own, to push corporate Australia down the necessary path to Net Zero.

Board buy-in is necessary  
Only 18 per cent of businesses have set a Net Zero goal, and of those businesses that have set a goal, only 21 per cent are taking steps to achieve it, according to research at Energy Action. That’s a fraction of the buy-in that we need.

Via EcoVadis

Strong financial outcomes and sustainability focused leadership is required for long term impact, according to a new report from IDC.

In the document, IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Sustainability 2022 Predictions - APEJ Implications, IDC has identified the top 10 predictions for environmental, social, and (corporate) governance (ESG) in 2022 and beyond.

The report provides organisations with context and underlying drivers for IT investments supporting ESG initiatives for the predictions.

According to IDC, the last two years have seen significant debate and mixed results in the area of climate change. The world has experienced a brief reprieve in emissions due to lockdowns in early 2020. However, emissions increased beyond pre-pandemic levels in 2021.

The UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) has amplified the climate change plan. Even so, critics question whether the agreements articulated are enough.

In the Asia/Pacific region, the drivers that result in concrete sustainability outcomes are still primarily financial, the analysts state.

Via EcoVadis