Large or small, all businesses should be looking at how they can reduce their carbon footprint and act in a socially responsible manner, even if they already comply with current legislation. More than simply being an ethically-minded thing to do, it also provides numerous benefits for the business.
I’ve previously written about these in the blog articles below:
- Carbon-Neutral Supply Chains: How We Get There Together
- Considering Corporate Social Responsibility through Every Step of the Supply Chain
There is a growing army of newer companies focusing on helping the environment or society, but it can be a challenge to change in this manner for already established companies.
Here, I’m going to share how three leading companies have done it, to help inspire you and hopefully provide you with an idea of some of the things your business could do.
Puma
The fashion industry causes considerable impact on the environment, and continues to grow as a sector. The UN has been trying to raise awareness and rally the leading brands, and in doing so, has launched the ‘Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action’. Puma have signed this, pledging to reduce the company’s greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030.
To do this they are not only planning on reducing the emissions from the facilities it owns, but by also looking at how they can adapt their energy needs to make them more environmentally friendly too. What we should all learn from this is, it’s important to change the way we do things, and not just try to make the things we do less harmful.
Novo Nordisk
In 2015 Novo Nordisk set a target of using 100% renewable energy by 2020, across each of its sites worldwide. They have done a laudable job of this and are on target to meet their aim through the use of a variety of renewable energy methods, including investing in their own 672-acre wind farm in the USA.
Now, they are setting themselves a new target of achieving zero carbon dioxide emissions from all the company’s operations and transport by 2030. One of the ways they are aiming to do this is through the use of what they call their ‘circular mindset’, where they focus on reducing what they waste and by working closely with their suppliers.
O2
Telecommunications giant, O2, has recently upped their game when it comes to what they offer for new parents, or fathers, to be precise.
Going way above the statutory two weeks of paid paternity leave offered by the majority of other companies, they now offer 14 weeks of leave to all permanent employees. And, that’s on full pay for the whole period.
This is obviously a fantastic benefit for the employees, but through doing this they will attract the top talent and build high levels of staff loyalty. A win for all.
If you’d like to discover how you can improve your environmental and social impact through your procurement systems and supplier relationships, get in touch today.
