Joined up thinking

We recently went to a sustainability event in Dartington, where green minded individuals and companies met to talk about and spread good environmental practice.

One thing we found, was that although the company itself had a good solid sustainable foundation, when it came to telling everyone about it, the fell at the first hurdle.

We found that most hadn't thought about the paper they printed on, had gloss laminated their brochures, used 'their local printer' and certainly not even thought about the carbon impacts of their literature.

Inspirations, gave a little 5 minute talk on how we can address this and create a much deeper credibility with their customers, simply by addressing their literature in a joined up way - a bit like they would if they were gathering ingredients together to bake an eco-friendly cake!

What many people don't realise is that the printing industry is actually the 3rd largest polluter in the world! So keeping your printed material ecofriendly, is something very worthwhile!

Recent Sustainable Supply Chain Findings:

Business still in dark over climate threat

While many corporate giants have woken up to the risks climate change poses for their business, many of those further down the supply change are blissfully unaware of how it may harm their trade.

This is the key finding of a study undertaken by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), an initiative set up to encourage big business to be open about its emissions.

The CDP asked hundreds of suppliers working for major companies for their views on regulatory and physical risks and of the 634 who responded, a full third said they did not believe they faced any threat at all.

Only 58% considered climate change posed a risk to their operations.

Interestingly, the report showed that Asian suppliers expressed the highest level of concern over climate change and many are using governance and employee incentives to drive positive action.

Of the 77 responding suppliers based in Asia, 66% cite board level responsibility for climate change issues, well above the 54% global average.

In addition 39% of responding Asian companies reported the use of employee incentives, which can be a key lever for change.

As well as providing companies with a system for tracking and reporting their own emissions, the CDP also offers advice on helping them influence their suppliers in this area.

34 big name companies including Cadbury, Vodafone and Unilever use the system, requiring their major suppliers to report on their carbon footprint.

For most companies, 40% to 60% of their total carbon emissions are beyond their direct control and come from their supply chain, but by requesting those further down the chain to report - and address - their share of the impact, large businesses can have a significant impact.

-Edie 9th March 2009

Inspirations can help make this difference - call us for more information

Greenpeace Plot

We have now signed up to the Airplot to help stop the extra runway at Heathrow.

Why - visit www.greenpeace.org.uk to find out why