Top 10: Sustainable Supply Chains

With much of the business world focused on supply chains and sustainability, we look at 10 sustainable global supply chains, and the unique tech innovations and programmes that contribute towards making each organisation a sustainability leader.

10. Adidas

CEO: Bjørn Gulden
​​​​​​​The popular sportswear brand Adidas is very much involved in sustainability, specifically in waste management and designing products that suit the circular economy. The company has partnered with Parley Ocean Plastic to develop footwear from recycled plastic as a project that will benefit eco-conscious consumers. 

Sustainability is embedded in the business with years spent reducing the business’ contribution to waste, and, since 1998, ensuring responsible sourcing throughout its global supply chain processes. 

energy in the US and Canada in our owned or operated facilities.” 

9. Samsung

CEO: Kim, Ki Nam
​​​​​​​Samsung’s five sustainability pillars encompass its pledge to the environment, its employees, communities, digital responsibility, and supply chain sustainability, through its business practices. 

Last year, the electronics giant announced new commitments for its mobile applications. Galaxy for the Planet is the sustainability platform for its Mobile Communications Business, outlining a set of targets to reach 2025, among these the elimination of all single-use plastics from product packaging and to achieve zero waste to landfill.

8. Tech Mahindra
CEO & MD: Mohit Joshi
​​​​​​​Global IT service company Tech Mahindra is striving to be one of the most sustainable organisations in India. Through strategies for responsible business growth and the enhancement of operational eco-efficiency, the company hopes to remain at the top of sustainability developments in the industry. 

In 2021, it was recognised by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index as the world’s most sustainable IT company and was also awarded by HRH The Prince of Wales’ Terra Carta Seal.

7. IBM

CEO: Arvind Krishna
​​​​​​​One of IBM’s biggest aspirations is to make a positive impact on the world through its business ethics, as well as on the communities in which clients and employees work and live. 

In 2022, the company acquired Envizi to accelerate its sustainability agenda and build on growing investments in AI-powered software, helping organisations to create more sustainable operations and supply chains. 

IBM strives to reach carbon neutrality by 2030 but, before then, wants to divert 90% of non-hazardous waste from landfill and incineration by 2025.

6. Siemens

CEO: Roland Busch
​​​​​​​Sustainability is at the heart of all operations at Siemens and has been for many years. The organisation’s DEGREE framework sets out a clear mission for the corporation moving forward as it addresses key areas of decarbonisation, ethical practices, governance, resources, diversity, equity and inclusion. 

Through the use of Science-Based targets, Siemens is working towards a clean supply chain and more efficient operations. In its most recent report, the company highlights a significant reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions of around 80,000 metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

5. SAP
​​​​​​​CEO: Christian Klein

The global software provider SAP has expanded its use of technology to meet the needs of people and the planet. The firm’s innovative culture allows it to tackle various customer issues through technology and it also contributes, through solutions engineering, to alternative fuel development, the management of diversity and equality, and change to creating opportunities across the globe. 

The company sports various software solutions for sustainability, such as its ESG reporting, climate change impact management, circular economy solutions, and products for measuring social responsibility.

4. Nestlé

CEO: Mark Schneider
​​​​​​​As one of the world’s largest food and beverage corporations, Nestlé understands its corporate ability to provoke change, both environmentally and socially. 

The company does this by promoting wider knowledge and better health through food. It has provided nutritional education to more than 80 million children and supported 350 million parents in healthy cooking. 

The firm has also recently made strides in decarbonising the sea shipping side of its supply chain, working with maritime firms to use green fuels.

3. Proctor & Gamble

CEO: Jon Moeller
​​​​​​​P&G is committed to a sustainable future: ending deforestation, supporting local farmers and as previously reported in Supply Chain, creating a solution to the palm oil problem. P&G’s policy on Wood Pulp details: “We have a responsibility through our practices to ensure sustainability of the world’s forest resource.” This includes minimising unwanted sources of wood and maintaining independent third party verification systems of policies.

2. IKEA

CEO: Jesper Brodin
The Scandinavian furniture giant has had sustainable supply chain policies in place for years: a 2005 partnership with WWF supporting cotton farmers and sustainably sourced cotton from 2015. Furthermore, the IKEA Forest Positive Agenda for 2030 plans to reforest areas which have been damaged. 

The company will only buy wood from destinations which have been verified by third party certification systems and encourages customers to recycle IKEA products.

“We believe in taking social and environmental responsibility throughout our supply chain, as well as being transparent about how we work,” the company says.

• We feature Jesper Brodin in the February 2024 issue of Supply Chain. Read it here. 

1. Schneider Electric

Chairman: Jean-Pascal Tricoire 
​​​​​​​Having advocated sustainability for more than two decades, multinational energy management and digital transformation corporation Schneider Electric is renowned for its climate ambitions and ability to empower the next generation of digital energy transformation.

The last year has seen the company replacing single-use plastic packaging with recycled cardboard. Engaging supply chains in its Zero Carbon Project, Schneider is committed to providing digital tools and resources to its 1000 suppliers, giving back to an industry that has not only maintained business momentum but requires a lot of support to reduce its environmental impacts – equating to around 70% of its own carbon emissions.

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