One of the largest challenges corporate sustainability leaders grapple with today is a lack of common expectations for supply chain sustainability (SCS). Many are seeking ways to better understand the sustainability performance of companies within their supply chain while responding to similar requests from their own customers. While the objectives of such efforts are often similar, the format and content are typically quite different.
Some industries have worked together to develop common expectations and shared evaluation processes for their suppliers. In addition, 3rd party SCS platform providers have developed cross-industry tools that allow for sharing of sustainability information between buyers and suppliers.
GEMI’s SCS Solutions Map was designed by GEMI’s SCS Work Group as a high-level map depicting a selection of industry-specific SCS harmonization efforts to illustrate the breadth of activities to be addressed, many of which overlap. Information on the Map was informed by internal GEMI research as well as dialogue and engagement with a range of external organizations. This map is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all available solutions or guide for selecting a particular solution, but rather GEMI developed it to promote dialogue around potential convergence/mutual recognition across efforts.
GEMI believes there is strong potential to enhance coordination across efforts and further increase focus on the data that drives action while reducing the burden to both buyer and supplier across industries, and will continue to facilitate cross-industry dialogue and action to address this opportunity through GEMI’s SCS Work Group going forward. Please contact GEMI Program Manager Kellen Mahoney (kmahoney@navista.net) if you’d like to learn more about how you can engage in GEMI’s efforts.
Special thanks to 2017 GEMI member companies and Supply Chain Sustainability project participants for their leadership and engagement, including American Chemistry Council, Ashland, Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable, Carnival Corporation & plc, Corn Refiners Association, Ecolab, ExxonMobil Chemical, FedEx, Gannett Fleming, Hexion, IPIECA, Merck, Plastics Industry Association, P&G, Perdue Farms, Schlumberger, Sealed Air, Smithfield Foods and Smith & Nephew. Special thanks also to Mary Beth Jordan, MBJ Strategies for her work in supporting this effort.
*Note that the information provided is based on solutions developed as of June 2017 and is subject to change over time.
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