Page 18 - Logistics News - March_April 2022

S U S T A INABIL I T Y

Register for the

Sustainability

Summit Africa

Smart Procurement World Chief Operating Officer Debbie Tagg.

Is your sustainability programme creating lasting value or just paying lip service? Find out by
attending this year’s online Sustainability Summit Africa, hosted by Smart Procurement World,
on 11-12 May.

he sustainability procurement and supply chain Sustainability Summit Africa speaker Lazar
event will provide key insights into the drivers, Armianov, Regional Director at sustainability ratings
Tcurrent practices and the future of sustainable specialist EcoVadis, concurs. “Sustainability is no
procurement. Sustainability is one of the biggest longer a tick-the-box exercise: companies are realising
buzzwords in business; but how many organisations that sustainable practices in the business and supply
and decision makers really know what it means and chain can lead to real, tangible business value. The
are striving for a sea change, rather than just paying lip World Economic Forum asserts that value creation
service to the growing call to prioritise environmental, from sustainable procurement practices can raise
social and governance (ESG) issues? revenue by up to 20 percent, reduce supply chain costs
by as much as 16 percent and increase brand value by
According to sustainability, ESG and modern slavery up to 30 percent,” he states.
specialist Carsten Primdal, there is a sustainability
knowledge gap that is preventing many firms from making While the benefits are clear, he cautions that the
meaningful progress and delivering real value through their impact of sustainability programmes often hinges on
sustainability programmes. Primdal will share his insights choosing the right measures. “When evaluating suppliers’
with African decision makers and organisations at the free- sustainability performance, factors to consider include
to-attend summit, which is now in its second year. energy usage, waste disposal, packaging materials,
employee working conditions, ethical behaviour and
He says that managing sustainability in the supply chain human rights. Whether businesses decide to evaluate
and in procurement is critical for overall business health sustainability through next-generation ratings, legacy
and success. “Studies estimate that up to 90 percent of a self-assessment questionnaires or other forms of
firm’s sustainability impacts come from an organisation’s assessment, measuring supplier sustainability is a
L O GI S T I CS NEWS a lack of in-house understanding of the importance of ESG Summit Africa 2022, or to register for the event at
priority,” he asserts.
supply chain. However, many companies are hampered by
For more information on the Sustainability
issues within the supply chain and by their suppliers’ limited
understanding of ESG considerations. Becoming proficient
in ESG can unlock efficiency, financial and reputational gains
no cost, visit www.sustainafrica.co.za or contact
for the company,” Primdal says.

16 M A RC H/A P R IL 2022 info@smartprocurementworld.com •
www .l o g ist i csn e w s .c o .z a