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Articles in category: Sustainable Procurement
Sustainability Matters in the Battle for Talent
Explore HBR Blog Network (May 20 2013)
New research shows that employees want to work for companies that make sustainability a priority. Bain & Company recently surveyed about 750 employees across industries in Brazil, China, India, Germany, the UK, and the U.S. Roughly two-thirds of respondents said they care more about sustainability now than three years ago, with almost that many saying sustainable business is extremely important to them. Interest peaks among employees age 36 to 40 — a young group but not the youngest. Employees expect employers to step up and nurture this growing interest.
(Read Full Article)
First Solar gearing up for SA’s next renewables bid window
Explore Engineering News (May 8 2013)
Thin-film photovoltaic (PV) manufacturer and solar project developer First Solar, of the US, is preparing a number of projects for submission during the third bid window under South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). Regional director Johan Cilliers, who joined the group at the end of last year, having worked previously for General Electric, Siemens and Eskom, tells Engineering News Online that it currently has a pipeline of potential Southern Africa projects collectively representing 1 000 MW of capacity.
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Mentions: Australia California Asia
SA firms top list for disclosing emissions
South Africa has the highest percentage of top companies that disclose their greenhouse gas emissions out of all Brics members, according to an index of 300 large companies expected to be released on Monday. Telecommunications company Vodacom came second overall, beaten only by Brazilian renewable energy company Cemig. The top 10 comprises three each from Brazil, India and China, and Vodacom.
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Mentions: India Brazil South Africa
Marc Engel, Unilever’s Chief Procurement Officer on the Company's Progress
Explore The Triple Bottom Line (Apr 22 2013)
Last week we looked at the first update from the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan progress report (released today) on its achievements in sourcing agricultural raw materials sustainably. Afterwards, we had the chance to talk with Marc Engel, Unilever’s Chief Procurement Officer in order to learn more about the company’s progress and his views on some of the questions brought up in the article. Here’s an edited version of the interview:
TriplePundit: You wrote, “We are very proud of the rate of acceleration in recent years; given that it took us 10 years to get to 14 percent ...
(Read Full Article)
Responsible Procurement – Renewable Energy – what does your procurement strategy say?
Explore Responsible Procurement (Apr 17 2013)
Renewable Energy – what does your procurement strategy say? Walmart has declared that the company wants to be supplied 100% by renewable energy in the future. I am not sure that this includes their suppliers yet. Though I am sure that the learnings could eventually be transferred to their suppliers. What could you learn? What could you ask your suppliers to do? Walmart is a big company. What are they doing? They are inspiring and can add some great ideas to your procurement sustainability journey.
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Unilever on path to raw material sustainability
Explore Procurement Leaders Network (Apr 17 2013)
With 36% agricultural materials now sourced sustainably, the consumer goods giant has exceeded its interim milestone of 30%, a target that was set in 2010 when the company launched its ’Sustainable Living Plan’. This achievement is a sign that the company on the right path to achieve its aim of doubling the size of its business whilst reducing its environmental footprint and improving its positive social impact. Commenting on the news, Unilever CPO Marc Engel said: "Climate change, water scarcity, unsustainable farming practices, and rising populations all threaten agricultural supplies and food security.
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Mentions: Unilever
DoE to approach small power producers for REIPPPP before year-end
Explore Engineering News (Apr 9 2013)
The Department of Energy (DoE) will, before the end of this year, advertise for small power producers, with projects under 5 MW, to participate in its small-generator programme under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), DoE deputy director-general of energy for programmes and projects Dr Wolsey Barnard said on Tuesday. Speaking at the Power & Electricity World Africa conference, in Sandton, on behalf of Energy Minister Dipuo Peters, he noted that the small-generator programme was designed to stimulate participation of small and emerging project developers.
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Mentions: South Africa Eskom
How to make balanced and sustainable purchasing decisions
Explore greenbiz.com (Apr 3 2013)
Price is often the determining factor when making most product purchasing decisions. However, it’s only one aspect to consider. The sustainability movement has taught us that cost evaluations also involve social and environmental considerations. In other words: How much energy was spent sourcing, creating and distributing the product? What natural resources were impacted? How will the product be disposed? This balance of consideration between social, economic and environmental outcomes comes together....................
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Sustainable Procurement - has UK Government interest waned?
Explore spendmatters.co.uk (Mar 23 2013)
We’ve covered the recent report from the UK National Audit Office on “Improving government procurement” in some depth, but they also recently issued a briefing on sustainable procurement. And it’s a bit of a depressing read for anyone committed to the sustainability agenda, to be honest. We should stress that it is not a full investigative report though – as NAO explains: This briefing has been prepared in response to a request from the Environmental Audit Committee for an update on the Governme
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Sustainable organizations? Start with sustainable procurement
Explore accenture.com (Mar 11 2013)
During the past decade, chief procurement officers have seen their agendas increasingly influenced by issues of sustainability—the environmental, social and corporate governance initiatives by which organizations seek to achieve excellence today while providing for the needs of future generations. Sustainable procurement has risen to become a top priority among companies for several reasons. One important reason is the more intense attention being paid to brand reputations. Although there might be a short-term gain to be had by cutting corners from a social or environmental perspective, markets and consumers may punish companies whose brands let them down.
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Mentions: Africa
The Inside Story of Diageo's Stunning Carbon Achievement
Explore HBR Blog Network (Feb 19 2013)
How the company's North American division cut emissions by 80%. This is the exclusive, short story of how Diageo North America, with creativity and guts, both in operations and in the senior ranks, achieved the holy grail of carbon emissions reductions. They did it without using carbon offsets — and about 38 years earlier than they had to. Here's what scientists are telling us: the world must cut carbon emissions by at least 80 percent from 1990 levels by 2050 to (we hope) avoid the worst of climate change.
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Responsible Procurement – What Maersk Can Learn from Apple on Supplier Responsibility
Explore Responsible Procurement (Feb 5 2013)
What Maersk Can Learn from Apple on Supplier Responsibility RP. Maersk Line just announced that it has reached its 2020 CO2 reduction target – 8 years in advance. Congratulations on that. Almost the same day Apple released it’s Supplier Responsibility Progress report. It made me have a closer look at the different ways these two companies communicate with the consumer and practice supplier responsibility. They both have global coverage and global supply chain challenges
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Mentions: Apple
Sustainable Packaging at Dell
Explore The Triple Bottom Line (Jan 11 2013)
The attitude of many companies is changing when it comes to prioritizing “green” initiatives and focusing attention on sustainability in the supply chain. The effects of climate change are real, the consequences are serious, and businesses are recognizing ways in which they can help.
(Read Full Article)
Mentions: Dell
Levi's cuts toxic chemicals from supply chain
Explore supplymanagement.com (Dec 17 2012)
Following a social media campaign, the jeans manufacturer has committed to phase out hazardous chemicals from its supply chain by 2020. In a statement published last week, the company explained it is committed to attaining “zero discharge of hazardous chemicals” throughout all production procedures in its whole supply chain.
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A World View on Supply Chain and Procurement
Explore apics.org (Dec 7 2012)
In many advanced economies, supply chain management is valued as a unique professional discipline. However, this isn’t universally the case. An article produced by Crown Agents, a U.K.-based development firm, recommends that in many developing nations, supply chain management needs to be elevated. “Effective supply chain management plays a critical role in ensuring funds are well used, value for money in the delivery of basic services is achieved, and transparency and accountability is assured,
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Solar developer sees project scope beyond DoE-led programme
Explore Engineering News (Dec 7 2012)
South Africa’s much-praised Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP) should be seen as only one part of the nation’s renewable-energy opportunity, large-scale solar power plant developer Ciel & Terre South Africa business development manager Yoann Joyeux argues. Addressing industry stakeholders and members of the French South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry this week, Joyeux said that South Africa’s Department of Energy (DoE) was starting to replicate successful foreign renewable-energy initiatives through the REIPPP.
(Read Full Article)
Mentions: South Africa Eskom
Green economy opens opportunities for local manufacturing
Explore Engineering News (Nov 27 2012)
Growing the green economy in South Africa would open a number of opportunities in the manufacturing sector, particularly for solar water heaters, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said on Tuesday. Under the Green Economy Accord, launched last year with an aim of creating 300 000 jobs by 2020, government committed to the installation of one-million solar water heaters by 2014.
(Read Full Article)
Mentions: South Africa Department of Trade and Industry Rob Davies
Shanduka to start on wind power plant
Explore fin24.com (Nov 22 2012)
Cyril Ramaphosa's company Shanduka and its consortium partners will shortly begin construction of a 73.8MW wind power project near Victoria West in the Karoo. The project‚ Noblesfontein Wind Power Project‚ reached financial close earlier this month‚ Shanduka said on Thursday. The project is one of those identified by the Department of Energy as part of the first round of its Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme.
(Read Full Article)
Mentions: Johannesburg Eskom
Five Ways to Evaluate a Supplier
Explore mypurchasingcenter.com (Nov 21 2012)
Your company’s supply chain directly impacts your ability to function as a service or goods provider and earn profits. If you are waiting on supplies or constantly searching for a new supplier, you lose valuable time and focus when it comes to running your business. Here are a few recommended steps that look at the supplier’s financial ratios and give them some context:
Calculate the Supplier’s Profitability Ratios: If a company is not profitable, it likely will not stay in business for long.
(Read Full Article)
Standard Bank commits to renewables
Explore iol.co.za (Nov 7 2012)
Standard Bank has emerged as the leading investor in the first round of the renewable energy independent power producer (REIPP) procurement process‚ backing a total of 11 wind and solar projects. Standard Bank said on Wednesday it will provide comprehensive corporate and investment banking services to all its clients‚ including underwriting R9.4-billion worth of debt‚ providing interest and currency hedges‚ carbon trading credits‚ and corporate bonding and guarantee facilities.
(Read Full Article)
Mentions: South Africa
How buyers can include sustainability in their decisions
Explore Responsible Procurement (Nov 5 2012)
Would you like to get some inspiration to how your buyers can include sustainability in their decisions? Here you go, 4 practical ideas. 1) You could use a TCO (Total cost of ownership model). What will the total cost of ownership be in the period – from ordering to landfill. Read an old blogpost on the TCO. 2) You could create a LCA (Life Cycle Assessment tool). Assessing the impact of a certain product in terms of waste.
(Read Full Article)
Bombardier’s Prasa bid promises 'full localisation' from day one
Explore Engineering News (Nov 2 2012)
International rail equipment manufacturer Bombardier Transportation reports that its tender to supply metro coaches to the State-owned Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) embraces full localisation from day one – a commitment premised on an immediate ramp-up of local manufacturing, engineering and servicing rather than a phased approach involving initial importation. During a visit to South Africa, global president for services Laurent Troger indicated that the group had already deployed similar immediate localisation templates in countries such as India and Brazil and that it was confident the model could be replicated in South Africa.
(Read Full Article)
Mentions: India Brazil South Africa
Renewable energy a dim prospect
Every megawatt of renewable power needs 1MW of fossil or nuclear power as a standby because renewable energy is unreliable, writes David Gleason. South Africa needs cheap and reliable energy, no one could dispute that. But renewable energy is neither. As a wandering albatross that clattered onto my balcony this week told me, it is actually making e-tolls on Gauteng’s freeways look positively good value. The unpalatable truth is that renewable energy is a fad, vigorously promoted by the green community.
(Read Full Article)
Mentions: New York South Africa Singapore
Sustainable Procurement Makes Good Business Sense
Explore LOGISTIC OPERATION (Oct 29 2012)
In this day and age companies have to look to being environmentally friendly in all aspects of their business and in doing so ensure that it is not just the environment which will benefit. To implement sustainable practices there needs to be a pay-off in terms of cutting costs, increasing product sale price, attracting more custom or better staff. According to the awareness group Action Sustainability, between 60 and 80 percent of a company’s total spend is likely to be on their supply chain. Sustainable procurement has therefore become an important part of client and contractor processes and procedures ...
(Read Full Article)
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