You're facing sustainability conflicts with suppliers. How do you ensure they align with your objectives?

Conflicts along the supply chain is inevitable and must be treated by using 1 of the following 5 strategies, all depending on the urgency and impact: avoidance, accomodation, competition, collaboration &/or compromise. If not resolved, it will be the downstream suppliers and customers (internal and external) who will suffer. I suggest that we: 1) adopt a total supply chain view perspective, from initial source to last consumption. 2) consider the total cost of ownership (not just one link) 3) emphasize on the 2 primary objectives of any supply chain: optimise cost & level of service. 4) respect the 7 secondary objectives of any supply chain: quality, volume flexibility, location, technology use, product flexibility, timing & ESG concerns.

First and foremost, avoid overwhelming your supplier with endless and unfounded demands. Look for leverage opportunities using the Pareto method, focusing on the most significant causes of emissions. It's crucial that these demands make sense within the supplier's value chain. Set realistic and reasonable goals, and condition the payment flow on the provision of sustainability information and evidence that the agreed-upon measures are being met.

Avalie as necessidades de sustentabilidade de sua empresa e como os fornecedores podem atendê-las. Identifique áreas-chave onde a colabora??o pode ser mais eficaz.

Develop a Sustainable Business Strategy: Align your sustainability goals with your mission statement to ensure profitability. Assess Suppliers' Sustainability: Check if suppliers comply with laws, reduce pollution, promote recycling, manage chemicals responsibly, and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Foster Open Dialogue: Collaborate with key players to boost credibility and encourage suppliers to share their sustainability efforts.

To address sustainability conflicts with suppliers and ensure alignment with our objectives, initiate clear communication about our sustainability goals and expectations. Assess the suppliers' current practices and work collaboratively to identify and implement improvements. Offer incentives and support, such as resources or training, to help them meet our standards. Regularly monitor their performance through audits to ensure ongoing compliance. If necessary, explore alternative suppliers who are more aligned with our sustainability objectives. By fostering open dialogue and providing the necessary support, we can effectively align our suppliers with our sustainability goals and drive meaningful progress.

En nuestro caso que tenemos mucho subcontratistas peque?os, más que dialogo es una comunicación e información de cuáles son nuestros objetivos generales y nuestros compromisos en materia de sostenibilidad. Luego en función del alcance de los servicios prestados, y su afección al medioambiente, marcamos unos primeros pasos con acciones y tareas para que puedan iniciar sus primeros cambios. Se trata de acompa?arles y sumarles a nuestros objetivos, algo fundamental si queremos reducir nuestro alcance 3 de la huella de carbono.

One thing I found useful is to set expectation early, from the supplier qualification stage we onboard or source from the vendors who have a shared vision or goals. In the contract we also need to bee clear on how the metrics are measured and strike a balance between the economic and sustainability performance as it is still expensive to be sustainable

To achieve proper understanding, there is need for 1. Regular and consistent discussions about Sustainability performance, addressing matters arising,and setting proper goals. 2. Channels of communication must be established to enhance clear communication in such a way that suppliers can understand your Sustainability focus. 3. Open dialogue must be encouraged through active listening to concerns raised by suppliers and responses should be promptly. 4. Relevant information must be shared regarding the Sustainability goals of your organisation. Agreed, dialoguecreates trust, resolved issues as soon as possible and at the long run, ensures suppliers are aligned with organisational Sustainability objectives.

Perhaps I am too "practical." the color isn't quite right. I could place a huge question mark at the end of that sentence. If the color was not complying with a specification, I could appreciate redirecting the material. Otherwise. I might sound sarcastic and will refrain from that vein. I am sure you get my drift.

Mantenha um diálogo aberto e honesto com os fornecedores. Discutir suas metas e ouvir suas preocupa??es ajuda a encontrar solu??es que beneficiem ambas as partes.

To set and enforce standards, ESG/ Sustainability clauses in supplier contracts should be utilised. Depending on the circumstances of each case, these clauses can cover a range of terms, such as sustainable transportation, sustainable packaging, and ethical sourcing. They can also include auditing and inspection rights, conflict resolution mechanisms, and termination provisions for sustainability non-compliance. By incorporating these clauses, you ensure that sustainability commitments are legally binding and enforceable.

Estabele?a padr?es claros de sustentabilidade que os fornecedores devem seguir. Isso inclui requisitos específicos em termos de materiais, práticas de produ??o e responsabilidade ambiental.

Pour garantir que nos fournisseurs respectent nos objectifs de durabilité, nous établissons des normes claires et détaillées. Ces normes couvrent les pratiques environnementales, sociales et de gouvernance que nous attendons. Nous intégrons ces exigences dans nos contrats et réalisons des audits réguliers pour vérifier la conformité. En outre, nous fournissons des ressources et du soutien pour aider nos fournisseurs à atteindre ces standards, tout en restant ouverts à leurs retours pour continuellement améliorer nos critères.

Introduce an Incentive Program that rewards suppliers for exceeding sustainability goals. Offer benefits like preferred partnership status, financial bonuses, or co-branding opportunities for those who innovate and align closely with your sustainability objectives. This encourages proactive engagement and transforms sustainability from a requirement into a valuable business opportunity for your suppliers.

Trabalhe em estreita colabora??o com os fornecedores para desenvolver e implementar práticas sustentáveis. A colabora??o contínua facilita o alinhamento de objetivos e práticas.

Nous travaillons en partenariat avec eux pour comprendre leurs défis et co-développer des solutions durables. Cela inclut des ateliers, des formations et un soutien technique continu pour améliorer leurs pratiques. En renfor?ant cette relation collaborative, nous alignons leurs actions sur nos objectifs et créons une cha?ne d'approvisionnement plus durable et résiliente.

Monitoring is absolutely vital as it depicts due diligence on your part. Besides being an excellent strategy to avoid sustainability risks, monitoring proves most useful in legal conflicts, especially when determining the extent of your liability. Consistent monitoring ensures you are proactive in addressing issues and maintaining high standards, which is crucial for both operational integrity and legal compliance.

Monitore regularmente o progresso dos fornecedores em rela??o às metas de sustentabilidade. Relatórios periódicos e auditorias ajudam a garantir a conformidade.

Nous mettons en place un système rigoureux de surveillance des progrès. Cela inclut des indicateurs de performance clés, des audits réguliers, et des rapports périodiques. Nous utilisons des outils de suivi pour mesurer leur conformité avec nos critères de durabilité et effectuons des évaluations continues pour identifier les domaines nécessitant des améliorations. Ce suivi constant nous permet de réagir rapidement en cas de non-conformité et de travailler avec nos fournisseurs pour rectifier les écarts.

Adjusting strategies also means being willing to move on and change suppliers as required by your business and sustainability needs. If your current suppliers pose significant business and sustainability risks, it may be necessary to find alternatives. Longstanding business relationships are valuable, but your sustainability strategy shouldn't be sacrificed for them. Prioritising sustainability can sometimes mean making tough decisions to ensure your business remains aligned with its long-term goals and values.

Esteja disposto a ajustar estratégias conforme necessário. A flexibilidade permite abordar desafios inesperados e melhorar continuamente as práticas sustentáveis.