This article is sponsored by Dakota Software.
The corporate sustainability programs of many companies saw 2015 marking the beginning of a new set of goals, which would seem to suggest that such programs are maturing, according to a new report from the National Association for Environmental Management (NAEM). Of particular interest, the report found, is the fact many of these programs now focus on intended outcomes rather than actions alone. The report, Planning for a Sustainable Future, pinpoints shifts that are expected to happened in EHS&S management in the year to come. Based on NAEM's annual outreach among its companies, it pinpointed a number of trends the industry can expect to see in 2016.
Supply chains will be the focus of many companies. Since every company not only has a supply chain but belongs to a supply chain, customer requirements are a strong motivator of change. Walmart’s sustainability goals, for example, are driving changes across the business ecosystem for advancements in green chemistry, fertilizers and supply chain transparency. This trend is going beyond consumer-facing brands as business customers increasingly expect suppliers to provide transparency and operate in a way that aligns with their own sustainability goals. In order to improve supply chains, companies need give them focused attention, creative solutions, and engagement, the report suggests.
Other trends pinpointed include the following:
The complimentary report, offered by Dakota Software, can be downloaded here.
