In today’s competitive business landscape, sustainability isn’t just a trend—it’s becoming a strategic advantage. Companies across industries are increasingly prioritizing sustainability in their supply chains, making it increasingly important for suppliers to enhance their sustainability credentials to win new deals.
Here are six impactful ways for suppliers looking to improve their sustainability credentials and grow their business:
1. Carbon Neutrality or Reduction
Take proactive steps to measure, reduce, and offset carbon emissions throughout your operations and supply chain. Companies are increasingly expected to report on Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions to comply with regulation such as BRSR Core, CBAM, CSDDD and IFRS. Positioning your company as a carbon-reducing supplier can be a significant differentiator in attracting sustainability-minded customers that are working to reduce their overall emissions.
Learn more about Scope 3 emissions that relate to the supply chain here.
Learn more about how Achilles Carbon Reduce can help you both reduce your carbon emissions by up to 50% over 5 years and demonstrate your progress to meet your clients’ requirements.
Read Achilles Carbon Reduction Case Studies
- Morgan Sindall achieves 54% reduction in 6 years
- BAM Group reduces emissions and improves efficiency
- Sisk Group achieves carbon zero certification
2. Supply Chain Transparency
Foster transparency and ethical sourcing practices across your supply chain.
Larger corporations are increasingly looking to achieve deeper supply chain transparency going beyond direct suppliers (Tier 1) to include their suppliers’ suppliers (Tier 2 and beyond). Providing visibility into your own supply chain processes, including sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution, can instil trust and confidence in customers seeking sustainable partners and help you build stronger relationships with greater longevity.
You can learn more about how Achilles’ supply chain due diligence services can support your business here.
3. Circular Economy Practices
Embrace circular economy principles by designing products and packaging for longevity, reuse, and recyclability. Incorporating circular business models into your operations can minimize waste and resource consumption, appealing to B2B customers focused on sustainability.
Implement water-saving measures and promote responsible water management practices in your operations, invest in eco-friendly packaging materials and design strategies to minimize environmental impact and engage your suppliers and partners in initiatives such as closed-loop material flows, where materials are recycled and reintegrated into the production process, reducing the need for virgin resources.
Actions you take to improve your sustainability need to be documented in your environmental policies and processes and maintained. Consider getting these aspects of your business independently verified by a company like Achilles to demonstrate your achievements.
4. Renewable Energy Adoption
Transition to renewable energy sources to power your facilities and operations. Investing in renewable energy infrastructure demonstrates your commitment to clean energy solutions, helps to reduce your GHG emissions and can align your company with B2B customers’ sustainability goals.
Speak to an Achilles carbon management expert about how to embed carbon reduction into your operations.
5. Certifications and Standards
Obtain relevant sustainability certifications and adhere to industry standards to validate your commitment to sustainability. Consider going further with an independent audit of your policies and processes. Independent Certifications and Audits such as those offered by Achilles can provide impartial assurance to customers and prospects of your sustainability performance and create greater levels of market differentiation.
6. Transparency and Reporting
Publish comprehensive sustainability reports to communicate your environmental performance metrics and progress. Providing transparent reporting demonstrates accountability and can strengthen trust with B2B customers seeking sustainable suppliers.
Learn about how Achilles can help you to capture, validate and maintain the data you need and generate up to date and accurate reports that you can share with your customers and prospects to demonstrate your overall sustainability credentials.
By prioritizing sustainability initiatives tailored for B2B markets, suppliers can not only enhance their environmental and social impact but also gain a competitive edge in attracting and retaining the increasingly sustainability-focused market. Investing in sustainability isn’t just a moral imperative—it’s a strategic and commercial imperative for long-term business success in the arena.
Read more about how sustainability can help your business to drive profitability and growth.
