ESG Sustainable Procurement News and Updates
"Technology Software" News Archive
Investments & Collaborations
Technology & Software
Green Skills Gap in the US Workforce Threatens Corporate Sustainability Goals
A widening skills gap in the United States may hinder both corporate and national ambitions to achieve critical climate targets. LinkedIn’s recent Global Green Skills Report reveals that U.S. companies are facing a shortage of “green skills”—from decarbonization expertise to sustainable procurement knowledge—necessary to align with sustainability goals. While demand for green-skilled workers surged over the last year, the supply has struggled to keep pace. The report suggests that the current green talent pool must double if businesses are to support increasingly ambitious sustainability frameworks.
|November 15th, 2024|9:32 AM
Apparel & Textiles
Technology & Software
Adore Me Champions Sustainability with Digital Product Passports
Adore Me, the lingerie brand owned by Victoria’s Secret, is making strides in sustainable fashion through its partnership with CommonShare. Since joining Adore Me’s Sustainability Accelerator last summer, the two companies have collaborated on the implementation of real-time digital product passports (DPPs) for 100 items, with plans to expand this initiative across the entire product range by early 2025.
|November 6th, 2024|1:00 PM
Food & Agriculture
Cameroon Introduces Digital Platform to Strengthen Cocoa Traceability and Meet EU Standards
Cameroon has announced the launch of a digital platform aimed at enhancing cocoa traceability, a move designed to bolster the country's cocoa sector amid rising global demands for sustainable and transparent sourcing.
|September 9th, 2024|5:07 PM
Material Innovation & Circularity
Monica Vinader Launches Fully Traceable Aquamarine Collection in Partnership with Zimbaqua
Demi-fine jewellery brand Monica Vinader has unveiled its first fully traceable aquamarine collection, dubbed Odyssey, in collaboration with Zimbaqua, Africa’s premier women-managed gemstone mine. This launch marks a significant milestone in the brand’s commitment to transparency and sustainability in the gemstone industry.
|August 13th, 2024|3:05 PM
Material Innovation & Circularity
IOTA Unveils Digital Product Passport for Electronics, Pushing Boundaries in Sustainable Recycling
IOTA has launched its latest innovation, the Digital Product Passport (DPP) for electronics, marking a significant stride in sustainable recycling and lifecycle management. This new prototype, developed in collaboration with the Technical University of Catalonia and eReuse, aims to revolutionize transparency and traceability in electronic device recycling.
|August 13th, 2024|3:05 PM
Technology & Software
Advancing Customer Experience and Food Traceability: Wegmans' Leap to 2D Barcodes
Wegmans Food Markets, a pioneer in retail technology, is set to revolutionize customer interaction and food traceability with its latest technological leap. Having introduced barcode scanning to the grocery industry in 1974, Wegmans established itself as an early adopter of innovation, contributing significantly to the development of industry standards.
|August 13th, 2024|3:05 PM
Technology & Software
Active Contracts on VeChain Platform Surge Amid Global Sustainability Drive
VeChain has witnessed a substantial increase in on-chain active contracts as part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability. The protocol is actively exploring innovative ways to encourage and reward users for embracing sustainable practices.
|August 5th, 2024|12:41 PM
Technology & Software
AI and Climate Change Dominate Insurance Industry Priorities
The insurance sector's landscape is evolving, with a recent survey revealing that artificial intelligence (AI) and climate change have ascended to the forefront of industry concerns. The International Insurance Society (IIS) has published its 2024 Global Priorities Survey, which collected insights from nearly 20,000 senior executives worldwide, highlighting key strategic focuses for the year ahead.
|July 18th, 2024|10:16 AM
Technology & Software
Textile Exchange Postpones Launch of eTrackit Traceability System
Textile Exchange, the global non-profit organization focused on sustainable practices, has announced a delay in the rollout of its highly anticipated eTrackit traceability system following a pilot phase.
|July 18th, 2024|10:16 AM
Technology & Software
Google Acknowledges AI's Contribution to Growing Emissions
Google's recent acknowledgment of artificial intelligence (AI) contributing to increased emissions highlights a critical intersection between technology innovation and environmental sustainability, raising pertinent questions for businesses engaged in sustainable procurement.
|July 10th, 2024|9:56 AM
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Apparel & Textiles
Policy, Regulation & Compliance
Cascale EU Omnibus Package Webinar: Implications for Apparel & Footwear Sector
Gain insights into the EU Omnibus Package's impact on the apparel & footwear sector. Discover key implications and strategies for compliance.
|July 18th, 2025|9:40 AM
Technology & Software
Investments & Collaborations
Mastercard 2024 Impact Report: Advancing People, Prosperity, and Planet
Discover how Mastercard is advancing people, prosperity, and the planet in their impactful 2024 report. Learn about their progress towards sustainable growth and inclusive economies.
|July 17th, 2025|1:47 PM
Technology & Software
Policy, Regulation & Compliance
Cascale Report Reveals Gender Pay Gap and HR Strategies for Workplace Equity
Discover insights from the Cascale Report on the gender pay gap and HR strategies for workplace equity. Learn how investing in women-friendly workplaces drives business success.
|July 17th, 2025|12:00 PM
Technology & Software
GoDaddy 2024 Sustainability Report: Innovation Highlights & Advancements
Discover the latest sustainability innovations and advancements in GoDaddy's 2024 report, highlighting cutting-edge solutions and impactful initiatives for a more sustainable future.
|July 17th, 2025|11:26 AM
Food & Agriculture
Investments & Collaborations
Mondelēz 2024 Snacking Made Right Report: Sustainability Progress and Growth Strategies Unveiled
Discover Mondelēz's 2024 Sustainability Progress and Growth Strategies in their Snacking Made Right Report. Learn about their positive impact on people and the planet.
|July 16th, 2025|2:50 PM
Explore Popular Categories to Find Sustainable Business Partners

Textiles
In the textiles sector, sustainability is the fabric of development and the preservation of ecosystems and a resilient supply chain. Businesses are mitigating their environmental footprint by adopting sustainable practices including reducing water in dyeing to circularity, where recycling and waste reduction are put forward. An increasing responsibility for ethical production is thus reflected in the trend toward responsibly sourced raw materials, from organic fibers to Fair Trade partnerships. Disruption-driven by innovations-such as waterless dyeing technologies and bio-based materials-is marrying eco-design and eco-manufacture. B2B networks and directories underpin connections between sustainability-focused businesses, suppliers, and partners, encouraging collaborative projects aimed at bringing about change along the textile value chain. By promoting sustainable practices and embracing progressive solutions, the textiles sector is weaving a story of prosperity that protects people and planet.

Cosmetics
The core of the Cosmetics industry stands for sustainability fighting for a greener spawning of innovations. Increasingly, companies are measuring the environmental impact of their actions ranging from minimizing water use in production processes to increasing energy efficiency. Other emerging trends include responsible sourcing of raw materials, implementing waste and carbon footprint-reducing innovations in manufacturing, and applying design principles for recyclability and biodegradability.
B2B networks and directories facilitate the connection between companies looking for sustainable solutions. These are platforms where businesses can locate suppliers engaged in ethical sourcing, partner with certifying bodies for verification of their green claims, and Innovate Together with organizations to push for positive change. Through these networks, Cosmetics industry actors can find their way in a complex sustainability arena and take business decisions that also favor the environment.

Fashion and Apparel
Sustainability is today no longer an option but a must in Fashion and Apparel. The industry is in a paradigm shift, going down the responsible practices route-from conserving water, energy, and resources. Companies are practicing responsible sourcing, creating new ways of production, and employing design philosophies that are least harmful to the environment. These B2B networks and directories are helping to further this paradigm shift by connecting businesses with suppliers and partners who practice ethical and environmentally mindful practices. With sustainability at the forefront, the Fashion and Apparel industry is not just redesigning its future but also setting an important example for businesses around the world in all industries.
Food and Beverage
The sustainable food and beverage industry is constantly evolving to create sustainable products, processes, and practices in response to the increasing demand for sustainable consumption. Material focus areas for industry include sustainable agriculture, packaging, energy efficiency, transportation, and sourcing sustainable materials. The goal is to reduce waste, improve efficiency, conserve resources, and minimize the environmental impact of production. Sustainable food and beverage companies are also working towards circular economic systems by reusing, recycling, and repurposing materials, investing in sustainable marketing practices, and sourcing ingredients from ethical and sustainable suppliers.
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## 2. Benefits of Sustainability in the Food and Drink Industry
### A. Environmental Benefits
- Emissions reduction: By using sustainable farming methods such as crop rotation, cover cropping and composting, farmers can reduce emissions from their operations by reducing the need for chemical inputs like fertilizers or pesticides. In addition, sustainable farming practices result in healthier soil that can capture more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to fight climate change.
- Renewable energy sources: The sustainable food and beverage industry also leads to less reliance on non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels for energy-intensive activities like refrigeration or transportation. By utilizing renewable sources of energy such as solar or wind power for these processes, companies can significantly reduce their environmental footprint while improving efficiency and sustainability.
- Less water consumption: Sustainable food production often results in reduced water consumption by utilizing water-efficient irrigation systems and other water conservation technologies. Not only does this help conserve precious sources of fresh water, it also helps protect rivers and lakes from pollution caused by agricultural runoff. Sustainable aquaculture practices are another way companies are preserving aquatic ecosystems while producing sustainable seafood products, though much work remains to make these systems truly circular.
- Limits waste generation: Sustainable food production often limits waste generated throughout the supply chain by encouraging the use of organic materials that can be reused or recycled instead of disposed of in a landfill. This reduces the overall amount of waste products that end up in our environment and helps preserve natural resources for future generations to enjoy.
### B. Social Benefits
- Improved access to nutrient-rich foods: Sustainable farming methods often focus on growing a wide variety of plant-based foods rich in vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients which are critical for healthy diets. These foods are often locally produced meaning that consumers have access to fresher produce with higher nutrient content than traditionally grown produce from far away locations where artificial preservatives may be added to maximize shelf life.
- Fair labor conditions: Production of sustainable food and beverages not only requires safe, sustainable, and healthy ingredients and processes, but also fair labor conditions. Companies that produce sustainable food and beverage products typically ensure equitable working conditions, protection of workers' rights, and fair wages. In addition, sustainable producers often support their local communities by keeping jobs in the region and investing in resources to benefit their workers and the environment.
### C. Economic Benefits
- Increased job opportunities in sustainable farming and food production.
- Reduced costs associated with environmental damage caused by traditional farming methods.
- Higher profits due to increased demand for sustainable products.
- Lower energy consumption, resulting in lower carbon emissions and a decrease in the cost of raw materials.
## 3. Producing Sustainable Food and Drinks
### A. Materials & Inputs:
Increasing common inputs for sustainable food and beverages include:
- Organic or local ingredients such as grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat, fish, herbs, and spices.
- Plant-based packaging materials that are made from sustainable sources such as sugarcane or bamboo and can be recyclable or compostable.
- Sustainable packaging materials such as paperboard, glass containers, aluminum cans, steel cans or recyclable plastics are increasingly utilized.
- Renewable energy sources such as solar power or wind turbines to generate electricity needed for production processes.
### B. Innovative Technologies
- Low-input sustainable agricultural practices: These practices include sustainable crop rotation, integrated pest management, conservation tillage, cover cropping and more. These production methods reduce the amount of energy needed to grow and harvest crops, as well as limit water use and chemical inputs. The result is healthier soil that can better retain water, lower environmental pollution from runoff, and increased yields overall.
- Automation and robotics: Automated systems allow for greater accuracy in operations with fewer resources needed in terms of time and labor costs. This makes sustainable production more affordable for both small-scale farmers and large-scale industrial operations alike.
## 4. Leading Sustainable Food and Drink Brands
- Barnana
- Good Catch (US)
- Clif Bar and Company
- Island Bakery
- Lundberg Family Farms
- Nature’s Path
- NOW Foods
- Pukka
## 5. Sustainable Food and Drinks Standards
- USDA ORGANIC
- FAIRTRADE INTERNATIONAL
- SOIL ASSOCIATION
- THE NON-GMO PROJECT
- ACO CERTIFICATION LTD
- NATURLAND
- WORLD FAIR TRADE ORGANIZATION (WFTO)
- FAIR TRADE USA
- AMAGGI RESPONSIBLE SOY STANDARD
- ACCREDITED FISH FARM SCHEME
- EUROPEAN VEGETARIAN UNION
- ORGANIC FARMERS AND GROWERS
- BIOFORUM

Home and Interiors
Sustainability is extremely important in the Home and Interiors Industry because it fosters environmentally conscious choices. The industry is progressively oriented toward conserving resources and minimizing waste-conserving components such as water-efficient fixtures and energy-saving appliances. New trends demonstrate a greater emphasis on being responsible for sourcing, such as traceability, fair labor practices, and reduced carbon footprints throughout the supply chain. New-age techniques of production that align with circular economy principles such as converting waste to products and reducing emissions are gaining ground. Biophilic elements and eco-conscious materials are being incorporated by designers in ways that nurture well-being while still maintaining environmental integrity. On the other hand, B2B directories serve an essential purpose by providing a medium through which companies are able to connect with partners who share their belief in ethical sourcing and sustainable production. Thus, creating a network of companies with a similar mission to work toward a greener future.

Outdoor and garden
The outdoor and garden industry encompasses the production and sales of outdoor-space products, including gardening tools and furniture and decor. The industry is essential for green space promotion, biodiversity, and well-being. Some major sustainability trends include using eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient designs, and water conservation practices. Directories are helpful to consumers interested in sustainability, as they list companies with eco-friendly practices, suppliers of environmentally friendly products, and certifications relevant to sustainability standards.