ESG Sustainable Procurement News and Updates
"Sustainable Business" News Archive
WRAP's Plastics Pact 2025 Progress: A Call for Urgent Regulation as Targets Loom
WRAP acknowledges substantial progress in the Plastics Pact 2025 initiative but concedes that vital targets may not be achieved by 2025.
|January 25th, 2024|11:26 AM
Everything You Need to Know About Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for Sustainable Business Practices
EPDs provide standardized, verified information on a product's environmental impact, essential for informed decision-making and comparison, based on ISO14025 standards and comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment studies.
|March 19th, 2024|2:46 PM
Bananatex Crafts Compostable Jerseys from Abacá Banana Plants
Bananatex revolutionizes the textile industry with its eco-friendly jersey fabric made from Abacá banana plants, earning recognition at the Dezeen Awards 2023 and showcasing the company's ongoing commitment to sustainable fashion.
|January 5th, 2024|11:37 AM
Decoding Double Materiality: Unveiling its Significance and Impact
The evolving discussion on double materiality holds significant implications for accounting standards and finance, with the IFRS set to determine its direction before COP26, shaping the path towards a net-zero economy.
|March 11th, 2024|7:03 PM
EU Forges Accord on Corporate Responsibility, Setting New Standards for Global Businesses
The European Union has achieved a landmark provisional agreement, requiring large companies in the bloc to proactively tackle adverse environmental and human rights impacts in their supply chains through the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).
|December 18th, 2023|8:48 AM
DMD Systems Recovery Earns 25% Improvement in B Corp™ Score for Sustainable ITAD Services
DMD Systems Recovery, LLC. (DMD), a reuse-first ITAD services provider, proudly announces that after a thorough reassessment by B Lab™, DMD's B Impact Assessment™ jumped over 20 points, achieving a total score of 103.
|April 11th, 2024|12:36 PM
GreenBlue’s SPC Engage 2023: A Deep Dive into Retailers' Sustainable Commitments
Join SPC Engage 2023 on December 6th - 7th for a transformative deep-dive into retailers' sustainability efforts, where attendees will explore how SPC’s Pillars drive tangible change in sustainable packaging for retailers navigating diverse challenges.
|November 30th, 2023|12:44 PM
US Court Temporarily Halts SEC Climate Disclosure Rule Pending Review
The Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has temporarily halted the SEC's new climate disclosure rule, signaling a pivotal moment in the debate over mandatory reporting of climate risks and GHG emissions by companies.
|March 21st, 2024|3:54 PM
UNEP FI's Approach to CSRD/ESRS Compliance and Impact Management
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) mandates companies to adhere to the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), facilitating disclosure of social and environmental data as per updated regulations
|April 11th, 2024|2:14 PM
Leveraging Supply Chain Mapping for Sustainable Operations: Prioritizing Risks and Opportunities
CommonShare's platform revolutionizes supply chain visibility by streamlining compliance and facilitating efficient supply chain tracing, ensuring accurate mapping of detained goods' journeys and enabling companies to streamline compliance efforts.
|March 13th, 2024|2:48 PM
Our Community
Global Fashion Manufacturer Hansae Wins Corporate ESG Grand Prize at K-ESG Management Awards
Hansae, the grand prize winner in the Comprehensive ESG sector for the ‘Manufacturing, Wholesale, and Import/Export of Textiles and Textile Products’ business division, was recognized for its differentiated ESG performance.
|March 22nd, 2024|1:33 PM
Climate, Nature, and Biodiversity: How Businesses Are Adapting to Regulatory Pressure
The forthcoming two-day Innovation Forum conference will delve into the critical sustainability challenges in commodity supply chains, focusing on navigating evolving legislation and its practical implications for farmers, forests, biodiversity, and nature.
|September 6th, 2023|11:25 AM
BBB Industries Releases 2023 Corporate Sustainability Report, Showcasing Company's Commitment to Sustainable Activities and Performance
BBB Industries, LLC (BBB), a leading sustainable manufacturer serving the automotive and industrial markets, published its 2023 Corporate Sustainability Report (CSR), highlighting the company's sustainable activities and performance.
|March 26th, 2024|5:06 PM
Technology & Software
How Cloud ERP and AI Are Driving Continuous Sustainability
Cloud ERP and AI are transforming sustainability from annual goals into real-time, data-driven strategies embedded across enterprise operations.
|May 12th, 2025|5:30 PM
JLR Launches Sustainability Innovation Challenge To Engage Innovators For Pioneering Mobility And Automotive Solutions
JLR has launched its first Sustainability Innovation Challenge, to engage innovators, startups and other organisations in developing and collaborating on sustainable solutions for the luxury mobility sector.
|June 10th, 2024|5:18 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.