This Community of Interest brought together stakeholders from several industries to explore how companies can collaborate to collect and share sustainability data, delivering measurable improvements across global supply chains.
APPROACH
The Community of Interest followed a nine-month process comprising the following phases:
Formulating hypotheses about the key data challenges related to supply chain sustainability.
Validating these challenges through stakeholder interviews.
Testing data sharing and analysis for a sample of metrics (aluminium, recycled content, local sourcing, cybersecurity).
Developing a framework to assess sustainability opportunities and threats using shared data.
INSIGHTS
Supply chains are extensive and amorphous. They also encompass many companies within their ecosystems and, if left unchecked, can potentially cause significant harm in terms of sustainability.
Data is one of the essential levers to consider when beginning to manage sustainability.
Access to data and participation took longer than expected, highlighting the need for longer timeframes and internal advocates.
Building trust through relationships and transparency is essential to data sharing.
A lack of standardisation and changing requirements create challenges for suppliers.
Sustainability is not limited to the environment and pollution; it rests on environmental, social, economic and governance pillars.
Prioritising high-impact areas makes it possible to move forward despite obstacles.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Secure senior leadership buy-in and dedicated resources.
Allow more time for data collection and sharing, and ensure that internal advocates are in place.
Explain how data will be used, protected and anonymised.
Identify common objectives and definitions.
Focus first on the areas with the greatest risks and impacts.
Develop partnerships and standards to increase transparency.
Adopt flexible regulations that enable progress.
Despite the challenges, voluntary collaboration can provide valuable insights into supply chain sustainability. With leadership commitment, trust and access to reliable data, companies can pave the way for data-sharing partnerships that deliver measurable progress in improving supply chain sustainability.
