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There is a sustainability gap between members of Carbon Disclosure Project's (CDP) Supply Chain initiative, and the suppliers of those companies, as a report by CDP and Accenture shows. Most of the CDP members (92 percent) have emissions targets, including big brands like Dell, L'Oreal and Walmart. Not so for their suppliers. Only 38 percent of suppliers said they had emissions targets. About two-thirds of CDP members (69 percent) are investing in emissions reduction measures and energy use reduction, while only 27 percent of suppliers reported investing in both. When it comes to having a climate change strategy, 64 percent of suppliers reported having an integrated climate change strategy. However, only 34 percent report having board-level oversight, while 81 percent of CDP members report having board-level oversight.
The report is based on a CDP survey of companies taken from its fifth annual information request for member companies and their suppliers. CDP sent the information request to 52 large companies in its Supply Chain initiative and over 6,000 of their suppliers. A total of 2,415 companies, including the 52 CDP members, sent back responses.
Perhaps more pressure from the companies who purchase from them would encourage suppliers to adopt sustainability. Only 42 percent of suppliers receiving one invitation report physical risks related to climate change. However, 67 percent of those who received three or more invitations reported risks. "This suggests that as more members reach out to each supplier, the supplier’s performance and awareness of climate change risk improves significantly," the report states.
Image credit: Accenture
Gina-Marie is a freelance writer and journalist armed with a degree in journalism, and a passion for social justice, including the environment and sustainability. She writes for various websites, and has made the 75+ Environmentalists to Follow list by Mashable.com.