Issues - SCP Issues for Business & Industry

Global supply and value chains

A powerful way of engaging companies from all regions, including small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), in social and environmental improvements is through the integrated management of global supply and value chains.

Business and industry are key players in the SCP agenda. They are at the core of production and are also key organizational consumers. As the most important driving forces for innovation, they focus their efforts and investments on perceived profit opportunities. These in turn are shaped by consumer preferences and new markets, but also conditioned by evolving government policies and regulations.

Responsible business and industry operations can play a major role in improving resource efficiency, driving economic growth, enhancing social well-being, minimizing waste and environmental impacts.

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This paper deals with how sustainability issues are being mainstreamed into modern business practices and paradigms. It discusses, among other things,

  1. public-private partnerships,
  2. integrating SCP into supply and value chains,
  3. investor engagement,
  4. responses to consumer demand for sustainable products,
  5. SCP innovation by business and industry, and
  6. continuing challenges.