Click here to visit the Sustainable Supply Chain website.

There is a great deal of evidence on the costs, etc. of fixing a problem that turns into a media case. However, there is less evidence on the value of sustainable supply chain management when there are no problems.

Consumer surveys have shown that up to 60% of consumers prefer sustainable products and are willing to pay a moderate additional price. However, when it comes to actually doing it, the fact remains that only very few consumers are actually choosing sustainable products.

This project will explore cases, examples and other empirical data to assess the business case for addressing supply chain sustainability.

This project will explore how business can address supply chain sustainability in a way that fulfils the expectations of important stakeholders while not imposing too many demands on others (e.g. procurement people). Cost-benefit assessments are therefore essential.

The business case for a business to engage with its supply chain (both upstream and downstream) on sustainability issues includes:

Identify opportunities for cost reduction from procurement through to logistics by using expertise, systems and insights to contribute to the efficiency of upstream and downstream suppliers – lowering supplier costs and therefore the business’s own costs.

Gives commercial advantage and can be used as marketing differentiator.

Enhance its ability to establish a chain of custody for all products manufactured or distributed ahead of customer demand and potential legislation.

Enhancing its ability to anticipate future customer requirements and ensure that it and its suppliers respond in a timely manner.

Risk management and Brand protection against consumer, customer and stakeholder backlash and ahead of potential legislation.

An opportunity to ensure the long-term sustainability of its own suppliers.

An opportunity to provide business leadership towards sustainable development by encouraging upstream suppliers to adopt sustainable development values and practices. Supply chain management can be a key mechanism for encouraging small business’ suppliers to adopt sustainable practices. If a customer is demanding sustainable performance it helps small businesses to build their own business case for sustainable development.

The project objective is to “Lead NZ businesses towards embedding sustainability throughout the supply chain”

Supply Chain Project Champions
Richard Lauder (City Care)
Dick Hubbard (Hubbard Foods)
Andy Pearce (Landcare Research)

Supply Chain Active Participants
City Care
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
Hubbard Foods
Landcare Research
NIWA
Sanford Limited
Shell New Zealand
The Warehouse
Urgent Couriers

Sanford is an Active Participant of NZBCSD's Sustainable Supply Chain Project. For further information on this project see Sustainable Supply Chain Project area

NIWA is an Active Participant of NZBCSD's Sustainable Supply Chain Project. For further information on this project see Sustainable Supply Chain Project area

Landcare Research is an Project Champion of NZBCSD's Sustainable Supply Chain Project. For further information on this project see Sustainable Supply Chain Project area

City Care is an Project Champion of NZBCSD's Sustainable Supply Chain Project. For further information on this project see Sustainable Supply Chain Project area

Urgent Couriers is an Active Participant of NZBCSD's Sustainable Supply Chain Project. For further information on this project see Sustainable Supply Chain Project area

Deloittes is an Active Participant of NZBCSD's Sustainable Supply Chain Project. For further information on this project see Sustainable Supply Chain Project area

Shell is an Active Participant of NZBCSD's Sustainable Supply Chain Project. For further information on this project see Sustainable Supply Chain Project area

The Warehouse is an Active Participant of NZBCSD's Sustainable Supply Chain Project. For further information on this project see Sustainable Supply Chain Project area

Hubbards is an Project Champion of NZBCSD's Sustainable Supply Chain Project. For further information on this project see Sustainable Supply Chain Project area