Sustainable Development
By Sandra Desouza
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Companies are becoming more concerned with their environmental footprint and how they are impacting the environment. Many businesses are implementing sustainable practices within their supply chain by adopting practices to support their corporate social and environmental responsibilities.
By focusing on improving individual operations and movements to increase the efficiency of transportation we can improve operational efficiency, minimise risk, reduce waste and decrease our environmental impact.
As shippers, we cannot control everything, but we are responsible for managing clients’ expectations and ensuring their exhibits make it from location to location. There are many sustainable solutions within the transportation and logistics industry we can adopt to lower our carbon footprint;
Reducing energy & waste products;
Products have a finite life expectancy, and inefficiency in transportation results in the replacement of these items at a faster rate, contributing to the loss of sustainability. Exhibitions in the past have been known to be wasteful, but over time have gradually become more sustainable. Venues now provide facilities for recycling many different materials, exhibitors are reducing their reliance on literature and brochures, and stand designers are creating modular re-useable eco-friendly designs instead of bespoke stands used for one event. By making small changes affecting the lifecycle of products, using green suppliers, smart utility management, eliminating waste, recycling, using eco-friendly re-useable designs a business can function without increasing their carbon footprint.
Reduce emissions & greenhouse gases;
The transportation of goods releases greenhouse gases and fuel emissions. By Streamlining routes and reducing miles this would reduce delivery times and carbon emissions. Using hybrid and electric vehicles can also be an alternative option for transporting goods in an eco-friendly manner.
Improving Customer Perception;
If a company has sustainable practices in place, customers’ view this as having little impact on the environment, therefore the business and brand is viewed in a more positive light. Customers do tend to be more inclined to use a product or service that is more environmentally aware.
Governmental regulations & SDGs;
Government regulations and the UN Social Development Goals have a basic objective of ensuring future generations the resources to survive, and we should share this responsibility to protect the world for future generations. Undertaking a risk assessment of your business, including supply chains and third-party business relationships, will help you understand the risks and the impact your business has on each of the SDGs. It can help focus and prioritise your objectives to make a positive difference.
At Premier Showfreight we recognise the adoption of business standards & best practice which provides a sound basis for ‘sustainable development’. In this evolving marketplace, the freight forwarder is likely to find their role changing to incorporate these sustainable practices.
Sustainability is an ongoing process and will provide significant benefits for the future. By managing and improving environmental, social and economic performance throughout supply chains, companies can conserve resources, optimize processes, uncover product innovations, save costs, increase productivity and promote their corporate values.
