Retailers are increasingly recognizing the importance of their suppliers in their sustainability stories. To engage and assess suppliers on sustainability performance, many retailers are turning to The Sustainability Insight System (THESIS) and the CDP Supply Chain Questionnaire.
This global beverage container manufacturer was asked to respond to supplier questionnaires from both Walmart (THESIS and Project Gigaton) and Target (CDP). Although the manufacturer had reported to THESIS and CDP in the past, it was now looking to increase its scores and achieve the Project Gigaton “Giga Guru” designation. The company reached out for support engaging its own supply chain and collecting the granular data needed to boost its scores.
Sustainable Business Consulting helped the company understand CDP and THESIS’ supplier reporting requirements, engage its suppliers, collect data, and meet customer expectations. Our team facilitated the following:
- Engaged all tier one suppliers on energy use, water, and waste
- Gathered data on GHG emissions impact across all Scopes
- Identified emissions reduction success stories in own operations and supply chain
- Conducted a sustainability gap analysis to uncover opportunities for improvement
- Examined plastic footprint and identified ways to reduce virgin plastic use
- Created a THESIS and CDP response improvement plan for current year’s submission as well as a longer-term strategy
The company was able to provide more robust, complete disclosure through both THESIS and CDP. With an improvement plan in hand, the manufacturer was ultimately able to boost its CDP score and achieve “Giga Guru” status through Project Gigaton. These efforts helped the company stand out to its retail customers, demonstrate commitment to improving on sustainability issues, and solidify its position as an environmental leader in the industry.
