Supply Excellence — What’s Your Environmental Footprint?

What’s Your Environmental Footprint?

January 3rd, 2007 · by Tim Minahan · No Comments · enviro/social sustainability

Yesterday, I banged the bully pulpit about the need to adopt more environmentally and socially responsible supply strategies. I also shared some examples of companies that are turning sustainable supply approaches into a competitive advantage.

But, in the spirit of a picture is worth a thousand words, I wanted to direct you to an infographic that appeared in a recent issue of Business Week. It illustrates the supply crisis we face, potential solutions, and existing corporate initiatives for sustainability.

Cause for alarm is that, according to Business Week’s research, the world’s “ecological footprint” (i.e., how much land and sea we need to satisfy our consumption and absorb our waste) is 2.2 global hectares (GH) per person. However, the planet can only supply 1.8 GH per person. That means, without change, by 2050 we will have cut the world’s resources in half. I shudder to imagine what that might do to commodity prices and availability.

The encouraging part is that a Pew Center study on Climate Change found that more than 80% of companies view environmental responsibility as an opportunity for further reducing costs, securing supply, and improving company brand, revenues, and profits. See for yourself, here.

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