🔄 Re-sharing this important take on sustainability in procurement! Too often, sustainability conversations get lost in a sea of “sustainababble”—big commitments, vague targets, and little action. But as this post highlights, real impact comes from engagement, not just expectation-setting. We see this first-hand when working with companies on their supplier sustainability events. The biggest challenge? Cutting through the noise and making sustainability real for suppliers—aligning goals, embedding accountability, and ensuring follow-through. 💡 What works? ✅ Moving beyond reporting and into real collaboration ✅ Making sustainability a two-way conversation, not a top-down directive ✅ Ensuring suppliers have the tools, incentives, and clarity to act The companies leading in sustainable procurement aren’t just setting targets—they’re bringing suppliers into the conversation and co-creating solutions. #Sustainability #SupplierEngagement #Procurement #SupplyChain
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We've all heard it, we've all probably fallen foul of it and used it. It's Sustainababble. Lots of ‘synergies’ this and TCA(totally crappy acroym) that. Sustainababble is a problem because not only is it vague but it's alienating too. Here's some ways you can change your communication to appeal more to business leaders and make it understandable to all. Use Hard Numbers: Quantify cost savings, revenue growth, or risk reduction wherever possible. Set Clear Targets and Timelines: Vague commitments lose credibility; give specific deadlines and checkpoints. Explain the Practical Benefit: Tie sustainability actions directly to operational improvements, new sales channels, talent attraction, or brand differentiation. Avoid Unnecessary Jargon: Swap out buzzwords for straightforward phrases like “reducing waste” or “improving fuel efficiency.” Tell Simple Stories: Bring your strategy to life with short case studies or real examples that show exactly what’s being done and why it matters. Here are some examples: “Synergies” → “We’ll save £1m in energy costs by switching to LED lighting across our factories.” “Circular Economy” → “Next year, we’ll resell 20% of returned goods. That taps new markets and cuts landfill fees.” “Regenerative” → “We’re helping farms adopt low-till practices that save them money and strengthen our supply chain.” “Scope 3 Emissions” → “We’re helping suppliers switch to low-carbon materials, reducing emissions across our supply chain by 30%.” Sustainability isn’t a concept. It’s action. Ditch the vague language, and talk in real business terms: cost savings, risk reduction, and market opportunities. --- ♻️ Repost and follow Gus Bartholomew (Leafr 🌿) for more. 🖐️ Wish your company had instant access to top sustainability experts to tackle your goals? Try Leafr