Sustainability is increasingly emerging as one of the biggest buzzwords in the world today, presenting both opportunities and challenges for businesses amidst the growing demand for accountability and transparency when it comes to sustainability.

Held at Conexus Studio on 6 August 2024, our second Desk Dialogues session featured Dr. Yasser Mattar, ESG expert, published author and the Head of Curriculum at TÜV SÜD, who shared insights on how businesses can achieve sustainable growth through green procurement. TÜV SÜD is an expert in safety, security, and sustainability solutions with over 150 years of experience.

Building a Sustainable Business Starts with Green Procurement

“Everyone has got to play their part along the supply chain to reap the benefits,” said Dr. Mattar. “We want to tap on the planet’s resources over a longer period of time while minimising the impact on people – stakeholders who impact how we run our businesses.”

During the workshop, he highlighted the ethical and environmental reasons behind the need for sustainable procurement, how companies can benefit from being more purpose-driven, and the importance of future proofing supply chains for long-term growth. Participants learnt more about the existing frameworks aimed at improving sustainability and picked up tips on how to integrate sustainable procurement into their business practices.

- Spurring sustainable development in Singapore amidst global efforts: Strengthening our nation's commitments under the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and Paris Agreement, the Singapore Green Plan 2030 focuses on promoting sustainable living and a green economy for a more resilient future. This is put into action through creating more green spaces and buildings, reducing waste, improving energy efficiency and encouraging more sustainable transport options like EVs, while boosting food security and climate adaptation measures.
- Achieving sustainability involves a holistic approach: Through balancing environmental, social and economic considerations, organisations can better meet current needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their own needs, ensuring the long-term health and well-being of people and the planet.
- Driving positive change and financial success: With the increased demand for sustainable products from discerning consumers, organisations looking to create long-term business sustainability and growth should adopt the Triple Bottom Line strategy, which prioritises people and the planet beyond profits. Companies can explore using renewable or recycled materials, supporting local communities and spearheading innovation to create more sustainable products and services.
- Incorporating sustainable procurement into business processes: Beyond considering their environmental and social impact through greenhouse gas accounting and life cycle assessment, organisations should also evaluate suppliers not just on cost and quality, but also their environmental and social performance throughout the supply chain.
- Engaging suppliers for greater sustainability: Organisations can positively influence suppliers through joint collaborations to build capabilities in sustainable practices, encourage suppliers to share ESG data and performance metrics to identify areas of improvement and track progress, and incentivise suppliers that demonstrate significant sustainability performance and improvement.

Fostering Connections for Greater Sustainability

To round off the evening, industry professionals engaged in lively discussions about how they navigate their own sustainability journey and combat challenges over canapés and drinks at Conexus Studio’s breakout café space, a central hub for connection and collaboration.

We look forward to see you at our future Desk Dialogues sessions – join us as we explore key topics revolving around the future of work and how we can create positive impact in an ever-evolving landscape!