The Ultimate Guide to: Sustainable Supply

@specialityfood 16 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH USEFUL RESOURCES ● HREDD (HUMAN RIGHTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL DUE DILIGENCE) Identify and address your business’s environmental impact by conducting this structured process, which is increasingly required by law ● OECD GUIDELINES If you work across multiple territories, refer to the OECD guidelines around re sponsible business conduct – these are not legally binding but are a useful reference point ● UNITED NATIONS GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS A global standard for protecting human rights and safeguarding responsible business practices ● FAIRTRADE’S SHARED IMPACT A modern approach to sourcing which promotes collaboration throughout supply chains to minimise the impact of shared challenges ● WRAP A valuable collection of resources and reports to help businesses take positive action NEXT STEPS Now you’re genned up on the value of sustainable supply chains, it’s time to evolve your own – here’s how SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHECKLIST Act on the below key areas to improve the sustainability of your supply chain ● AUDIT YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN Gen up on sustainability of businesses you collaborate with ● FOSTER MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS Build relationships beyond transactions and work together for a sustainable future ● INTEGRATE SMART TECHNOLOGY AI can be used to analyse data more efficiently than manpower, and to balance business requirements with environmental impact ● BALANCE COST AGAINST BENEFIT Invest in making your operations more sustainable and tailor your evolution for your mission and audience ● MAKE SUSTAINABILITY A CORE FOCUS Embed your business’s environmental goals into its strategy, and consider working from the ground up rather than inserting into established models ● COMMUNICATE YOUR EFFORT Keep your audience and collaborators informed of your sustainability endeavours CONSIDER B CORP The modern, widely recognised mark represents a new chapter in sustainable business – and the latest B Corp standards are now live to help you shape your operations for better Tom Ebbutt, director of Impact at B Lab UK, explains: “At B Lab, we recognise that environmental stewardship within supply chains is critical to advancing a regenerative economy, and food system. We recently launched new B Corp standards which place greater emphasis on sustainable resource use, circular design, and responsible procurement practices. By embedding these principles into their operations and governance, food brands can not only contribute to tackling the climate crisis and reversing biodiversity loss but also strengthen long-term value creation and stakeholder trust. We look forward to supporting B Corps and businesses within the food sector to meet our new standards, coming into effect in 2026.”