Sustainability: The next step in the creation of credibility
There are many major companies leading the way when it comes to work on and reporting of sustainability activities, and a large proportion of these international companies are already climate-neutral right now. Many have long-term goals that are communicated in financial statements and reports, but there are a number of measures that can create even higher levels of credibility in connection with sustainability work.
Digital tools help create transparency in field of sustainability
Transparent data can enable businesses and stakeholders to work together to identify solutions that are sustainable in the long term. But becoming a more transparent company does require your business to use digital tools in the right way. If all data is analysed, your organisation can identify those areas where the environmental impact is greatest – which in turn means you can identify more sustainable alternatives in work processes.
Many businesses in Sweden currently have the opportunity to become more transparent and can learn lessons from those companies that took action at an early stage to become more credible. A number of major companies are members of the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), which aims to implement CSR activities in the businesses’ global supply chains. Transparency is a top priority for members and stakeholders involved in these organisations.
Small to medium-sized enterprises work actively with transparent reporting to provide an account of work within their business. This has resulted in increased loyalty and greater engagement among consumers.
In the field of retail, most companies focus on transparency in the production and supply chain. When everything is measured using digital tools, it becomes easier to produce reports and make sustainable decisions. Many municipal authorities report specifically to the digital tool known as the Environmental Barometer through transparent reporting of the sustainability work that they are undertaking.
From ambitions to action
Much of the focus is often directed at reporting the long-term goals, which is important. But to create credibility, it is also important for many companies to work with sustainability in their day-to-day operations. IT solutions enable efficient, climate-smart business processes and make it possible to undertake sustainable initiatives that result in action. Here are a few examples of how digitalisation enables sustainability in different industries:
Sustainable procedures in the field of logistics
Intelligent transport systems enable more efficient transport routes, which ultimately reduces carbon dioxide emissions. With the aid of VMS, connection and better real-time information supplied by transport systems, businesses can make sure that deliveries take place with the least possible environmental impact as an outcome. As an IT resource in the field of logistics and transport, it is important to offer support and make sure that these activities are maintained.
Retail enables efficient, environment-friendly processes
Retail companies face strict demands when it comes to sustainability work, so IT departments need to maintain the systems that have been implemented and that enable more environment-friendly processes. In the field of retail, data is used to collect information about purchasing and production. Systems can schedule purchasing activities on the basis of purchase data collected, measuring exactly what is in demand. Automated orders and deliveries make the manufacturing process more productive, reducing resource consumption and emission levels.
In our report, you can read more about how your business can make use of digital tools and IT solutions in your sustainability work. Read it here.