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An evolving subject

One of the main characteristics of sustainability is how quickly the topic progresses. The discussion begins with our CSO reflecting on the eight years since his role was established within HH Global.

“When we originally started, we realized we needed a focal point. And that’s where the role of Chief Sustainability Officer came into play. It was just one person, me. We’ve come a long way since then, but it was really a moment in time where our CEO said, we need someone just to focus on this area and build capability to learn.”

King’s Business School recognizes the part it can play in this “constant learning journey”. It already includes compulsory ethics and sustainability modules in all its undergraduate business programs. And it continues to expand its range of executive education to help people learn more about how they can develop their own businesses more sustainably. It’s all geared toward creating the sustainability experts of the future.

All eyes on the supply chain

Part of the evolution of sustainability as a discipline is companies starting to realize sustainability extends beyond their own immediate business. Dr. Tilley:

“One of the things we’re seeing now is a lot more attention by companies on the social and environmental issues in the supply chain.”

It’s a truth not lost on HH Global, Kevin explains.

“Organizations have realized their own impact within the four walls of their own organization is within their control. But the majority of their emissions and carbon impact, if we just think about the environment for a second, is outside of the four walls of their business.”

The role of technology

If the aim is greater transparency, technology holds the key to how organizations can start to achieve it.

Kevin, again:

“In the early days, there were spreadsheets flying around in every direction. The subject has now matured to a point where there are some big, commonly used platforms to help organizations gather information around their supply chain.”

“Using tech is essential to scale anything. It gives you automation, consistency, data and insights. But I think it’s the way you deploy the tech. That’s key.”

Celebrating the wins

Improvement certainly starts by shining a light on all facets of the supply chain. But this is not about shaming companies that still have a long way to go. On the contrary, it’s about promoting positive change.

“There’s a big focus on risk,” explains Kevin. “But we also like to look at the other side of that coin: the opportunity.” For example, HH Global uses its Sustainable Procurement Framework to help partners take stock of their progress. “We don’t have gold, silver, bronze when evaluating sustainability maturity. If you’re a beginner, you’re emerging. If you’re getting better, you’re evolving. If you’re starting to have policies and targets, sustainability is becoming embedded. We’re trying to say, there isn’t a bad place as long as you’re on the journey.”

A collaborative outlook

This supportive, collective approach is also critical to creating more sustainable organizations. By its very nature, a challenge like sustainability involves many different stakeholders. And it will take their diverse knowledge to come up with solutions.

“I think the word ‘supplier’ is quite brutal” says Kevin. “We prefer to call them a strategic supplier partner. We like to think it’s about collaborating.”

This spirit of collaboration is precisely the reason Dr. Tilley invites people like Kevin on to the Connections podcast. For her, it’s all about “working with organizations beyond the boundaries of the university to ensure that ideas turn into action.”

One destination. Myriad journeys.

While sharing experiences is important, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. “Every organization has to look at itself, first of all” says Kevin. “And then say, what are the impacts it has from its products and services and its supply chain and its stakeholders? … ‘Where can we make a difference as an organization?’ … And then focus on the big areas.”

Sustainability will no doubt continue to evolve as a topic and a discipline for many years to come. As it does, organizations like King’s Business School and HH Global will continue to drive for the positive, collective steps to meet the challenge.

Interested to learn more? You can listen to the full podcast episode, featuring Kevin and Dr. Tilley, here.