Go Green: Sustainability is everyone’s business today, aided by tech

Companies are using AI and cloud to drive the ESG mandate

In order to implement sustainable supply chains, major international corporations like Tetra Pak, Unilever, Apollo Tyres, and homegrown brands like Safexpress are now making thoughtful investments in the environment, social issues, and governance (ESG) and incorporating cutting-edge technology into their business operations. Technology players are assisting clients in advancing their ESG requirements and developing sustainable supply chains at the same time.

Jon S. Chorley, chief sustainability officer and group vice-president, supply chain management product strategy, Oracle, comments on the shifting priorities of business leaders and the function of technology: "Because of its value to businesses, ESG remains a top priority for board members - CIOs, CFOs, CMOs, and CXOs. In addition to discussing the issue, organizations are seeking to technology partners to help them effectively carry out their ESG objectives.

For this reason, we are operationalizing sustainability by including ESG into the fundamental framework of our business activities in finance, production, procurement, and human resources. To obtain the appropriate data at the appropriate degree of granularity, we disseminate data over a single SaaS solution, integrating ESG into routine business operations.

Business executives and consumers are increasingly turning to technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, according to a recent survey by Oracle called No Planet B.

Ewonne Lennartsson, worldwide integrated logistics director, Tetra Pak, shares this opinion. Since we use paper as a raw material, sustainability has been a significant component of our journey from the start, he claims. Our founders stated that a package should save more money than it costs, and we genuinely endeavor to live by that idea. Oracle has been a huge assistance to us in understanding our logistics and what lies ahead. We can now see more the more technology we have.

Businesses adopting technology

Actionable practices are being used by manufacturers and logistics service providers like Unilever, Safexpress, Tetra Pak, and Apollo Tyres to improve sustainability throughout their operations. They are using Oracle's Supply Chain Management system to increase flexibility and encourage environmentally friendly business practices

According to Wendy Herrick, vice-president, Supply Chain - US, Unilever, "We are committed to growing our businesses sustainably with Oracle Transportation Management, Unilever is contributing to a more sustainable supply chain by streamlining shipping, improving communications with providers, and helping reduce CO2 emissions."

Similar to Safexpress, a logistics and supply chain company, 'Go Green' activities are part of Safexpress' commitment to long-term growth and carbon footprint reduction. Through paperless operations, improved accuracy, and overall logistics efficiency, it aimed to achieve agility and sustainability through the deployment of the Oracle WMS platform.

Data is the secret.

Data analysis, data management, and data optimization are some of the activities that are assisting supply chain participants in achieving transparency throughout the supply chain process. Data stays at the centre of how technology is helping businesses optimize their supply networks. This suggests that every step of the process, from planning to manufacturing to delivery, is integrated onto a single cloud platform, making it easier for managers and producers to keep track of everything. By finding, analyzing, and then eliminating unsustainable processes, simplifying the process helps to apply more sustainable practices.

Organizations must be able to gather and analyze data, argues Chorley, in order to report on the results and then start optimizing. Organizations all throughout the world are undergoing that shift. From reporting, or "defense," to optimization, or "offence," there is a movement taking place. The important thing is to take this data just as seriously as you do any other data in the supply chain and ERP systems. Consequently, data management and analysis must be given first-class treatment as a part of corporate operations.

Over time, businesses will be under more pressure to adopt ESG practices and rely more on technology; it is up to the leaders of the sector to take proactive measures.