Pressure Coming On Supply Chain Sustainability Information Says Probrand

Ongoing green IT research by technology services provider, Probrand, recently found a lack of one consistent green measure is hampering the industry’s approach to inform IT buyers of what is green or not.

Now, trials of product and supply chain reporting standards have concluded across 62 multi-sector manufacturers in 17 countries by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).  A move that Probrand believes will apply pressure to stakeholders and observers of the IT supply chain to more easily provide supply chain sustainability information.

The industry needs to take a pro-active approach to stay ahead of the game says the business.

Two new *Greenhouse Gas Protocols that provide methods to measure emissions associated with product lifecycle and supply chain are due to be published in spring 2011 by the WRI and WBCSD.  Feedback from the six-month trials will be used to    update the draft standards before a public consultation period begins in late September 2010.

Probrand Director of Marketing, Stephen Bushell, said: “Manufacturers are already delivering genuinely sustainable products but simply aren’t being recognised for it as there is no industry standard green measure that can be applied to IT products.

“Additionally, a consistent green measure that accounts for supply chain influences like product miles and related carbon emissions, will enable easier product comparison and benchmarking.  It would empower IT buyers to make a more informed and genuinely sustainable purchasing decision that accounts for total product lifecycle costs.  This is good news for more equitable and sustainable business.

“If these new standards come to pass, then the entire IT supply chain will be challenged to deliver product specific green details and information from deep within the supply chain. 

“Sourcing and providing this information to the end user and IT buyer is a further critical element.  In my opinion this will require an aggregation of supply chain, product and commercial data.  The industry must galvanise to that end.”