How to engage your supply chain for true sustainability

Fewer than half of organizations believe they’re on par or ahead of their peers in achieving their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.¹ If you’ve been hearing a lot about climate impact reports; diversity, equity, and inclusion programs; and data privacy policies, you’re not alone.

While focusing on sustainability internally is a good start, it doesn’t encapsulate the entire reach of your organization’s carbon footprint. To measure true environmental impact, look to where it’s estimated a majority of that is—your supply chain partners.²

So, how do you get started? We’ve got a few ideas:

1. Define your sustainability goals and align with your vendors

• Conduct a materiality assessment to determine your priorities
• Find out if your vendors have identified their top priorities
• Select supply chain partners who have strong sustainability programs in place and capabilities to assist you with your own goals

Think of it this way: If your organization wants to reach zero carbon emissions, vendors that strengthen those efforts through their own operations can help you reach that goal.

2. Sync up data efforts

• Collect activity data from your organization and calculate its impact
• Request sustainability data from your supply chain vendors
• Incorporate data from your supply chain into your own reporting

It’s not enough to have similar priorities. Ask your vendors if they provide access to data that will help you stay accountable to your goals.

3. Build vendor relationships

• Connect with vendors to discuss how to work together on shared goals
• Suggest combined ways to support each other’s efforts and reduce climate impact
• Reap benefits like cost reductions, business opportunities, and innovation, while promoting positive change with vendors

Through regular outreach to discuss climate initiatives, you create stronger vendor relationships and can adjust operations on either side to enhance joint efforts.

If your organization hasn’t considered the impact of your supply chain on your environmental goals, you’re not behind. While over 200 of the world’s largest public companies have committed to a net-zero pledge, only 33% include suppliers in their reporting. By including data from your supply chain partners in your reporting, your organization will establish itself as more accountable, comprehensive, and transparent when it comes to your sustainability efforts.

Click here for more information on how to implement sustainability efforts in your organization, or visit our Corporate Social Responsibility page for more about Iron Mountain’s corporate efforts to achieve a net-zero future.

¹ Research by Economist Impact, sponsored by Iron Mountain, conducted in January and February 2022

² Research by Carbon Trust