Powering Business Value Through Sustainability
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Electric Utility Industry Sustainable Supply Chain Alliance – The Alliance (www.euissca.org) recently held its third successful Signature Event in Orlando, Florida for nearly 100 professionals. This year's theme was 'Powering Business Value Through Sustainability'.
From the keynote speakers mapping out megatrends and growing investor demand; to sessions on Alliance work products and activities; to member and supplier panels on successful practice, the message was clear – supply chain sustainability is a key contributor to business value and the Alliance is and will continue to play a critical role in making the linkage between them.
The keynote speakers Terry Yosie, President and CEO of The World Environment Center and Michael Muyot, President of CRD Analytics, spoke to the key trends that are linking sustainability and business value. Terry spoke to the: growing demand for traceability and transparency; changing definitions of what it is a company does; and the dramatic transformation of supply chain sustainability from hidden to front and center. Michael built on these by sharing the investor community view. Increasingly investors are: looking at materiality and are seeing sustainability as a material risk; recognizing that companies that do sustainability well outperform their peers; speaking out more about divestitures of sustainability laggards; and are demanding more focused transparent reporting.
Following the stage setting, the Alliance members shared highlights of their activities since the last event. This included the, recently published, Environmental Sustainability Frameworks. These Frameworks 'provide a map' of activities that help guide utilities and suppliers through their sustainability journey. Members also shared the benefits and lessons learned from applying a successful practice from each of the Alliance Best Practice Documents on Transformers, Wire and Cable and Wood Poles. And in breakout sessions the insights, purpose and value of the updated Annual Supplier Survey were shared with members and suppliers. These insightful documents are available at the Alliance's website: www.euissca.org/.
Panel discussions provided an opportunity to further see how sustainability opportunities and challenges were being realized and addressed by utilities and suppliers. Key messages from those sessions emphasized the growing sophistication of sustainability across the value chain and the tangible benefits that companies are realizing from its pursuit.
Barbara Gomez, Chair of the Alliance, closed the day with a call to action for all Alliance member and stakeholders. The Alliance members have committed to leading the industry towards a 'robust and sustainable supply chain'. However, it is only one piece of the puzzle and she invited everyone to apply the Alliance resources and contribute to the achievement of the vision.
For more information about the Alliance, its members, and activities, please visit www.euissca.org or call Julie Niemann at 816.561.5323.
About the Electric Utility Industry Sustainable Supply Chain Alliance
Founded in 2008, the Alliance is a registered 501(c)6 non-profit organization. The Alliance's goal is to work with electric utility industry suppliers and other interested parties to improve environmental performance and the advancement of sustainable business practices.
SOURCE Electric Utility Industry Sustainable Supply Chain Alliance
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