Join host Fergal Byrne and Accenture’s Matias Pollmann-Larsen as they dive into the EcoVadis Sustainable Procurement Barometer 2024 results. Discover how leading companies are turning sustainability from a compliance-driven exercise into a powerful driver of value -- from digitizing procurement and engaging suppliers to meeting new regulations and advancing circularity. Learn practical strategies for building more resilient, transparent and impactful supply chains.

The Sustainable Value Chains Podcast is back! In this episode, Fergal Byrne speaks with Bettina Grabmayr, Methodology and Research Director at EcoVadis and explores the critical role of sustainability assessments in managing supply chain risks, particularly as global regulations like the EU’s CSRD and CS3D come into play. Bettina shares how EcoVadis’ comprehensive rating methodology helps companies gather reliable sustainability data, engage suppliers and improve performance. She also delves into the rigorous data verification process, behind the ratings, which combines AI and human expertise to ensure accuracy and mitigate greenwashing risks. By tailoring assessments to industry-specific sustainability challenges, EcoVadis enables companies to address material issues and drive continuous improvement. Tune in to discover practical strategies for enhancing sustainability performance in today’s complex regulatory landscape.

The journey of adopting digital solutions and AI technologies has been transformative for Danone, prompting the company to explore various avenues of innovation while addressing ethical and legal considerations. In this podcast, Julio Peironcely, Global Head of Insights and Analytics, shares insights on the make-or-buy decision, the intersection of AI and sustainability, the potential for collaboration with tech startups, and the broader legal challenges and opportunities AI brings to the table.

The inaugural episode of the Sustainable Value Chains series starts with a powerful observation: Sustainability, Andrew Winston explains, is akin to survival or keeping one’s head above water. It pertains to whether we can perpetuate our current actions indefinitely without causing irreversible damage. Sustainability, while a worthwhile goal, only brings us to a baseline level of existence where we aren’t negatively impacting the planet.