he Conference of the Parties hasassembled for the past 17 years in orderto assess the very real impacts of andprogression in climate change. Theleadership and influence of the Conference attendeeseach year truly speak to the significance of climatechange and its relevance on our world agenda. Thisglobal issue unites us all, driving us towards findingsolutions that will ensure a viable future. As the world continues to urbanise and develop, theimpacts of this growth affects individuals from allsocioeconomic status in an equal manner. Thispositive progression in development for society is notwithout its negative impacts, including the depletionof finite natural resources and unchecked growth ingreenhouse gas emissions, leading to drastic changesin weather patterns and our environment. Theseeffects reach all facets of societies, men, women andchildren alike.After considering the intermingled complexities of theentire world, how do we even begin to pinpoint asolution? There are multiple stakeholders involved,each with a different perspective. So, more thananything, the answer lies in transparency. Sharinginformation amongst one another is crucial, especiallywhen the issues involved are entrenched throughout allof society.There is no time to scramble as individuals for thegreater good; instead, it is imperative we unify towardsall-encompassing sustainable solutions that willreduce our negative impact on climate. We must find away to let business prosper within the limits of theplanet. But it must be more than this. We must notonly focus on limiting our harm, but doing more goodas well. We must have an attitude of restoration.The Sustainability Consortium (TSC) has undertaken asignificant challenge in assessing this magnificentquandary. TSC is a global, academically driven, multistakeholder organisation which is conducting researchand developing systems and tools that improvedecision making around issues of sustainability.Suppliers, retailers, NGOs, governments, anduniversities alike collaborate in an effort to improveenvironmental performance by examining every facetof the supply chain: from sourcing raw materials, to themanufacturing, assembly, distribution, use anddisposal of consumer products. No operation hasattempted to drive innovation on such a large scale, orwith this much complexity and diversity.TSC focuses its efforts on a variety of industry supplychains, including electronics, agriculture, home andpersonal care, toys, paper and forestry products andpackaging. As the organisation expands, it willencompass other sectors as well. Within theseindustries, TSC is creating a SustainabilityMeasurement and Reporting System (SMRS) to deliveractionable sustainability information and a large-scalesystem supporting harmonisation of product life cycleassessments over time. It is in this robust frameworkand generation of powerful analyses that a practical setof principles can be established that minimiseenvironmental pressures without sacrificing our needs.The SMRS is revolutionary in its design -accessible tocompanies, buyers, service providers and consumers.Such a vast audience and collaboration of relevantparties allows for wide adoption that will produceexponential environmental benefits. The unique opinion and perspective of governmentaland non-governmental organisations is very importantto this sustainability initiative. In this process, TSC isSUSTAINABLESUPPLYCHAINS:A SOLUTION TO THE CHALLENGE078GREEN SUPPLY CHAINBONNIE NIXON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE SUSTAINABILITY CONSORTIUMTIllustration: shutterstock.com

GREEN SUPPLY CHAIN079engaging multiple stakeholders who are committed tothe transparency and scientific rigor needed to build acredible, comprehensive, and scalable measurementand reporting system. The Consortium is growingglobally and collaborating with the world's best minds.Its reach is significant -membership includes many ofthe world's leading companies and organisations thatwant sustainability applied on a worldwide scale. Nooperation has attempted to drive innovation on such alarge scale. But, it is only if we work together that wecan find solutions for the most pressing challenges ofsustainable production and consumption.Sustainability carries the benefit of both reducingnegative externalities and saving money. It encouragescompanies to streamline their supply chains, eliminatewaste, and to innovate products focused on cradle-to-cradle design. It not only encompasses worldpreservation but also provides economic opportunitiesby targeting the business community's bottom line. The Sustainability Consortium looks to our worldleaders to ensure achievable long-term sustainabilitygoals. Working together, we can create a moresustainable future. The issues we face are not goingaway, and will likely worsen over time if addressed withimmediacy. Discovering sustainable actionablesolutions to these issues is not only the right thing todo; it is something we simply must do. nABOUT THE AUTHORBonnie Nixon is Executive Director for TheSustainability Consortium (TSC). Known for herability to serve as a catalyst for transformation in thefield of sustainability and social and environmentalresponsibility, she is responsible for providingstrategic direction and executing on a bold vision forThe Consortium - an independent StandardsOrganisation of diverse global participants. TSC willhelp set the standards and develop transparentmethodologies, tools and strategies that will drive anew generation of products and supply networks thataddress environmental, social and economicimperatives. The Board of Directors consists ofrepresentatives from Arizona State University, theUniversity of Arkansas, The Walt Disney Company,Walmart, PepsiCo, Proctor & Gamble and Dell. TheConsortium is made up of 100 Corporate, Academic,Government and Civil Society groups.Prior to The Sustainability Consortium, Ms Nixon wasthe Director of Environmental Sustainability atHewlett Packard, where she managed the vision,strategy, marketing, messaging, employeeengagement and stakeholder relations programme.As Director of Ethical Sourcing at HP, Ms Nixonimplemented the world's largest and most complexelectronic, ethical and sustainable supply chainprogramme for 10 years. Under her leadership, morethan US$50 billion went through HP's supply chain.Bonnie Nixon was a key driver in a common industrycode of conduct and a set of complimentary toolsand processes as a founder and Board Member of theElectronic Industry Citizenship Coalition(www.eicc.info). She serves on many multi-industryconsortiums including global retailers, footwear andapparel, toy, pharmaceutical, chemical, automotive,consumer goods and mining. She is the Board Chairfor Sustainable Silicon Valley and also serves on theBoard of Blue Planet Network(www.blueplanetnetwork.org).Above: Bonnie Nixon, TSCExecutive Director