One could be forgiven for perceiving that environmental standards, social responsibilities and engagement in climate change would be less developed amongst manufacturing businesses in the Far East or Global South.
Recent sight of an Annual Sustainability Plan (all 60 odd pages of it) from a Bangladeshi clothing manufacturer certainly changed that perception for us.
It’s all there. Carbon measurement and reduction forecast, environmental risks, sustainable sourcing, waste minimisation, social responsibility, governance, alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals…..It’s exemplary. The company has invested heavily in renewables and the latest, most efficient technology and implements a wide range of employee and social benefit programmes.
Now, we don’t for a minute assume that all such manufacturers in the Global South meet the same high standard, but then, neither do the majority of companies in the West.
The key point is, when engaging with overseas suppliers, don’t assume that they won’t have this. Ask the question, you might be pleasantly surprised.