First Atlas compiling environmental risks in the supply chain

Many small and medium-sized businesses and large companies alike are engaging with the topic of social responsibility in relation to their own processes. Today, more than ever, they are being challenged and motivated to fulfil their societal responsibilities, including within their supply chains. This is absolutely essential, as a large portion of environmental impacts originate in the supply chain. At the same time, large challenges result for the environment, for those at production sites, and for businesses – especially when it comes to determining significant sustainability impacts and risks in the supply chain.

In practice, actors often lack concrete information on countries and risk sectors in the preliminary stages. To close this knowledge gap, an “Atlas for Sustainable Supply Chains” is being created. It is directed at decision-makers in businesses, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises from exposed industries with global supply chains. The atlas offers selected sectors practical solutions. It presents import quotients, procurement regions, and supply chain structures with their environmental impacts for the automotive, mechanical engineering, electronics, chemicals, metals, paper, and apparel focus industries. In order to be able to present an exacting picture of the supply chains, adelphi is conducting interviews and developing and organising diverse workshops to involve businesses in the creation of the atlas.

adelphi is producing the atlas with the business consultancy Systain, which focusses on sustainable supply chains. adelphi is responsible for the editorial control and for composing the content. Beyond that, adelphi is also responsible for the project management and for coordinating with the Federal Environment Ministry.