How to Prepare for a Sustainable Future Along the Value Chain

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the urgent need for a more sustainable economy, with extreme weather events and global discussions on climate change amplifying the call for action across industries, including consumer goods. Sustainability, encompassing environmental, social, and governance factors, is a key consideration, particularly in the use of natural resources and reducing climate impact.

For consumer-goods manufacturers, addressing the environmental costs in their supply chains is crucial, as they contribute significantly to greenhouse-gas emissions and other resource impacts. Meeting EU climate targets requires the consumer-goods industry to more than halve its emissions by 2030, necessitating a shift in thinking and the adoption of new business models, especially those related to the circular economy, to achieve long-term sustainability goals while accommodating growth and consumption.