2024 Sustainability Summit: SSCI Leads Fresh Produce Supply Chain Initiatives
The Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) of The Consumer Goods Forum took center stage during the global responsible sourcing dialogue at the International Sustainability Summit on April 26, 2024, at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in Vancouver, British Columbia. Hosted by the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) in collaboration with the International Federation for Produce Standards and the Global Coalition of Fresh Produce, the event convened industry leaders to discuss sustainability in the global fresh produce market.
Dr. Yogendra Chaudhry (Yogi), SSCI Benchmark Leader and Vice President of Professional Services & ESG at ECO Canada, participated in a panel titled “The State of Sustainability - Efforts Impacting Global Produce Supply Chains.” Other panelists included Cheryl Sullivan from International Featured Standards (IFS), Richard Schouten from the Fresh Produce Centre (Groenten Fruit Huis), and Erika Luna from the International Institute for Sustainable Development. Yogi emphasized the need for standardized sustainability practices and reporting mechanisms to boost transparency and accountability across global supply chains. His discussion on the challenges and opportunities within business strategies aligned with the summit's objective of promoting a unified approach to sustainability in the fresh produce sector.
The summit featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, and breakout sessions, tackling the major challenges and opportunities in creating a sustainable global produce supply chain. Participants worked on drafting a Fresh Produce Sustainability Charter, which concentrates on environmental, social, and governance themes. This charter is designed to standardize practices, mitigate risks, and prioritize sustainability actions.
SSCI continues to play a crucial role in global discussions, advancing responsible procurement and due diligence with its partners and stakeholders. As SSCI expands, it aims to integrate sustainability more deeply into global supply chains across various regions and sectors.
The summit's key outcomes included identifying guiding principles for industry practices, ongoing sustainability support activities, and main risks to harmonization. These insights will be compiled in a comprehensive Summit Report, set for release in the second quarter of 2024, to promote sustainability, support related initiatives, and speed up the adoption of sustainable practices in the fresh produce industry.
Click here to know on the summit proceedings and to access presentation slides and session recordings.
Dr. Yogendra Chaudhry (Yogi), SSCI Benchmark Leader and Vice President of Professional Services & ESG at ECO Canada, participated in a panel titled “The State of Sustainability - Efforts Impacting Global Produce Supply Chains.” Other panelists included Cheryl Sullivan from International Featured Standards (IFS), Richard Schouten from the Fresh Produce Centre (Groenten Fruit Huis), and Erika Luna from the International Institute for Sustainable Development. Yogi emphasized the need for standardized sustainability practices and reporting mechanisms to boost transparency and accountability across global supply chains. His discussion on the challenges and opportunities within business strategies aligned with the summit's objective of promoting a unified approach to sustainability in the fresh produce sector.
The summit featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, and breakout sessions, tackling the major challenges and opportunities in creating a sustainable global produce supply chain. Participants worked on drafting a Fresh Produce Sustainability Charter, which concentrates on environmental, social, and governance themes. This charter is designed to standardize practices, mitigate risks, and prioritize sustainability actions.
SSCI continues to play a crucial role in global discussions, advancing responsible procurement and due diligence with its partners and stakeholders. As SSCI expands, it aims to integrate sustainability more deeply into global supply chains across various regions and sectors.
The summit's key outcomes included identifying guiding principles for industry practices, ongoing sustainability support activities, and main risks to harmonization. These insights will be compiled in a comprehensive Summit Report, set for release in the second quarter of 2024, to promote sustainability, support related initiatives, and speed up the adoption of sustainable practices in the fresh produce industry.
Click here to know on the summit proceedings and to access presentation slides and session recordings.
Companies