Carbon Trust launches new supply chain sustainability certification

The Carbon Trust has launched a supply chain certification and has awarded seven companies with the new rating.

ABP Food Group, Aviva, Central England Co-operative, Deloitte UK, Nationwide, PwC UK and Willmott Dixon received The Carbon Trust Standard for Supply Chain this week.

The award is given for businesses implementing a framework to measure, manage and reduce carbon emissions across their supply chain, the organisation says.

To achieve the Carbon Trust Standard for Supply Chain, organisations must complete an in depth analysis to identify the most significant areas of carbon emissions within their supply chain.

The analysis is then used to determine a quantitative baseline for emissions reduction and prioritise suppliers for future engagement.

To maintain the standard, organisations need to demonstrate supplier engagement, reductions in specific parts of their supply chain, and then expand their approach to engage different sectors or suppliers.

The Carbon Trust said that as well as significant environmental benefits, measuring the carbon footprint of a supply chain and engaging with suppliers can have financial benefits by pinpointing areas of inefficiency and risk, helping to drive cost savings.

In 2013 the Carbon Trust introduced what it said was the  first international standard for businesses to certify that they are managing and reducing waste.