SoS #29: H&M’s Big Bet on Sustainable Supply Chains (And Why It’s Working)

In this episode, Saif Hameed explores how businesses can credibly deploy and account for Scope 3 emission reductions. He breaks this down into five key steps:Setting up dataIdentifying interventionsImplementing projectsMeasuring and tracking progressValidating and verifying resultsAlong the way, we tackle challenges like mass balance measurement, avoiding double counting, and preparing for frameworks like Land Sector Removals Guidance (LSRG). Tune in for actionable insights to navigate Scope 3 reductions with confidence.

Join Saif Hameed and John Lee, Director of Nature and Mission Sustainability at Danone, as they discuss the best approach to prioritising and scaling farm-level reductions for carbon and crucially, nature. In this episode, we explore:Empowering Procurement: How to effectively engage procurement teams and align behind shared sustainability initiativesCollaborating with Suppliers: The role of Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs) and supplier-centric emission sharing in fostering collaborative partnerships.Accelerating Innovation: The process of testing pilot programs and prioritising those with the greatest potential for scale-up.Leveraging Customer Demand: How to harness growing consumer interest in sustainability to reduce emissions through collaborative efforts.

Paul Goff, Traceability and Sustainability Product Manager at H&M shares how the fashion giant is using technology to unlock transparency, decarbonise its supply chain, and set a new standard for sustainability in the apparel industry. From navigating global supply chain complexities to fostering lasting partnerships with suppliers, Paul dives deep into the practical steps H&M is taking to drive change. In this conversation, we discuss:Managing apparel supply chain complexities: How H&M manages the complexities of a global supply chain and what companies can learn from their approachSupply chain engagement: The key to successful supply chain engagement—what works for both H&M and their suppliers, and how to make these partnerships lastProduction decarbonisation: How to approach decarbonisation at the factory level and on a larger scaleDigital tech: How H&M is using technology to increase supply chain transparency, improve traceability, and hold suppliers accountable for sustainability goalsInnovation: How H&M prioritises finances and scales innovation to meet their sustainability goalsLinks & resources:Early-stage innovation at H&MGreen investment in a low-carbon textile industryGet the transcript here: https://altruistiq.com/state-of-sustainability/resource/h-ms-big-bet-on-sustainable-supply-chains-and-why-its-working

Where does the result of the US election leave corporate sustainability? In this episode, we cover:Big bets: How the Trump administration will impact corporate sustainability effortsPolicy Shifts: Key policy changes to watch and their implicationsBudgets: Tips for managing sustainability budgets amidst shifting prioritiesTeam Dynamics: Changing structure and priorities for corporate sustainability teamsGlobal Perspectives: New emerging global hubs driving sustainability innovationExpert Advice: Strategies for maintaining ambition and commitment to sustainability goals despite political uncertainty.Transcript here: https://www.altruistiq.com/state-of-sustainability/resource/what-does-trump-mean-for-corporate-sustainability

Who is the "sustainable consumer," and what drives their choices? In our first-ever consumer insights survey, we uncover:The profile of the sustainable consumerHow consumers prioritise what they put in the shopping basketWhat “sustainability” means to themThe most trusted sustainable brands—and why they stand outIn this episode, we reveal the key findings and share actionable strategies for professionals to incorporate these insights into their sustainability efforts.Who were the respondents? Our survey spanned a diverse demographic:Age: 50% were aged 25–34, followed by 28% aged 35–44Gender: 58% male, 42% femaleGeography: The majority hailed from the US (23%) and UK (23%), with representation from India (10%), France, Canada, and Australia (6% each), and others (26%)Living Environment: 70% resided in urban areasIncome: 70% reported household incomes between $40–99kDietary Habits: 65% had no dietary restrictions, while 19% identified as vegetarianWe'll be scaling this survey in 2025. Keep an eye out!

We’re joined by Fran Haycock, Head of Sustainability at Greencore, to discuss the key considerations when leading a successful sustainability transformation.We cover:Strategy alignment: How to ensure your sustainability transformation aligns with the broader business objectivesSustainability team set-up: The priority qualities and skills to consider when recruiting and developing your sustainability team.Leadership style: How to evolve your leadership style as your sustainability program matures.Budget management: Effective strategies for developing, securing and scaling a sustainability budget.

Collaboration may not be a silver bullet for solving sustainability challenges, but when executed effectively, it becomes a powerful tool. In this episode, we cut through the buzzwords and focus on practical steps for scalable collaboration, exploring:Types of collaboration: Challenges and opportunities associated with within-value-chain collaboration, across-value-chain collaboration, and pre-competitive collaboration.When, where and who to collaborate with (and not): How to identify the right opportunities and partners—and when it’s best to go solo.Creating collaborative initiatives that scale: Key components for setting up partnerships that can scale (not just multiply).Who takes the credit? Innovative tools and accounting practices like differentiated product carbon footprints to verify reductions in collaborative efforts.Budgeting, resources and incentives: Monetary (price premiums, 3rd party financing) and non-monetary incentives (long off-take agreements) to sustain collaboration.Links/ resources :A guide to supply chain engagement

In this episode, we discuss the surging popularity of Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs). We cover:The PCF Boom: The rapid growth of PCF generationPCF value: Where PCFs deliver value and where they fall short.PCF challenges: The key challenges to be aware of when generating and sharing PCFs.Data readiness: How to balance PCF demands with data accuracy and confidencePCF set up: Practical guidance on generating and sharing meaningful PCFs

The majority of businesses calculating baselines use less than >10k emission factors (crazy). What does this mean? It means emission calculations aren't accurate and decarbonisation efforts remain invisible.In this episode we get to the bottom of this and discuss:EF Recap: what is an EF and how is one developedCurrent State of Play: Understanding the current landscape of EF usage and challenges.The EF Dilemma: Balancing consistency and accuracy in EFs.EF Types: Deciphering the differences between supplier-specific and secondary EFsPrimary Data: The role and need of primary data collection in EF development.Solutions and Trends: Discovering innovative approaches to accurate EF calculation and future trends in the field.

In the second part of this two part series, we discuss essential leadership strategies to supercharge your sustainability team. We cover:Team retention: How to retain and motivate top talent in a competitive marketSkill development: Where and when to invest in upskillingPerformance metrics: What metrics and bonus schemes are useful to track and implementHeadcount budget and resource management: How to optimise team resourcesTeam culture: Observed tactics for building team culture from Nando's and Starbucks