EY launches center for sustainable supply chains in Singapore

Global consulting firm EY has launched a Center for Sustainable Supply Chains in Singapore.

Led by the firm’s consulting division, the new center is dedicated to helping companies in Southeast Asia accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices for resilient supply chains.

Bringing together experts from across EY’s business, the center will spearhead a range of offerings including the development of circular supply chains, decarbonization of the value chain, sustainable and diverse sourcing, traceability and real-time visibility of supply chain information.

“Our new center is well-positioned as a hub to support companies in the region to develop and elevate sustainable practices for their supply chains,” said Liew Nam Soon, ASEAN Regional Managing Partner and Country Managing Partner for Singapore at EY.

“We also hope to contribute to the broader supply chain ecosystem and help the sector and its workforce deepen capabilities in sustainability through the innovative technologies and collaborative approaches that the center offers.”

Nam Soon said that the new center comes at a time of heightened demand for supply chain sustainability services. “With escalating concerns over climate change and stakeholders placing greater emphasis on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, companies are under greater impetus to work toward net zero goals. Supply chains account for a significant proportion of an organization’s greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs.”

The new center is co-led by Atul Chandna (Asia Pacific Supply Chain Leader) and Praveen Tekchandani (Climate Change and Sustainability Services), and comprises a team of over 50 professionals – the majority of which come from the Climate Change & Sustainability Services practice and Supply Chain Consulting practices.

Commenting on the new initiative, Tekchandani said: “More than 70% of an organization’s footprint is from indirect emissions from its upstream and downstream supply chain activities, hence supply chain management is an essential part of any corporate decarbonization roadmap. Net zero can only be achieved with an effective stewardship approach across the supply chain, and while this is challenging, it is a necessary step for companies to achieve their sustainability goals.”

“This is where our new center comes in,” added Chandna. “There needs to be the right strategies, systems and processes to realize plans and actions.”