The first Swiss business conference for sustainable procurement
In the wake of increasing regulatory requirements, particularly in the European Union, Swiss companies are faced with the task of developing sustainable procurement strategies. The first Swiss business conference for sustainable procurement, the "Sustainable Procurement Day", will bring together SMEs and larger companies on June 20, 2024 to discuss these challenges.
On the first "Sustainable Procurement Day" on June 20, 2024 in Zurich, companies such as Swiss Post, LyrecoBLS, Appenzeller Bier and Thermoplan will provide insights into their procurement strategies and activities. The event, which was launched by the Pusch Foundation, öbu - The Association for Sustainable Business and procure.ch, is aimed at companies from all sectors that want to integrate sustainable products and services into their supply chains and make them more transparent. Over 130 participants are expected to attend to learn about examples, trends and experiences in sustainable procurement and to exchange ideas.
Relevance for Swiss companies
As larger companies at home and abroad are paying increasing attention to the sustainability of their supply chains, it is crucial for Swiss SMEs (who supply these companies directly or indirectly) to adapt to these requirements. Participation in the conference offers the opportunity to obtain comprehensive information at an early stage about the necessary steps and to network in order to remain successful in the global market dynamics.
Exciting inputs, different perspectives
The conference program includes five keynote speeches and seven focus topics, which will provide participants with practical insights and in-depth discussions with experts and practitioners in the form of small groups.
Experts from the fields of environmental protection, law, procurement, digitalization and business will be appearing on the big stage: Elgin Brunner (Member of the Executive Board) WWF Switzerland, Niclas Meyer (Senior Consultant) BSS Volkswirtschaftliche Beratung AG, Marion Roeder and Gina Obrecht (Business Development, Data Driven Sustainability) Swisscom, Mirko Kleiner (Pioneer of Lean-Agile Procurement) Lean-Agile Procurement Alliance and Björn Jung and Matteo Trachsel (Sustainability) Thermoplan AG.
Sustainable procurement in 7 focus areas
In the thematic focus groups, the participants first receive specialist or practical input and then discuss possible solutions in small groups.
- The tension between strategy and feasibility with the BLS
- Through collaboration on the circular economy with the world's first Cradle to Cradle Gold certified printing company VÖGELI
- Net zero with sustainable procurement: reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the supply chain with Swiss Post and Lyreco Switzerland
- Circular economy and resource efficiency in procurement with the Locher brewery (Appenzeller Bier)
- Social procurement risks: Corporate due diligence, protection of human and children's rights along the supply chain with Solidar Suisse and Save the Children
- Compliance, regulation, due diligence with MME Legal
- Sustainable procurement and digitalization with SAP
Sources and further information: Foundation for Practical Environmental Protection Switzerland - Pusch (https://www.pusch.ch/) , öbu - The Association for Sustainable Business (https://www.oebu.ch/) and procure.ch - Professional Association for Purchasing and Supply Management (https://www.procure.ch/) .
