The much anticipated Sustainable Brands Detroit (SB'17) event takes place next week to bring the discussion of sustainability across the entire supply chain to the forefront of the global climate agenda. The event covers sustainability in all aspects, and the sustainability goals for the management of the event reflect a broader commitment to the Global Sustainability Goals (SDGs) outlined by the Paris Agreement.
The SB'17 goals encompass a commitment to ensuring the planning, organization, and implementation of and participation in the event are also sustainable, and include a range of quantitative measures from diverting at least 80% of the waste produced by the event with TerraCycle, to 100% offsetting any energy used by the event with our premier Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).
These measurable efforts to reduce the SB'17 footprint go one step even further says Nadia Kahkonen, Communications Manager for South Pole group. "SB is not only making sure electricity for events comes from sustainable sources, but they're going beyond that. Many of the renewable energy projects we work on directly go towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and as a partner, Sustainable Brands is also contributing to that effort."
The SDGs have been adopted by countries as a set of goals to "end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all" as part of a new sustainable development agenda. Through its investment in South Pole Group's GoldPower-labeled project in Thailand, for instance, Sustainable Brands is furthering the creation of multiple skilled job and training opportunities within local communities, as well as regional infrastructure improvements in direct alignment with these sustainable development goals.
In reference to the Sustainable Brand conference theme of "Redefining the Good Life", Nadia says the SDGs are the starting point. "In the broader sense, we see that the SDGs are a good framework to view the topic of redefining the good life. Through this partnership we're enabling a better life for local communities through the activities of the projects."
In addition to the sustainability goals that TerraCycle and the South Pole Group will be focused on, Sustainable Brands has partnered with numerous companies to help with the other goals, which include: Carbon Neutral, Water Neutral, ISO 20121 Compliance, and Local Food Sourcing.
Read more information about the Sustainable Brands Detroit event here, and read the press release about our partnerships with sustainable brands here.
This news piece has been edited for length and was originally published on the Sustainable Brands website.
