Rivian EVs deliveries for Amazon surpass 150 million
Amazon has revealed that it has successfully delivered over 150 million packages using electric vehicles (EVs) from Rivian. The e-commerce giant has deployed more than 5,000 electric delivery vehicles in over 800 cities across the United States since last summer. These custom electric vans are being used in major cities such as Baltimore, Houston, Las Vegas, New York, Seattle, and Miami.
In 2019, Amazon placed an order for 100,000 custom electric vehicles from Rivian as part of its commitment to decarbonize its transportation fleet and achieve its sustainability goals. The company aims to reduce its environmental impact and has already made significant progress in reducing packaging waste. Looking beyond the United States, Amazon plans to invest over 1 billion euros in the next five years to further accelerate its decarbonization efforts in Europe.
The adoption of electric delivery vehicles by Amazon will have a positive impact on the supply chain. It will contribute to reducing carbon emissions and air pollution associated with traditional delivery vehicles, supporting the transition to a greener and more sustainable logistics industry. Additionally, the deployment of EVs by a major player like Amazon can help drive the demand for electric vehicle technology, encouraging further innovation and investment in the EV market.
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Proxima report says ESG laws are causing issues for CEOs
According to a report by Proxima, a procurement and supply chain consultancy, the majority of CEOs are concerned about potential human rights abuses in their supply chain. The Supply Chain Barometer 2023 surveyed 2,000 CEOs from the US and UK, revealing that 70% of them feel uneasy about actual or possible environmental, social, and governance (ESG) transgressions in their supply chain. The retail sector shows the highest level of unease, with 79% of retail CEOs feeling concerned.
The report also highlights that more than half (51%) of CEOs expect supply chain issues to consume more of their time in the coming year. Medium-sized firms express the greatest fear (76%) regarding potential ethical issues in their supply chain. Apart from the retail sector, high levels of ESG concerns are observed in financial services (65%), construction (59%), and automotive (54%).
The report’s release coincides with the implementation of new supply chain ESG laws. Notably, the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, effective from January 2023, imposes fines on German companies that cannot demonstrate ESG transparency in their supply chain. Additionally, the Fashion Sustainability and Social Accountability Act in New York holds major fashion brands accountable for their role in climate change. The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, expected to have finalized sustainability reporting standards by June, will significantly increase reporting requirements for companies falling within its scope.
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Puma to boost transparency within supply chain by 2030
The German sportswear company, has pledged to source all of its leather from verified deforestation-free supply chains by 2030 or earlier. The commitment was made as part of Puma’s participation in the Deforestation-Free Call to Action for Leather initiative, launched by the Textile Exchange and the Leather Working Group. The initiative aims to increase transparency in supply chains to identify the origin of raw materials.
Puma’s leather is currently sourced from tanneries certified by the Leather Working Group, which focuses on reducing the environmental impact of the leather industry. However, the company acknowledges challenges in traceability, particularly in the case of suede, which is a by-product of the full grain leather business. Suede tanneries often work with intermediaries, making it difficult to achieve full traceability at the cattle ranch level.
By prioritizing deforestation-free supply chains and enhancing supply chain transparency, Puma aims to reduce its environmental impact and contribute to the preservation of biodiversity. This commitment will likely encourage other brands and players in the industry to prioritize sustainable sourcing practices and support efforts to combat deforestation.
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