ESSMA Summit 2024: Driving Sustainability in Sports and Events
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ESSMA Summit 2024: Driving Sustainability in Sports and Events
We are thrilled to share our experience at the ESSMA Summit 2024 and announce an exciting partnership that reinforces our mission to advance sustainability and innovation in the sports and events industry.
ESSMA Summit 2024
The ESSMA Summit, hosted at the Club Atlético de Madrid stadium, gathered industry leaders for two days of insightful discussions on key topics shaping the future of stadium management. The event focused on:
• Enhancing safety and security measures for modern venues.
• Promoting inclusion and accessibility initiatives.
• Advancing sustainability practices within LSE sector.
• Embracing innovative technologies to revolutionize stadium operations.
Expert speakers shared their insights, sparking collaborative dialogues and driving conversations about the sector’s future. Attendees also had the chance to explore cutting-edge solutions from corporate partners, showcasing the latest advancements in stadium management technology.
Our CEO, Kelly, was honored to participate in the summit, presenting at the sustainability workshop. Reflecting on the experience, she expressed her gratitude and enthusiasm: “Let’s sustainalize the LSE sector and start making waves today! A heartfelt thank-you to the organizers of the ESSMA Summit for hosting such a fantastic event and providing the opportunity to present GSES and GES on stage.”
Exciting Partnership Announcement
We are delighted to announce that GSES has officially joined the ESSMA community as an official partner. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in our commitment to driving sustainability, fostering innovation, and enhancing collaboration within the sports and events sector.
Key Aspects of the Partnership:
• Strengthening collaboration with stadiums, clubs, and industry leaders.
• Encouraging data sharing to improve sustainability practices.
• Advocating for the implementation of the Green Event Standard for sustainable event management.
Driving Sustainability with the Green Event Standard
We are proud to introduce the Green Event Standard, a robust framework. This standard is designed to provide practical strategies for evaluating and enhancing the environmental and social impact of events. The Green Event Standard enables organizations to measure and improve the sustainability of their events across 10 critical ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) topics, offering a comprehensive approach to sustainable event management.
Looking Ahead
Our collaboration with ESSMA represents a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of sustainability in the sports and events industry. By combining ESSMA’s extensive network with GSES’s innovative tools and expertise, we aim to:
• Accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices across stadiums and venues.
• Facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices among industry stakeholders.
• Foster a community of organizations dedicated to sustainability and inclusion.
We are excited about the possibilities this partnership unlocks and look forward to working closely with ESSMA members to create a greener, more inclusive future for sports and events worldwide.
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New due diligence legislation
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New Due Diligence legislation
New legislation is being introduced that will require companies to identify, mitigate, or eliminate any potential negative impacts of their actions on both people and the environment. What steps should you take? How will you approach this?
Read the blue paper that experts from Shopping Tomorrow – Thuiswinkel.org have written, in collaboration with Möbius Business Redesign, Capgemini, ClimatePartner, and GSES – Global Sustainable Enterprise System.
Want to know more?
Read the full article below:
Shopping Tomorrow Blue Paper
LVNL’s commitment to sustainability
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LVNL’s commitment to sustainability
Sustainability takes centre stage at LVNL, where it’s not just a goal but a firm commitment. LVNL’s dedication to a greener future extends beyond words, reflected in their rigorous selection process for suppliers. This process now includes a pivotal partner: the Global Sustainable Enterprise System (GSES).
LVNL, as a crucial player in the aviation industry, recognises the imperative of sustainability and the need to align their procurement with environmentally conscious practices. To this end, they have partnered with GSES, a global leader in sustainable and circular business standards.
GSES serves as a beacon for LVNL in the tender selection process, ensuring that potential suppliers share their vision for a more sustainable future. Through the GSES platform, LVNL can evaluate the sustainability ambitions of suppliers in a demonstrable and verifiable manner.
The integration of GSES into LVNL’s selection criteria is setting a new industry standard, reaffirming the aviation sector’s commitment to a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.
For more information, please visit: GSES
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GSES empowers sustainability with ISO 59000 integration
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GSES empowers sustainability with ISO 59000 integration
In a significant move towards advancing global sustainability, the Global Sustainable Enterprise System (GSES) is excited to announce the integration of the ISO 59000 series. This strategic integration is set to amplify and elevate sustainability initiatives across the world.
ISO 59000 series, a globally recognised set of standards, provides a comprehensive framework for managing sustainability practices. By incorporating these standards into GSES, the platform is set to become more user-friendly, internationally credible, and power-packed, allowing organisations to measure, verify, and enhance their sustainability efforts efficiently.
Hans Kröder, a leading circular expert and has been instrumental in making this integration possible. We extend our sincere thanks to the Board of Experts and the Technical Committee for their invaluable contributions.
Join us on this exciting journey towards a greener and sustainable future. Together, we aim to make a lasting impact, one sustainability initiative at a time.
For more information, please visit GSES
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Boon Edam Embraces CSRD & Sustainability with GSES!
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Boon Edam embraces CSRD and sustainability with GSES!
In a recent interview conducted, Danielle van Koert-Bakker, the Global Quality & Sustainability Manager of Boon Edam, and Shubham Tiwari, the Global Supply Chain Coordinator, shed light on the company’s commitment to sustainability and their partnership with GSES. Boon Edam, a global organisation celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, shared valuable insights into their vision, mission, and their journey towards sustainability.
Boon Edam, with a history dating back 70 years, remains unwavering in its ambition. Being a family-owned business, the owner has played a pivotal role in defining the company’s mission and vision. Central to this vision is a strong emphasis on customer experience, premium quality products, safety, and security. Sustainability, although not explicitly mentioned in their mission, is inherently integrated into their products, particularly their renowned revolving doors known for energy-saving attributes.
Shubham Tiwari, during the interview, highlighted the growing importance of sustainability in the context of European Union regulations for supply chain management. He emphasised the need to align supply chain processes with sustainability targets, fostering a commitment to sustainability. Boon Edam’s motivation to adopt sustainability is rooted in their desire for visibility and longevity. The company understands that embracing sustainability is not just a trend but a necessity to ensure their continued success for generations to come.
The company, which caters to a wide range of sectors as entry experts, prides itself on its expertise, making them unique in each sector they target. While they are relatively new to the sustainability journey, Boon Edam is actively engaged in various sustainability initiatives within the company.
Boon Edam’s decision to partner with GSES was driven by a clear need to meet CSRD compliance by 2030. Their objective is to align all information into one place, reduce container and load sizes, and promote sustainability throughout their supply chain. GSES provides an external and independent validator, which was the perfect fit for Boon Edam’s mission and their commitment to transparency.
Boon Edam’s sustainability goals extend beyond mere compliance. They are committed to measuring sustainability across various pillars and conducting organisation and product level ratings. A priority-setting approach and the 0-point measurement will provide them with a clear path forward. One of their key reasons for working with GSES is to promote sustainable procurement. Boon Edam recognises the importance of involving suppliers in their sustainability efforts and the positive impact this can have on the industry as a whole.
Boon Edam takes pride in contributing to a cleaner and greener future, with a strong focus on energy and transport sectors. Safety and customer well-being are at the forefront of their product development, with their products known for being the safest in the world. The interview also touched upon the crucial relationship between supply chain and sustainability. Boon Edam acknowledged the challenges in sustainable procurement, particularly in obtaining reliable sustainability data. However, they emphasised the importance of overcoming these challenges to drive positive change, with GSES playing a significant role in this endeavour.
Danielle aptly summarised the importance of measurement with the statement, “what you cannot measure, you cannot improve.” Boon Edam is not only committed to recording sustainability data but also taking tangible actions to enhance sustainability. The user-interface of GSES was lauded for its simplicity, ease of use, and data privacy features. Boon Edam found the platform’s assessments to be user-friendly, with clear and structured questions. In a significant milestone year, Boon Edam is not only celebrating its long-standing history but also its unwavering commitment to a sustainable and greener future, with GSES as their trusted partner on this transformative journey.
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Sustainable Procurement, measuring is improving
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Measuring sustainable procurement is improving
“Being transparent about sustainability efforts and results is key to sustainable procurement. The Global Sustainable Enterprise System provides a platform for this, argues expert Karin van IJsselmuide. Univé and Air Traffic Control Netherlands have already begun working with it.”
Sustainable procurement is purchasing with the most positive effects for society, the economy, and the environment that are possible throughout the entire lifecycle of a product (ISO 20400-2017). This term for sustainable purchasing is used internationally by the business sector and is equivalent to the term ‘socially responsible commissioning and purchasing’ invoked by the government. Procurement organizations can have a significant impact on achieving sustainable goals, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, many laws and legislative proposals are coming towards organizations, such as CSRD, IMVO, and CO2 reporting. This necessitates accountability. There are plenty of reasons to get started, but it must be done in a clear, correct, and verifiable manner.
5 Ground Rules from ACM
If we have learned anything from the recent studies and the sanctions subsequently imposed by the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), it is that some companies make a habit of presenting themselves as more sustainable than they actually are. Consequently, sustainability has primarily become a marketing tool, a practice often referred to as greenwashing. The five ground rules issued by ACM provide guidance for both the marketing and procurement departments:
1. Clearly communicate what sustainability benefit the product offers.
2. Support sustainability claims with facts and keep them up to date.
3. Comparisons with other products, services, or companies must be fair.
4. Be honest and specific about sustainability efforts.
5. Ensure that visual claims and certifications are primarily helpful and not confusing for consumers.
Being transparent and honest about sustainability efforts and results is key to sustainable procurement. Merely having an ambition, a sustainable procurement policy, or an action plan to start working on sustainability as a procurement function is not enough. It is therefore necessary to begin measuring sustainable procurement activities and substantiate them with facts. But where do you start? How do you ensure that the procurement process, suppliers, and the products they provide are not based on opportunistic sustainability claims? For this, we employ the process of: tell me, show me, and prove me.
Tell Me, Show Me, and Prove Me
Tell me: start by having suppliers explain how sustainable they already are on themes such as circularity, CO2 reduction, and the health and safety of employees. Show me: if there is insight into the sustainability of your suppliers, you can then ask whether they can substantiate their claims and provided information with facts or evidence. Prove me: in cases of doubt about the provided facts, or if the stakes for your organization are very high, you can have the provided evidence checked by an independent expert or a certifying institution such as KIWA or Control Union.
Sustainability Certifications
Since organizations often do not have all the knowledge in-house or the ability to manage and verify provided sustainability data, it is beneficial that sustainability certifications exist.
But how do you know if such a certification is recognized and validated? Gaining this knowledge, creating your own questionnaires, and subsequently organizing verification is often not an option for companies. Furthermore, it is undesirable for the market because all their clients would then request slightly different information on various themes.
Unique Standard
If the organization decides to request, analyze, and verify data from suppliers, it is crucial to carefully consider what the strategy will be in advance. And also think about the tool you will need for this. There are already various tools available in the market that can assist with this, such as the Global Sustainable Enterprise System (GSES). This is a platform where one can see how each supplier deals with various sustainability themes. GSES operates with a unique overarching standard for measuring the sustainability of organizations and products. This standard recognizes over five hundred existing sustainability standards, certifications, and eco-labels.
UNIVÉ Group
Willem de Jager, strategic procurement advisor at Univé Group: “In the context of CSR, the Univé Group focuses on all Sustainable Development Goals with extra emphasis on ‘good health and well-being,’ ‘climate action,’ and ‘partnerships.’ With the sustainability ambitions of the Univé Group, Procurement and Contract Management can and must start making an impact in the supply chain. What applies to black figures also applies to green figures: it begins with reliable data. In terms of sustainability, we are actually barely aware of what our partners are doing in this area, and as a result, we cannot produce reliable reports. We have begun placing ourselves on the sustainability platform GSES. At the same time, we have asked our suppliers to do the same and to be transparent there, just as we are. This is primarily because we want to know if a sustainable relationship with them also means a collaboration that has positive effects in terms of sustainability, but also to provide suppliers with a platform where they can show where they stand and what ambitions they have. The scores of a supplier in GSES are also accessible to other clients.
As a result, this system is a powerful tool for tender procedures. The verified data in GSES reduce the chances of greenwashing and ensure that we can quickly engage in discussions about the content of the collaboration. We can also provide reliable reports about where we stand. In the coming period, we want to work together with suppliers to review the scores and inventory where we see opportunities for further sustainability.
Air traffic control Netherlands
Eric Sessink, manager contracting at Air Traffic Control Netherlands (LVNL): “LVNL ensures safe handling of air traffic in the Dutch civil airspace. Based on three pillars (climate, circular economy, and healthy & social), goals have been set to achieve a sustainable LVNL. Socially responsible contracting and purchasing is an essential tool to accelerate sustainability. In order to use sustainability distinctly in tenders, we have sought a tool capable of objectively assessing suppliers’ sustainability claims. The tool must be accessible to both Dutch and foreign suppliers and have a robust certification process with a large supplier database. Based on this, GSES emerged as the best option. With this tool, we can see how our suppliers are performing in terms of sustainability. It also provides information that allows us to engage in discussions to improve and monitor this process. Another advantage of the GSES platform is that a supplier can easily be compared to the average of the relevant industry. The sustainability objectives of LVNL are incorporated into tenders to challenge suppliers to contribute as well. Additionally, last year we invited the top 200 of our current suppliers to register on the GSES platform focusing on the pillars of Corporate Social Responsibility, CO2 Reduction, and Circular Economy. LVNL itself fills out the assessment. This allows the outside world to see what efforts we are making in this area.
Out of the approximately 200 current suppliers, 31 suppliers have voluntarily registered so far. Of these, eleven suppliers have been validated by GSES for their sustainability performance. From 2023 onwards, increasingly ambitious criteria will be included in each tender. Currently, registration on GSES for our suppliers remains optional regarding the three pillars. However, depending on how the market develops, we will include the industry average as a minimum requirement in tenders as a criterion for awarding contracts.”
Image: GSES
Strategic procurement advisor Willem de Jager of Univé Group (see page 39) and contracting manager Eric Sessink of LVNL (see here to the left) share their experiences with GSES.
Action Plan
A sustainability measurement is just the beginning. Of course, it is good to know where each supplier stands, but only then does the embedding of the real strategy begin. It is advisable to create an action plan. This way, you can start discussions with suppliers about the contribution of sustainability to your own objectives and/or include ambitions in contracts.
Insight
To really make progress in this area, insight is essential. The requirements that sustainable procurement places on organizations and individuals will grow along with future legislation and market developments. Therefore, sustainability will always be a concern for the procurement discipline in the future.
GSES leads the way with Nature Impact Rating to foster a sustainable food future!
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GSES leads the way with Nature Impact Rating to foster a sustainable food future!
Transforming Taste: GSES’s Innovative Approach to Eco-Conscious Food Choices
Did you know? The food industry, a significant environmental player, leaves an indelible mark through deforestation, water depletion, and greenhouse gas emissions. The journey from farm to fork carries profound consequences. Recognising the urgency of these challenges, GSES – Global Sustainable Enterprise System introduces the revolutionary Nature Impact Rating, tailored exclusively for food products.
Savouring Positive Change:
Consumers and businesses now have the power to make choices that not only tantalise taste buds but also contribute to a more sustainable and eco-friendly future. Let’s savour the flavour of positive change!
Empower Your Sustainability Journey:
Embark on a transformative sustainability journey and make eco-conscious food choices with GSES. Ready to explore? Visit our platform or reach out to us for more details. Together, let’s make a positive impact on the planet, one food product at a time.
Join Us in Shaping a Sustainable Tomorrow:
GSES – Global Sustainable Enterprise System is committed to pioneering sustainability solutions for industries worldwide. Join us in shaping a future where every food choice contributes to a healthier planet.
Learn more at GSES
GSES unveils Nature Impact Rating to transform cosmetic industry’s environmental footprint!
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GSES unveils Nature Impact Rating to transform cosmetic industry’s environmental footprint!
Revolutionising Beauty: A Greener Path with GSES’s Sustainability Initiative
The cosmetic industry, known for its allure, faces critical sustainability challenges, including excessive packaging, chemical pollution, and resource-intensive production practices. Acknowledging the imperative for change, GSES – Global Sustainable Enterprise System introduces the groundbreaking Nature Impact Rating tailored specifically for cosmetic products.
Choose Beauty, Choose Sustainability:
Now, beauty enthusiasts and brands have the power to select products that not only elevate glamour but also contribute to a greener and more sustainable planet. GSES invites you to redefine beauty with a touch of eco-conscious elegance!
Embark on a Sustainable Beauty Journey:
Join us on a transformative beauty journey that aligns aesthetics with environmental responsibility. With the Nature Impact Rating, GSES empowers you to make conscious choices for a beautiful and eco-friendly future.
Ready to Explore? Visit Our Platform!
Embark on your sustainable beauty journey by visiting our platform today. Discover the Nature Impact Rating and how it’s reshaping the cosmetic industry for the better.
Contact Us for More Details:
For further information and details on our Nature Impact Rating initiative, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Let’s collectively make choices that transcend beauty and contribute to a sustainable world.
Let’s Make Conscious Choices for a Beautiful Tomorrow!
GSES – Global Sustainable Enterprise System is dedicated to pioneering sustainability solutions for industries worldwide. Join us in shaping a future where beauty and eco-consciousness harmoniously coexist.
Learn more at GSES
GSES and Climate Cleanup launch partnership to measure and mitigate scope 0 emissions.
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GSES and Climate Cleanup launch partnership to measure and mitigate Scope 0 emissions
Many people are familiar with scopes 1, 2, and 3. Scope 1 is the direct CO2 emissions from your company, Scope 2 is indirect emissions, for example, from the energy you purchase. And Scope 3 relates to the emissions generated within the supply chain. However, there is now increasing attention on Scope 0, which refers to the CO2 that the company has emitted in the past. Very few companies currently incorporate this into their strategy.
Oncra offers a solution to the many problems that plague the market for so-called CO2 compensation. The biggest issue is that in this market, compensation credits, or offsets, are offered that do little or nothing to remove CO2. Many credits are issued for not cutting down forests. The Oncra methodology addresses this by only certifying onsets: real, physical capture of CO2 in plants, soils, and materials. This capture is directly measurable, making onsets much more reliable.
The online measurement system of GSES (Global Sustainable Enterprise System) now integrates Scope 0 into its dashboarding to measure organizations and suppliers. Organizations with a net-zero ambition can achieve this with the Scope 0 calculation and then onset, which means paying farmers, builders, or seaweed growers to actually remove CO2 from the atmosphere.
Onsets are certified through the Oncra certification scheme and audited via Audit Independer by independent Certification Bodies. Oncra stands for Open Natural Carbon Removal Accounting and was developed by Climate Cleanup in collaboration with a bank and two provinces, according to the new rules of the European Commission for carbon removal certification.
About the Climate Cleanup Foundation
The goal of the Climate Cleanup Foundation is to remove enough CO2 to solve the climate problem. Climate Cleanup is the initiator of Oncra, which has already mapped 180,000 tons of additional CO2 capture since its launch at the last UN climate conference. This way, organizations can onset instead of offset.
About the GSES System
The Global Sustainable Enterprise System (GSES) is a SaaS platform for measuring the sustainability of organizations, supply chains, assets, products, and events across all aspects of sustainability. GSES operates in more than 110 countries and in over 70 industries, making sustainability accessible and transparent. GSES is used by organizations such as Air Traffic Control Netherlands (LVNL), Schiphol, ABN Amro, Xenos, Wibra, the Johan Cruijff ArenA, Univé, Boon Edam, and many others. Discover more about the Global Sustainable Enterprise System at www.gses-system.com.
GSES Unveils Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Module for GreenTech Innovations!
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GSES Unveils Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Module for GreenTech Innovations!
In a significant move towards advancing sustainability in the GreenTech sector, Global Sustainable Enterprise System (GSES) introduces the groundbreaking Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Module. This innovative tool is meticulously designed to measure and verify the environmental claims of cutting-edge technologies, offering a pathway to elevate their credibility through third-party validation.
GSES ETV module highlights
1. Comprehensive technology ESG dashboard:
GSES proudly presents the Technology ESG Dashboard, a tailored solution for technology users. This comprehensive tool provides users with an in-depth view of validated technology claims, ETV verification reports, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) scores on an organisational level.
2. Global standard compliance with ISO 14034:
GSES employs the Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) ISO 14034 standard to assess technologies. Recognised as the sole global standard for measuring green technologies, ISO 14034:2016 Environmental Management sets the benchmark for ETV processes. Published by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) in November 2016, this standard ensures a quality-assured process for independent confirmation of environmental technology performance through objective evidence.
Key objectives of ETV:
Supporting Informed Decision-Making:
The ETV process supports stakeholders in making well-informed decisions by providing accurate and reliable data on technology performance.
Enhancing demonstration, deployment, and market acceptance:
ETV plays a crucial role in enhancing the demonstration, deployment, and market acceptance of technology-based solutions. By offering third-party validation, it instills confidence in users and stakeholders.
GSES is committed to fostering transparency and credibility in the GreenTech sector, and the introduction of the ETV Module marks a significant step towards achieving these goals. As sustainability becomes an increasingly integral part of innovation, GSES continues to lead the way in providing robust frameworks and tools to propel the GreenTech industry forward.
For more information about the GSES ETV Module, please visit GSES