Sustainable Supply Chain Management Conference opens in two weeks

Skype speakers

Via Skype, two international speakers will present to delegates. They are Catharena van Zyl, an environmental scientist from the Environmental Protection and Encouragement Agency International, based in Germany and Derk Kuiper, executive director of the Water Footprint Network based in the Netherlands.

Cradle to cradle

Van Zyl's presentation, Cradle to cradle methodology and international best practice will cover the concept of ‘cradle to cradle' as a design concept and include an interview with Dr. Michael Braungart of the Braungart Institute.

“Building on the principles of waste equals food; use of current solar income; and celebrating diversity; I will explore how worldwide, companies across industries are connecting with each other to achieve continuous and trustful nutrient flows,” said Van Zyl.

“I have been working with several companies in the Netherlands in applying cradle to cradle and will give examples and insights into this approach of creating a new quality standard along the whole supply chain. Delegates will gain a better understanding of how cradle to cradle accelerates new ways of cooperation between all participants along the supply chain,” she concluded.

Water Footprint

Derk Kuiper will be presenting on behalf of Professor Arjen Hoekstra, Professor in Multidisciplinary Water Management at the University of Twente and scientific director of the Water Footprint Network.

“The water footprint has generated excitement and interest around the world as a means to understand water consumption in a globalised context. The presentation will introduce the water footprint and its applications at a national, business and product level. For business operating in countries that are water stressed, such as South Africa, the water footprint methodology provides strategic information on risk and where to focus sustainability efforts,” said Kuiper

Other topics that will be covered at the conference include corporate sustainability issues - incentives and assistance, several case studies such as Mondi and Climate Change - A Business Overview, and the role of government in green supply and energy efficiency saving initiatives.

For more information on the conference, email .