In this episode of the Sustainable Value Chains podcast by EcoVadis, host Fergal Byrne is joined by Alexandra Delval, Vice President of Supplier Sustainability at CBRE, the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm. Alexandra shares CBRE’s journey toward sustainable procurement and their pioneering initiatives to decarbonize their extensive supply chain, which spans over 131,000 suppliers globally.
Alexandra begins by providing an overview of CBRE’s sustainability strategy, highlighting three cornerstone programs: the Sustainable Procurement Program, the Carbon Trace Program (focused on supply chain decarbonization), and ESG governance and reporting for the supply chain. These initiatives, she explains, are vital in addressing regulatory pressures, client demands, and CBRE’s broader net-zero ambitions.
Key drivers of CBRE’s sustainable procurement strategy include integrating sustainability into procurement processes, understanding supplier maturity, and addressing the complex regulatory landscape. Alexandra delves into the evolution of their approach, from consolidating spend data to setting up KPIs like the Sustainable Spend Metric and developing strategies to address upstream emissions. She recounts milestones such as gaining SBTI validation for net-zero targets and launching their Carbon Trace program to tackle supply chain emissions.
A critical component of CBRE’s success has been their data-centric approach. Alexandra details how a centralized view of supplier spend data, coupled with insights from EcoVadis assessments, has been instrumental in shaping procurement strategies. By aggregating and normalizing data across regions and categories, CBRE has ensured consistent, actionable insights for both internal stakeholders and clients.
The Carbon Trace program, a cornerstone of CBRE’s decarbonization efforts, focuses on engaging suppliers of varying maturity levels to drive emissions reductions. Alexandra outlines the program’s phased approach, which includes screening, goal setting, data collection, and decarbonization actions. By the end of 2025, CBRE aims to engage 7,500 suppliers, with 3,000 already onboarded by 2023.
One unique challenge CBRE faces is its diverse supply chain, heavily reliant on service providers rather than raw materials or manufactured goods. Alexandra discusses how CBRE adapted its strategy to accommodate this, emphasizing supplier-specific emissions intensity metrics rather than product-based carbon footprints. Emerging technologies such as AI and machine learning also play a role in CBRE’s efforts, particularly in data analysis and supplier benchmarking. However, Alexandra cautions that these tools must be complemented by human ingenuity and collaboration.
Looking ahead, CBRE aims to shift its focus from data-based processes to relationship-based and governance-focused initiatives. Alexandra emphasizes the importance of differentiating between supplier willingness and capability, adapting strategies accordingly, and maintaining a commitment to continuous improvement.
The episode concludes with Alexandra’s advice for organizations embarking on similar journeys: cultivate strong internal and external relationships, leverage existing frameworks and tools, and focus on long-term, impact-driven goals. Her vision of sustainability as a continuous, collaborative process serves as a call to action for the wider business community.
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