Sustainability LIVE Dubai: Sustainable Supply Chains Panel
In a dynamic and punchy session at Sustainability LIVE Dubai, a panel of ESG leaders and sustainability experts share practical insights on transforming global supply chains.
The discussion featured:
- Wesley Thomson, Partner, Head of ESG MENA at Knight Frank
- Belvinder Kaur Sron, CEO at Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC)
- Nishtha Gupta, Group Head-Sustainability & ESG at Suzlon Group
Each brought unique sectoral perspectives to the debate around balancing people, planet and profit in today’s volatile landscape.
Defining a sustainable supply chain
The conversation opened with each panellist offering their view on what a truly sustainable supply chain looks like today.
Wesley began by highlighting the foundational role of ESG data.
“The ability to really have a handle on the ESG data and sustainability, to be able to report it, know what you're using, know what the carbon footprint is that is a pretty good start right now,” he said.
He also stressed the need to explore alternative sources of supply.
Belvinder emphasised the importance of the ‘three Ps’ – people, planet and profit – particularly in commodity sectors like palm oil.
She pointed out the need to “produce more on less land” while supporting smallholders for long-term economic viability.
Nishtha focused on risk management, explaining that “responsible consumption and traceability principles” are vital and must account for environmental, social and governance pillars, including human rights.
He also referenced the growing influence of India’s Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework, noting its role in enhancing credibility beyond compliance.
Challenges and blockers to progress
Next, the panel explored the blockers preventing organisations from realising their sustainability goals. Belvinder spoke at length about the difficulties small farmers face in meeting traceability requirements.
“Many of the small farmers do not have smartphones, they have no access to GPS tools, their land blocks are often very small and scattered,” she said.
She cited the EU Deforestation Regulation as a major hurdle, especially for those without the resources or digital literacy to comply.
Nishtha added that one of the biggest barriers is a “lack of resources of vendors.”
He explained that smaller suppliers often need significant training and support to understand and deliver against greenhouse gas accounting and ESG metrics.
“The journey cannot be completed till the time we are working along with them,” he emphasised, stressing the need for hand-holding and tool provision.
Wesley rounded off the segment by highlighting the need for standardisation.
“There needs to be some element of standardisation across what is a sustainable supply chain in the different sectors,” he said, pointing out how difficult it can be for small and medium enterprises to compete with larger players without clear and consistent benchmarks.
Empowering suppliers through partnership
Turning to solutions, the panel discussed how best to support suppliers on the sustainability journey.
Nishtha was clear that “penalties will not work,” advocating instead for collaboration, education and clear timelines.
He described efforts within his organisation to assess geographies, identify challenges, and scale up market creation for low-carbon steel via the India Green Steel Coalition.
Wesley agreed that incentives were key but warned that execution needed to be smart.
Citing a real estate example, he mentioned how one developer offered financial support for sustainability improvements, only to find suppliers unwilling to report back due to existing contract clauses that would require them to lower their prices.
“There’s got to be careful consideration, look through the procurement process, understand the contracts in place,” he advised.
Belvinder echoed the importance of education.
“You can't just produce a manual and give it to a farmer. You need to hold their hands,” she said, adding that incentives such as premium pricing and certification support can boost compliance.
She adds: “If we don't provide that, chances are they are going to be left behind.”
Futureproofing in a turbulent global trade environment
To close, each speaker was asked how they were preparing supply chains for an increasingly unstable global trade environment.
Wesley underscored the need for genuine observation and verification.
“There is a difference between saying something is sustainable and actually understanding why and how,” he said.
He also pointed out the importance of social impacts, not just environmental claims, when assessing supplier practices.
Belvinder highlighted how diversification of markets has helped mitigate geopolitical and regulatory risk.
Her organisation’s five-year roadmap has led to stronger exports in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and ASEAN.
“There has been a notable shift in our export trends. Certified sustainable palm oil is gaining a lot more traction,” she said.
Finally, Nishtha stressed the need to embed sustainability into procurement as a risk management tool. He advocated for preferential sourcing, supplier scaling and working across ESG metrics, particularly ethics.
“No organisation would prefer to work with any supplier who is not working on strong ethics,” he concluded.
Essential diary dates for 2025
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- Sustainability LIVE London | 9-10 September
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