Moments of inspiration are never in short supply in the Tradeshift CNBC Sanctuary at Davos, and this year was no exception. Over three days we welcomed changemakers from all walks of life to share their views on topics that exist at the intersection of trade, technology, and culture. Let’s take a moment to recap what was said throughout the week.
“When we think about sustainable supply chains, we have a tendency to talk about just emissions and the carbon footprint, but we need to think much more broadly than that. What’s the social-economic impact of supply chain decisions on individuals and communities?”
The supply chain decisions made by businesses matter. Their impact has both a short- and long-term impact on individuals, communities and the environment. The message from our panels was that it’s imperative that businesses looking to become sustainable consider all these factors when making any supply chain decisions.
"About 60% of the fashion industry is super engaged in becoming more sustainable and 40% of the industry is doing next to nothing.”
Morten Lehmann, Chief Sustainability Officer at the Global Fashion Agenda
In 2020, everyone is talking about sustainability; because sustainability sells. But it’s not enough for businesses to talk about becoming sustainable, it’s taking positive action that makes the difference. And the fact is that too few businesses are taking positive steps right now in the fashion industry and beyond. So will 2020 be the year that businesses stop the greenwashing and make sustainability a business priority?
“Women make up 43% of the global agriculture workforce. This isn’t just a workforce, it’s a force for change.”
Empowering women may be the biggest opportunity we have to transform the world by driving human development and economic growth. Yet across most of the world, the gender gap remains vast and women are held back by norms and stereotypes. But businesses can change this and unlock this opportunity by leveraging new technology and thinking to provide more opportunities for women to thrive.
“Payments and financing are two of the biggest barriers to progress in Africa. By digitizing these areas we will give entrepreneurs on the continent more chances to export their products, to get paid quicker, and innovate further.”
Mikkel Hippe Brun, Co-founder & SVP Asia Pacific, Tradeshift
"Money is just the relationship between a creditor and debtor. You can crystalize that relationship in many different ways and forms,"
Niall Ferguson, author, broadcaster, and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institute
If we can reimagine money, we can reimagine anything. So while it may be easy for individuals and businesses to follow the status quo, shift only happens when we’re curious and think differently.
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