The Impact of the Wal-Mart Sustainability Scorecard Consolidated Findings

Definition of Sustainability  Fundamental concepts Filling present needs without compromising future generations Encompasses the triple bottom line (economic, social, environment) Business sustainability and environmental sustainability Cradle to cradle Actions to support present and future living

Awareness of Scorecard: Packaging Focus  1 of many metrics of scorecards and calculators  Familiarity Range:  Nothing  Actively worked with it

Questions about scorecard  Who do the Wal-Mart buyers work for?  What about the packaging from China? Are they utilizing the scorecard today or will this be included in the China launch?  Do each of the 13 other SVN’s (sustainability value networks) have a scorecard?

Findings  Conflicted interests which make it challenging Between marketing/product merchandising vs. product packaging/manufacturing  Chain effect – up and down supply chain  Limited scope – only North American today  Dedicated resources required to complete  Challenge to develop common terminology  Optional policy really isn’t optional if they want to sustain business with Wal-Mart  Rough start since go live date Feb 1, 2008 Number of scorecards uploads have not met expectations since start date

Recommendations/Questions  How do we locate and utilize available tools? Example: Kraft Foods Eco-Calculator  Who’s job is it to disseminate this information?  EM should be involved in sustainability groups – helping contribute and make decisions Should understand process of product packaging

Next Steps  Integrate this into academia’s curriculum  Answer questions Professor Jacobs post responses to questions after next Wal-Mart Committee meeting  Identify and post other existing network groups