The world of risk management is changing as organisations face increasing pressure to address sustainability risks and ensure supply chain resilience. Stakeholders are demanding greater transparency and accountability, resulting in the need to identify and mitigate sustainability risks. More than ever risk management has become a strategic imperative for organisations.
Governance Requirements and Sustainability Risks
Increasing legislation and industry initiatives are driving the integration of sustainability considerations into risk management frameworks and taxonomy. The Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria are emerging as a critical lens through which investors and regulators assess a company’s performance and long-term viability. Initiatives such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the newly introduced EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) mandate companies to identify and disclose sustainability risks across their operations and supply chains. The principles of risk and opportunity identification alongside prioritisation are the foundations for organisations looking to embed sustainable procurement principles.
Traditional Risk Assessment Processes vs New Methodologies
These different lens for considering risk are leading to new and evolving methodologies. But how does new thinking in risk identification differ from traditional risk assessment thinking?
There are some fundamental differences:
Let’s look at a couple of these changes in more detail.
Stakeholder Engagement and Supply Chain Due Diligence
Stakeholder engagement has become a crucial component of sustainability risk identification. By actively involving employees, local communities, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders, companies can gain valuable insights into potential risks and impacts that may not be immediately apparent from within the organization. This inclusive approach not only enhances risk identification but also fosters trust and transparency.
In addition, supply chain due diligence has gained prominence as companies recognize the need to understand and mitigate sustainability risks beyond their direct operations. Sustainable procurement practices enable organisations to identify and address risks related to sustainability impacts throughout their supply chains.
Leverage Considerations and Prioritisation
When evaluating sustainability risks, organisations must consider their leverage and ability to influence change. By prioritising risks based on their potential impact, likelihood, and the company’s leverage, organisations can allocate resources more effectively and drive meaningful change within their sphere of influence.
Methodological Challenges and Implementation
The shift towards incorporating sustainability and supply chain risks into organisational risk management poses significant challenges that companies must overcome:
Five Tips for Evaluating Sustainability Risks
Traditional risk assessment methodologies focus on protecting organizational interests, while the new methodologies for sustainability risk assessment take a broader view, considering the organisation’s impacts on stakeholders and the environment, engaging stakeholders, and prioritising risks based on leverage and influence. As sustainability and supply chain resilience become increasingly important, organizations are recognising the need to integrate these new methodologies into their risk management frameworks.
Helen Carter
Lead Consultant
Helen@actionsustainability.com
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