For many years, environmental concerns were the preserve of people sometimes derided as unrealistic dreamers or members of ‘alternative cultures’. In 2026, sustainability is mainstream, and required today – no longer a hoped for, nebulous goal with no set date, but a critical, immediate business requirement driven by intense regulatory scrutiny.
There are many reasons for the change. The biggest one – there is no Planet B – is core to all Green movements around the world, and should be enough for everyone, but other factors may be more immediately actionable in the workplace:
- Regulatory & legal pressure, mandatory reporting, and accountability: stricter standards (like UK-adopted ISSB-aligned standards) make high-quality, measurable and actionable data crucial for compliance
- Operational efficiency and energy cost: sustainability is now tied to energy cost reduction. Efficiency from better energy use and management together with investment in renewable energy generation such as solar panels, can help drive profit
- Financial impact: investors and lenders are using sustainability metrics to evaluate risk and valuation, particularly in IPOs and M&A. According to ESG Software provider, Key ESG, ESG is considered by 89% of investors when making investment decisions
- Employee attraction and retention: a 2023 Deloitte survey of employees reported that “55% of respondents…research brands’ environmental impact and policies before accepting a job, and more than 40% say they already have, or plan to, change jobs due to climate concerns.” Gen Zs and Millennials might be thought of as leading this movement – and they may be more vocal on the subject – but research indicates that sustainability is important for all ages. For example, 39% of over 55s would turn down a pay rise at a company that they considered unethical or non-sustainable, a survey of 2,000 people by Resource Solutions has found
Then, of course, there are your customers. According to ESG Today reports, a significant and growing number of businesses are willing to pay a premium for sustainable products and services, driven by the need to reduce their own Scope 3 emissions and meet corporate goals. Roughly 50% of B2B buyers are currently willing to pay a premium of 5% or more for sustainable options, Bain & Company studies indicate.
Neil Smith, Strategic Director, Sustainability reporting specialists, Koan Group puts it nicely: “An effective ESG strategy not only ensures the long-term sustainability of a company, but also helps attract and retain top talent, helps reduce business risks, while creating positive societal and environmental impacts.”
Sustainability is deeply embedded in Anglia’s ethos; it runs throughout the company, top to bottom, and is considered when evaluating every activity. Ultimately, the aim is to be carbon net zero. To achieve this, Anglia has measured its emissions to determine its carbon footprint. This has led to the company effecting practices and procedures that address Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (indirect) and Scope 3 (upstream and downstream) emissions.
Component air miles is an obvious target. Products sourced from global distributors with one or very few warehouses around the world will carry a significant air miles penalty. In contrast, shipping to customers in the EU and UK from Anglia’s Wisbech warehouse via the Anglia Live e-commerce platform produces seven times less CO2, for example, than transporting the same goods across the ‘pond’ from the US.
Another aspect which can get overlooked is the consolidation of shipments – or lack of – from multiple suppliers. As more manufacturers move to a model where they encourage direct sales via their own online platforms, the result is a greater number of smaller shipments. This is much less efficient than larger consolidated shipments and carries a significantly increased energy burden. By comparison, distributors like Anglia can streamline customer logistics, reduce shipments and cut the carbon footprint of the component.
Anglia also works to consolidate the shipments received from suppliers by placing larger but fewer orders. For example, on the Eurohm resistor range Anglia has always bought a container load of product at a time to maximise efficiencies of scale on shipping costs. This also ensures we keep our ‘Kings of Inventory’ reputation, and, of course, reduces the number of shipments and the carbon footprint.
Anglia 80/20, the company’s web based, real-time, vendor managed inventory system also plays a part in reducing unnecessary shipments, as it efficiently manages low cost commodity components, reducing errors, and streamlining the supply chain.
Remember that Scope 3 covers emissions up and down the supply chain. In move which is 180° in the opposite direction to some of the big US semiconductor makers, Anglia has worked collaboratively with several of its suppliers to reassign selected ‘direct’ customers to Anglia, enabling both the suppliers’ and customers’ organisations to reduce their carbon emissions by several tonnes of CO₂ each year.
Perhaps customers do not see the cost in financial terms if shipping is free, but inefficient, ill-considered practices are ultimately costing the earth: an analogy is that many streets receive three or four Amazon delivery drops every day; this may seem convenient for the consumer but is horrendous for our planet.
As reported in Procurement Pro before, Anglia has instigated many sustainability policies over the years. Plain, recyclable, reusable packaging and sealing tape is used, and intelligent software to ensure the optimum size box is selected for each delivery. The use of paper is avoided wherever possible, and where essential, recycled and recyclable paper or card is employed. Recycling is practiced throughout the company. Computers and printers that are no longer in use are sold or given away. Out-of-date branded marketing material is given away to employees or charities. Product disposal is handled only via authorised and registered recycling agents.
Power consumption is minimised by the use of smart building technology, and Anglia only buys low energy rated electronic goods. The company is powered by renewable energy and switches to green tariffs with its energy suppliers wherever possible. Unnecessary road travel is discouraged. All suppliers and contractors are asked to share their green credentials, and to use products with a lower environmental impact.
At Anglia our belief is that sustainability is necessary, desirable, and critically, it is achievable. It just needs commitment throughout the entire company, and a can-do attitude towards practices and planning.
About the author:
This article originally appeared in the March/April issue of Procurement Pro
