THE PROCUREMENT INTERVIEW
Navigating global social standards Beyond carbon reduction, managing social sustainability across diverse geographies presents significant challenges, particularly where local cultural norms or regulations conflict with high social standards.
Schneider Electric addresses this through its Decent Work Programme( DWP).“ The DWP is Schneider Electric’ s forward-looking social framework, designed to complement traditional supplier ESG audits,” Christophe explains.“ While audits focus on immediate risk and compliance, DWP prepares suppliers for emerging human rights challenges, often before they become regulatory requirements.”
“ At its core, the programme recognises that social issues are deeply influenced by socioeconomic, cultural and behavioural factors. Sustainable progress isn’ t just about enforcing requirements, it’ s about enabling mindset, capability shifts and behavioural change.”
The company manages regional tensions by combining immediate risk management with long-term transformation. Audits ensure baseline compliance, while the DWP focuses on building capabilities progressively over time.
“ The programme is intentionally both aspirational and practical,” says Christophe.“ We recognise that not all topics may yet align with all local regulations or cultural norms. We focus on starting the journey by embedding these topics into policies, building awareness and encouraging commitment. The first step is to normalise the conversation.”
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