ABSTRACT
The supply circle, or corporate shareability, or shared value, are not mere soundbites, but proven methods of meeting disparate human needs without damaging others. There is now a thriving network of corporate sustainability specialists, and increasing awareness of how environmentally smarter supply systems can actually help the business and the customer. The late twentieth-century agenda, in which green non-governmental organisations (NGOs) sought to apply moral or legislative pressure to persuade or force corporations to behave in a more responsible fashion, is out of date. Sustainable development, and good prices for farmers, are hugely in the multinationals' interest, in order to keep farmers on the land, maintain productivity, and prevent soil erosion or nutrient depletion. The newest, smartest approaches combine lower environmental impact with savings for the business. Pressure to be lean, smart and green come from within businesses themselves.
