When we think green, we never expect business leaders such as Wal-Mart Brazil’s president, Hector Nunez to be nodding on the side as speakers such as the director of Greenpeace Brazil explain their beliefs on reusable bags instead of plastic ones.
Nunez has imposed new regulations, stating that its supply chains must not use slave labour, “soybeans from illegally deforested areas” and “beef sourced from newly clear Amazonian land”. The company is even insisting on a “70% reduction in phosphates in detergent by 2013”. Amazingly, Wal-Mart has been successful with its campaign by getting 20 major suppliers such as PepsiCo and Cargill to sign agreements, stating that they will oblige to the newly enforced rules.
This has led us to wonder why these companies (and others) have taken so long to respond to the global needs of “greener” practices and sourcing strategies or even other issues such as equality in the workforce between men/women. Perhaps companies will start requiring “proof of equal pay for women” when importing their goods. There are endless ways to address the arising problems.We are all wondering when we will see a change – if there’s even any time left before the world falls into an irreversible state.