Sustainability and ESG Consultancy GIRAFFE Associates Ltd has been awarded a Business Innovation Grant (BIG) by Invest NI to research, develop and test a bespoke supply chain sustainability programme for companies in the Advanced Manufacturing and Construction Sectors.

As part of the research phase, which closes on 14 March, the company is asking companies in these sectors to complete a short survey to provide feedback on their efforts to engage suppliers on sustainability and the challenges they face. If you’re a manufacturing or construction company, you can provide your feedback here and you’ll also be in with a chance of taking part in the free pilot with up to 10 of your key suppliers.

Managing Director Gillian McKee said “We’re consistently finding in working with clients that when they reach the stage of trying to engage their suppliers on sustainability, many haven’t started their own journey and don’t indeed know where or how to start. This slows down progress for the customer and is hampering the wider ESG efforts of NI plc. Whilst some general supports are available, we think an approach that’s tailored to meeting the needs of a specific supply chain may be more beneficial to all involved and we are delighted to have been awarded a grant to test that proposition.”

The companies on the pilot will have access to the Climate Essentials software platform to record, calculate and monitor their carbon footprint, offering a highly beneficial and practical support on the net zero journey that so many companies are currently trying to navigate. GIRAFFE Associates has appointed Sally O’Kane from SOK Consultancy to help develop and pilot the programme.

Any company in the advanced manufacturing or construction sectors who would like to know more should contact either gillian@giraffeassociates.com or sally@sok-consultancy.com.