Blockchain can be used to enhance transparency in supply chains

Meet Fernando Sanchez Minaur, Sustainability Advisor at KPMG with focus on sustainability strategies, where he supports companies on their compliance journey with the new CSRD regulation and helping them set science-based targets across all environmental aspects. Hear his view on what sustainability transformation means to him.

What does sustainability transformation mean to you?

I think that sustainability transformation entails companies seeking to create long-term value, engaging stakeholders, and striving for resource efficiency in their operations. Whether it's a product or a service they offer, they improve their operations in these three areas.

What makes a transformation effort successful in your view?

I believe that having effective leadership with a clear vision of expectations, consistent communication with all relevant stakeholders to promote a culture of change, embracing agility and customer-centric technological innovation, and implementing metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate progress and impact are crucial.

How do you predict the risk- and compliance consulting landscape to take shape in a more digital world?

KPMG has a wide and global network of risk and compliance consultants who help our clients tackle their most significant challenges in different locations and operational contexts. From an ESG perspective, this extensive network enables us to leverage various aspects within the ESG landscape. For example, changes in legislation in one region can affect another. By continuously collaborating with our member firms on relevant ESG topics, we ensure efficient risk management and identification of opportunities across all industries.

How can you use emerging technologies to help solve clients’ sustainability challenges?

For instance, blockchain can be used to enhance transparency in supply chains, enabling the creation of a supply chain that is both transparent and traceable. We can, for example, suggest blockchain solutions to assist clients and their stakeholders in verifying the authenticity of sustainable and ethically sourced materials, thereby ensuring compliance with sustainability commitments. As an example, we have established partnerships with companies like Circulor to trace minerals used in battery manufacturing. Additionally, we offer Sustainability Software and Cloud Solutions to help organizations implement software and cloud-based solutions that streamline data management, reporting, and analysis.

Read about our latest case with Södra.

How do you and your team make a difference for other businesses?

As a diverse international team with a broad range of experience in developing and implementing sustainability strategies in various operational contexts, as well as expertise in the field of sustainable finance, we have a strong track record in successfully delivering ESG-related projects. Our team's key competencies and expertise span across multiple areas, enabling us to effectively address the unique challenges and opportunities that arise in this domain.