While the globalisation of supply chains offers myriad opportunities for MSMEs to scale and access new markets, the call for them to disclose, verify and track their sustainability performances may prove to be a hindrance in accessing the growing pools of green supply chains, business and financing opportunities.

Project Savannah was developed to help these MSMEs overcome the challenges they face in measuring and reporting their environmental, social and governance (ESG) performances. It seeks to do so through capacity building, simplified reporting and more accessible data.

In this session, participants will exchange views on how to strengthen resourcing and incentivisation for MSMEs to undertake such reporting, and how governments, international organisations and private sector players can coordinate support. Additionally, they will discuss how Project Savannah can be scaled more rapidly and efficiently, and to which priority markets, in order for its benefits to be promulgated to areas of greatest need.

This roundtable seeks to establish the foundations for a Project Savannah implementation playbook that outlines deployment strategies, best practices, and actionable steps for current and future participants.

Sustainability has become a key consideration for businesses to access the proliferation of green supply chains, business and financing opportunities. MNCs, large businesses and financial institutions are investing deeply to build up inhouse expertise. In comparison, many of the SMEs that make up key components of larger firms’ supply chains have yet to commence their sustainability journeys, citing challenges in navigating the complex standards and reporting landscape, coupled with high costs of technological solutions and training/advisory services. 
 
Substantial and coordinated support is needed for SMEs to rapidly build their skillsets. Are there shortcuts SMEs can take to quickly equip themselves? What are some of the key resources and cost-effective technologies availed to them? What more do SMEs require? We discuss.