Afbeelding
Dennis Vegter, researcher at the professorship Green Economics & Process Optimisation, has contributed to this through his research. “The SCOR model can be seen as a blueprint that companies can use to organise their purchasing, production, transport and returns in a smart way. Every educational institute worldwide that has anything to do with logistics includes this model in its programme. I have researched and written proposals too, how this model can also be used in a circular economy. The organisation managing SCOR read our publication and they invited me to help them reflect on a renewed model. That was realised in September.”
According to Vegter, several factors contributed to the realisation of a new logistics model. “The war in Ukraine and the Covid pandemic showed the disadvantages of working as lean as possible. One disruption brings down the entire production chain like a house of cards. We also have to deal with climate change and government rules and regulations that require sustainability, such as the carbon tax, and the fact that companies remain responsible for their end product, even after use.”
Companies that are currently taking a wait-and-see approach are missing the boat, the researcher believes. “I think you are going to see that a wait-and-see attitude will be punished. Companies doing nothing between now and the next five years will be too late. There is great urgency to change. I often get asked: where to start? Well, start by measuring one product first: What impact does it have on the natural and living environment? Which parts of the product cause the most impact and is it due to materials, production or transport? From there, the next steps follow naturally.”
Dennis Vegter will take part in a panel discussion at the climate conference in Egypt on Thursday 17 November 17:00, along with people from the oil and packaging industry, as well as others. Click here to sign up. He will also give a presentation on the new SCOR model in Utrecht on Tuesday 22 November. For more information or sign up, click here.