The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) and Drive Sustainability has released the updated version of the “Automotive Industry Guiding Principles to Enhance Sustainability Performance in the Supply Chain,” the reference document for suppliers that aims to address the latest trends and industry expectations on supply chain sustainability.
AIAG and Drive Sustainability, BMW Group, Daimler Truck, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Honda, Jaguar Land Rover, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Scania, Stellantis, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, Volvo Cars, and Volvo Group all participated in this most recent revision of the 2014 document, as well as its initial update in 2017. Both then and now, this extraordinary alignment between automakers was the result of a need to address critical issues impacting today’s industry, and to speak with a unified voice on the importance of a sustainable, ethical supply chain.
Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, LLC (HDMA) Business Unit Lead Mike Lapham explains: “Sustainability matters beyond individual companies and the forward thinking Guiding Principles speak to the industry’s commitment, collaboration and continued necessity to speak with one voice across the automotive supply chain.”
AIAG Director of Corporate Responsibility and Supply Chain Products & Services, Tanya Bolden, elaborates: “Recent and emerging legislative mandates, coupled with the ongoing complexity of today’s global supply chain, make these revisions to the Guiding Principles more vital than ever. In moving from a more aspirational tone and approach to one that better highlights current industry expectations and guidelines, we have created more thorough guidance to support supplier partners at all tiers.”
The revised Guiding Principles now include sections on circularity, carbon neutrality, animal welfare, biodiversity, land use and deforestation.
François Dossa, Executive Director, Strategy and Sustainability, Jaguar Land Rover explains: “Sustainability sits at the heart of our Reimagine strategy and is an integral part of our vision of Modern Luxury. As part of our journey to Net Zero by 2039 and aligned to our Science-Based Targets initiative goals by 2030, we are proud to have played a vital role alongside other partners in updating the Automotive Guiding Principles. We know that collaborating with world leaders and experts in their fields is the way to drive real change within the industry across the entire ecosystem, from manufacturers to suppliers.”
As a companion piece to the Guiding Principles, the supplementary “Global Automotive Sustainability Practical Guidance” has also been updated to better reflect current practicalities and legalities of meeting these industry expectations.
Executive Director of CSR Europe, Stefan Crets, facilitator of Drive Sustainability concludes: “The engagement between automotive companies and their suppliers becomes a real force for the sustainability transformation. This is enforced by the increased attention for a due diligence approach by legislators that also includes a proactive way of tackling issues. The release of the new Guiding Principles and Practical Guidance is part of Drive Sustainability’s enhanced commitment to sustainability. We are happy to collaborate with AIAG and its members to put the basis of a global automotive strategy on supply chain sustainability. This is the foundation to strengthen Drive Sustainability impact-oriented activities like the Raw Material Outlook, the training offer to suppliers and other change-oriented work”.
Additional resources from both AIAG and Drive Sustainability also help companies of all sizes meet sustainability performance expectations. AIAG tools and training include free online courses and assessments – e.g., the Supply Chain Sustainability eLearning and Supply Chain Sustainability Knowledge Assessment – along with additional options for AIAG members. In support of the same industry goals for the social and environmental performance of the supply chain, Drive Sustainability also offers an integrated approach, providing direction via common standards and guidance, common tools for data collection and transparency – including the Self-Assessment Questionnaire and Raw Materials Outlook – and other supplier trainings, e-Learning, and supplier engagement resources.
Click here to download the newly revised Global Guiding Principles and supplementary industry Practical Guidance.