In a new episode of Global Connections, CNN explores the critical interconnected trade networks that are key to global prosperity. From more sustainable practices to newly created supply chains, these businesses and projects are generating new opportunities for prosperity.
In Switzerland, the show sees how luxury watchmaker Breitling is responsibly sourcing one of the world’s most complicated raw materials – gold. Aurelia Figueroa, Global Head of Sustainability at Breitling, speaks about the importance of providing sourcing information to consumers, “Traceability, in order to be legitimate, requires specific information. It’s important to make that transparent, not buried in a report somewhere, but really something that is accessible.”
Breitling is using Sourcemap, a New York-based supply chain software, to support its work. Calling itself the ‘social media for supply chains,’ Sourcemap allows customers to chart every supplier it works with. Founder and CEO Leonardo Bonanni describes the complexity of modern supply chains, “It’s very common for a modern, multi-national corporation to have hundreds of thousands of suppliers if you go all the way back to the farms, to the factories, to the warehouses.”
Next, Global Connections highlights how a small manufacturing change at Ikea can cut carbon emissions. In an attempt to manufacture greener products, Ikea carried out comprehensive analysis of its carbon footprint, finding that 5% of the company’s total emissions come from the glue that binds its furniture together. Swapping out this small component is a huge undertaking for such a large company. Venla Hemmila is a Material & Technology Engineer for Adhesives at Ikea and she discusses the project to use bio glues, “It’s still just the beginning. We need to work harder to reduce the carbon footprint of glues, but also the other materials. We can make the bio-based glues even better and reduce the energy in the production.”
In Ghana, CNN meets one of Africa’s largest artisan employers who sells handmade goods in high volumes to the world’s largest retailers while simultaneously meeting the highest standards of ethical production. All Across Africa connects African collectives to global markets in a bid to fetch higher prices. CEO Alicia Wallace explains, “Artistan craft is exporting a product and importing US dollars. We work to provide training and the skill set to rural artisans connecting them with the global marketplace.”
Finally, the programme highlights a new packaging product from India that can curb food waste. A third of the world’s food goes uneaten, but in developing countries, most produce goes bad before hitting the market. Greenpod Labs is fighting this food waste with a small sachet that extends the shelf life of fresh produce by up to 40%. Founder and CEO Deepak Rajmohan talks about his product, “Whenever I hear from a farmer or a trader saying that, because of our product, they are able to reach new markets, because of our product they’re able to earn more money, that gives us satisfaction. When I started, I never thought that it would become this big, and we’d be able to solve multiple people’s problems. It starts with a small idea, but if you pursue that relentlessly and with a passion, I think that you can solve the majority of problems.”
Global Connections airs in association with DP World on CNN International.
