United States, 11th Oct 2024, -
New York, NY, USA - At the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Annual Meeting, held during New York Climate Week, Cenk Alper, CEO of Sabancı Holding, highlighted Sabancı's forward-thinking approach to sustainability. The event, which brought together global leaders from diverse sectors, underscored the critical need for businesses to embrace sustainable development in the face of escalating climate challenges.
Sabancı Holding, a proud member of the WBCSD since 2020, hosted key events during Climate Week NYC, representing Turkish industry on a global stage. Alper’s address resonated with a central message: businesses must prioritize sustainability not only as a response to risk but as a pathway to transformation. "We can manage crises, but climate emergencies require us to focus all our resources and energy in one direction," Alper stated, illustrating Sabancı's deep-rooted commitment to sustainability.
Alper articulated the Sabancı Group’s three-pronged strategy: first, managing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance; second, embedding sustainability into every investment decision; and third, fostering an ecosystem that promotes long-term sustainable goals. This approach positions Sabancı not merely as a participant in the green economy, but as a transformative force within it.
One of the key points in Alper’s speech was the extensive tracking of sustainability metrics across the group's 18 companies—monitoring some 1,000 data points. This meticulous data tracking reflects Sabancı’s holistic view of sustainability as integral to business strategy, not just as risk mitigation.
Alper shared a compelling anecdote, illustrating the real-world impact of climate change on Sabancı's operations. A few years ago, a devastating flood in Thailand submerged a production facility, halting their supply chain for tire manufacturers. However, Sabancı's adaptive resilience was showcased through the establishment of a supply bridge from the U.S. to Thailand, avoiding massive financial losses. This experience highlights Sabancı’s ability to pivot quickly in response to environmental challenges—a hallmark of its approach to sustainable leadership.
Yet, the company’s sustainability strategy extends far beyond crisis management. Alper emphasized that sustainability must be at the heart of innovation, particularly by placing the circular economy at the forefront. Sabancı has dedicated over 50% of its R&D budget to projects supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a strong focus on renewable energy, sustainable materials, and e-mobility.
Sabancı’s commitment to the green economy aligns with broader global trends, as companies worldwide recognize that digitalization and sustainability are the dual drivers of the new economy. Alper’s remarks serve as a call to action for the business community, stressing that sustainability is not just a corporate responsibility but a competitive advantage.
As Türkiye's leading conglomerate, Sabancı Holding is not only meeting the demands of today’s climate reality but positioning itself as a leader in the transition to a more sustainable future. Through its innovative and bold approach, Sabancı is demonstrating that businesses can—and must—be a driving force in the fight against climate change.
In a world where collaboration between stakeholders is more critical than ever, Sabancı’s leadership shows that long-term success will belong to companies that invest in sustainable solutions, both for the planet and for business growth. Sabancı Holding’s bold vision, led by Cenk Alper, is a testament to the company’s role as a game-changer in the global economy. For more information, you can view the full press release here.
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Organization: SABANCI
Contact person: Yeliz Kazan
Website: https://www.sabanci.com/tr
Email: https://www.sabanci.com/tr
Country: United States
Release id: 10830
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