Nature Positive Role of the Technology Sector 2025

6.1 Suppliers with sustainability certificates –Tech companies across the value chain should identify and work with suppliers who hold sustainability certifications and have conducted impact assessments of their operations. –Certifications, especially when through reputable bodies and verified through independent auditors, provide a foundational level of assurance that suppliers are managing operations with regard for the environment. A non-exhaustive list of certifications is listed in Box 5. –Companies can go further by requesting product-level environmental pressure data across nature-loss drivers and prioritizing suppliers that report on their nature-related impacts, enabling more informed procurement decisions and targeted improvement efforts. Examples: Delta Electronics has developed a supplier code of conduct focused on collaborating with suppliers to develop sustainable development targets for various areas, including energy conservation and carbon reduction, sustainable raw material procurement and waste reduction.111 ASUS has adopted a nuanced supplier grading management system. ISO 14001 certification is mandatory for all qualified suppliers, with additional requirements for specific issues. On water, motherboard suppliers must submit annual wastewater discharge testing reports. Suppliers who use substantive amounts of freshwater must identify mitigation measures if located near biodiversity-sensitive areas. In most cases, adopting a tiered approach to identify and manage factors with the highest environmental impacts, along with their corresponding suppliers, can improve the effectiveness of collaboration.ACTION 6 Engage with your supply chain Priority actions for supply chain engagement Action Leadership Feasibility Mitigation hierarchy Sub-sector 6.1Identify and work with suppliers who hold sustainability certifications (e.g. ISO 14001, Forest Stewardship Council, Rainforest Alliance) and have conducted impact assessments of their operations.Foundational High Avoid/reduce 6.2Engage with metal and mineral suppliers for recycled materials and mining companies for lower impact materials (e.g. through book and claim transactions).Aspirational High Avoid/reduce 6.3Collaborate with suppliers to identify and replace high-impact chemicals and gases (e.g. containing PFASs or high GWP) with less impactful versions where possible.Leading Low Avoid/reduce 6.4Seek out zero- or low-carbon alternatives for building materials and other material inputs.Leading High Avoid/reduce 6.5For high-impact chemicals and gases that do not have existing alternatives, work with suppliers to develop new processes and inputs to phase out high-impact materials over time.Aspirational Low Avoid/reduce 6.6Set commitments related to building a responsible supply chain across nature- loss drivers (e.g. water, land, pollution and waste, GHG emissions) and ensuring broader regulatory guidance is followed throughout the value chain.Leading High Avoid/reduce Semiconductors Data centres Hardware Nature Positive: Role of the Technology Sector 40