Warning on World News Australia

Two news articles appeared back-to-back on SBS World News this evening, which will send a sobering message to executives and boards regarding their supply chains.

Harvey Norman is being accused by environmental group, Market for Change, and political activists, Get Up!, of using non-sustainable, native Australian forests within its furniture manufacture.

This was closely followed by an Al Jazeera story on Bangladeshi production of leather. In the tanneries of Dhaka, leather workers are being exposed to large amounts of chromium, which is carcinogenic at such levels. The element is also being distributed in the water around the villages, which is killing off fish and other organisms that a just decade ago, thrived in these waterways. The leather produced in these villages is exported to western nations to be made into bags and shoes.

The tales highlight how organisations need to take responsibility and control of all components of their products, prior to manufacture. Respected businessman Gerry Harvey was active in defending his company practices, calling himself an environmentalist and suggesting that sometimes native forest wood 'slips through,' alongside that of plantation wood. But his protestations seemed flimsy coming from such a corporate giant. And although Get Up! may not get permission to air an advertisement it has produced on the issue in a bought slot during this week's State of Origin, the Get Up! team will be celebrating the SBS World News coverage this evening.

Corporate communications teams take note. The issue of climate change may not be rousing the same levels of consumer concern as it did just few years ago (see last week's Lowy Institute Poll), but poor sustainability practices, both pre, during and at end-of-life for products, can still provoke reputational damage. Brainstorming with senior management to consider where gaps in organisational practices could be, and where companies may be criticised, is an essential first step. This should lead to more in-depth auditing of procedures, roadmaps for improving practices and the development of issues preparedness plans, to help organisations manage and improve their reputations - via more responsible practices.