Highlights

• Achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 is critical, with supply chain emissions often exceeding direct emissions.
• EarlyBirds effectively helps companies reduce their carbon footprints through advanced technologies and insights.
• Tailored solutions from EarlyBirds boost productivity and competitiveness while advancing carbon reduction efforts.

Achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 is one of the world's most pressing challenges. Individuals, businesses, and governments must act to combat global warming. However, efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions are often overshadowed by those produced by supply chain networks, which can be up to 5.5 times higher than direct emissions. Additionally, organisations face numerous barriers in their pursuit of carbon neutrality.

Common Barriers to Supply Chain Carbon Neutrality

A 2022 study highlighted the key obstacles to carbon reduction in business.

Leveraging EarlyBirds’ Carbon Reduction Expertise

EarlyBirds has a proven track record of helping companies reduce their carbon footprints. For example, it assisted Zespri, a major player in the kiwifruit industry, in understanding how emerging technologies could decarbonise its supply chain, Through Ecosystem Maps, EarlyBirds provided Zespri with strategic insights of strengths, weaknesses, and collaboration opportunities across different sectors and technologies.

Zespri praised EarlyBirds for its “exceptional proficiency in identifying disruptive technologies, data science, and industry insights”.

Tailored Carbon Reduction Pathways for Businesses

Recognising that each organisation has unique needs, EarlyBirds offers tailored solutions to access diverse advanced technologies and talent. These methods deliver significant benefits, including increased productivity, improved operational efficiency, and enhanced competitiveness. Additionally, EarlyBirds connects businesses with top subject matter experts and innovators, streamlining the process to ensure companies can effectively navigate their carbon reduction journeys.

EarlyBirds Skill Identification Program

The skill identification program helps organisations discover and retain top talent by leveraging industry veterans with high credibility. The program delivers actionable, data-driven insights using advanced technologies such as machine learning, AI, and predictive analytics. This approach enables organisations to find individuals with the technical and managerial skills required for significant growth.

EarlyBirds Innovation Ecosystem

EarlyBirds’ award-winning Innovation Ecosystem drives innovation and strategic thinking across all business areas. It connects early adopters, innovators, and subject matter experts (SMEs) to accelerate innovation adoption and business growth. The Ecosystem houses a database of over 5 million global innovations spanning multiple industries, offering solutions that may already address the challenges an organisation faces. Organisations can also request tailored innovations from innovators.

EarlyBirds Ecosystem Maps

EarlyBirds provides Ecosystem Maps to assist organisations in tackling key issues. These maps feature startups, scaleups, and established companies within specific themes and sub-themes, guiding organisations on their innovation journey. Additionally, the maps track a wide range of daily and historical news and media from around the globe.

EarlyBirds Explorer Program

The Explorer Program is designed for organisations seeking innovation as a service to enhance their existing programs or undertake innovation projects. It speeds up technological innovation with various features such as a platform enterprise license, quarterly and monthly innovation days, a focus on diverse innovations, regular webinars, and dedicated support from a SME.

EarlyBirds Challenger Program

The Challenger Program targets specific organisational or technical challenges and seeks the most relevant innovators that align with technical, organisational and risk criteria. Managed by an EarlyBirds SME, the program involves identifying key issues, exploring the data pool for suitable solutions, and selecting the best option. The SME then creates a roadmap for the next steps, proof of concept, trials, or full implementation.