Taipei Cycle Show, 23 March – WBIA presented its Principles for more sustainable supply chain to the Bicycle Industry at a high level event held at the Taipei Cycle Show on 23 March. The aim of the WBIA Principles, divided up into 10 topics, is to advise companies on how to achieve significant environmental gains by adjusting their supply chain and production processes. In the panel discussion, representatives from leading companies also provided concrete examples on how WBIA Principles can be applied by sharing best practices from their work – whether it comes to clean energy, carbon footprint reductions or improved ecodesign and material use. You can access the principles here.
The event was opened by the WBIA and CONEBI President Erhard Büchel and the host of the session, TBA President Robert Wu. The speakers included Bob Margevicius (Specialized), Charlie Liu (Giant + Bicycling Alliance for Sustainability), Clémence Pétillion and Kubat Narynbek (Decathlon), Nick Myhre (SRAM), Burkhard Stork (ZIV); Manuel Marsilio and Jana Hrčková from the WBIA secretariat took on the role of the moderators.
The 10 Principles were put together by top industry experts from the several associations within the WBIA. The Principles are not supposed to represent an exhaustive overview of possible environmental action; nevertheless, they are a substantial overview of the fields in which effective changes can be made in the production process.
There is more to come from the WBIA. The Principles for more sustainable supply chain are just a beginning of the exchange on sustainability at a global level. As a next step, WBIA members agreed to further develop the recommendations and continue with collecting best practices from companies. With the new focus on sustainability, WBIA aims to guide and support the Bicycle Industry in its green transition– reflecting on the developments around the world.
The organization of the event was kindly hosted by Taiwan Bicycle Association, TAITRA and Bicycling Alliance for Sustainability.
Quotes:
Erhard Büchel from CONEBI and WBIA said: “As Bicycle Industry, we understand that the time to take sustainability action is now. Everybody knows that a bicycle is a solution and the Bicycle Industry now follows suit, aspiring to become as green as the product itself. That is why with the WBIA Principles for more sustainable supply chain, we are kicking off the conversation at a global level, under the roof of the WBIA. I am convinced that together we can learn from each other and have real impact. Several WBIA members already have amazing track record in sustainability action; when we pool our knowledge, nothing is impossible.”
“Addressing climate change is crucial to the future of the bike industry, which is why PeopleForBikes founded our industry Sustainability Working Group (SWG). Made up of 80 experts from 40+ bike industry brands across the United States, our SWG has the knowledge and experience to achieve meaningful progress on sustainability issues,” said PeopleForBikes Chief of Staff JJ Trout. “Our most pressing issue is within the global supply chain. The creation of these guidelines addressing this issue, with input from global partners, is a great indicator that the worldwide bicycle industry is ready to go further, faster, together. We are honored to be part of the solution.”
Robert Wu, Taiwan Bicycle Association President added: “As an important member of the global bicycle industry, the Taiwan Bicycle Industry advocates for promoting cycling culture and harmonious partnerships in the world-wide bicycle industry to cultivate a better world. BAS, CHC & TBA build a strategic triangular platform dedicated to providing green mobility via green manufacturing. We have only one Earth, so we must embrace comprehensive mutual altruism to advance and unify the greater good. Cycling is the simplest solution for environment protection. Let’s CYCLE NOW for a monumental green promise to our Earth and to our future.”
