Sustainability

Revise Sustainability for Commerce 7100 (O Level) — revision notes, 38 practice questions and instant AI marking.

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Cambridge O Level Commerce 7100

Sustainability

The big idea: A sustainable supply chain meets the needs of customers today without using up the resources or damaging the environment that future generations will need. Each action a business takes costs something now, and the exam question is always whether the gains justify that cost.

Summary — What This Chapter Covers

The purpose of sustainability in the supply chain: making commercial processes eco-friendly and environmentally responsible for future generations.
Nine actions: sustainable materials, sustainable logistics, reducing packaging, eco-friendly products, recycling and reducing waste, fewer returns and exchanges, digital resale marketplaces, free repair services and water stewardship.
Benefits to the business: a better reputation, customers who choose green brands, lower costs from less waste and energy, new revenue (resale, repairs).
Drawbacks: higher costs at the start, sustainable materials may cost more, prices may have to rise, and customers may doubt the claims.

1. The Purpose of Sustainability in the Supply Chain

Syllabus 6.1.1 · Papers 1 & 2

Eco-friendly and responsible for future generations

A supply chain takes raw materials from the earth, turns them into products, moves them around the world and ends with something thrown away. At every stage it can use up resources (water, forests, oil) and create pollution and waste.

Definition · Sustainability Meeting the needs of the present without harming the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In the supply chain, its purpose is to make commercial processes eco-friendly and environmentally responsible for future generations.

Stage of the supply chain	What can harm the environment	What a sustainable chain does
Raw materials	Cutting forests, using large amounts of water, mining	Uses renewable or recycled materials; protects water supplies
Production	Energy use, pollution, waste materials	Saves energy, recycles waste, uses cleaner processes
Transport and warehousing	Fuel use and carbon emissions	Full loads, efficient routes, cleaner vehicles
Selling and packaging	Plastic and excess packaging	Less packaging, recyclable materials
After the sale	Products thrown away early, returns	Repairs, resale, recycling, fewer returns

Benefits to the business	Drawbacks to the business
Better reputation and brand image, which attracts customers and staff	Sustainable materials and new equipment often cost more
Lower costs over time from using less energy, water and packaging	Higher costs may mean higher prices and fewer sales
New sources of revenue, such as resale and repair services	Changes take time and staff training
Meets the demands of governments, investors and customers	Customers may be sceptical if the claims are not proven

Practice Question 1

State the purpose of sustainability in the supply chain.

2. Actions to Improve Sustainability

Syllabus 6.1.2 · Papers 1 & 2

Nine actions a business can take

Action	What it means	Example
Using sustainable materials in the production process	Materials that are renewable, recycled or have less impact: recycled plastic, sustainably managed timber, organic cotton	A furniture maker uses wood only from forests that are replanted
Implementing sustainable logistics
Reducing packaging
Selling eco-friendly products
Water stewardship

Memorise

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Weighing sustainability against cost

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Past papers that test Sustainability

Real Commerce 7100 papers with questions on this topic — open one and get it marked instantly, free.

7100 Jun 2026 · Paper 1 · Variant 2 Cambridge · mark scheme Open → 7100 Jun 2026 · Paper 2 · Variant 2 Cambridge · mark scheme Open → 7100 Jun 2025 · Paper 1 · Variant 2 Cambridge · mark scheme Open → 7100 Jun 2025 · Paper 2 · Variant 2 Cambridge · mark scheme Open → 7100 Nov 2024 · Paper 1 · Variant 2 Cambridge · mark scheme Open → 7100 Jun 2024 · Paper 1 · Variant 2 Cambridge · mark scheme Open →

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Sustainability

Sustainability

Eco-friendly and responsible for future generations

Nine actions a business can take

Past papers that test Sustainability

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