This Week on Supply Chain Now: October 5th – 9th

Supply chain management is constantly evolving. Whether you see the glass as half full or half empty, this dynamic environment brings both challenges and opportunities to the fore. The good news is that, while challenges continue to emerge, experts and thought leaders who offer insights and strategies are changing the industry, too. This article highlights three such visionaries — Searoutes Co-Founder & CEO Pierre Garreau, Noodle.ai Chief Operating Officer Michael Ciatto, and Owlery Co-Founder Travis Downs — who not only offer fresh perspectives but are also driving change through their innovative approaches. Three Voices Transforming the Supply Chain These experts have emerged with pragmatic solutions to many of today’s logistical problems, ushering in the potential for a more effective supply chain operation. True, many might consider them “new kids on the block,” but their thought leadership already resonates well across the entire industry. Pierre Garreau, Searoutes “Today’s businesses are under pressure to improve visibility over carbon emissions, as regulators and consumers alike place greater emphasis on emissions reduction. However, businesses struggle to build accurate visibility over emissions, instead turning to greenwashing and estimation as a means of signaling decarbonization efforts. Searoutes uses the physical characteristics of vessels, planes, and trucks,…

Scope 3 emissions reportedly account for more than 70% of businesses’ carbon footprints. That huge percentage gives an indication of just how critical supply chain sustainability efforts are to the planet. Thankfully, a growing number of eco-friendly innovations are helping reshape global supply chains. Supply Chain Sustainability: An Industry Imperative in a Changing World It is becoming increasingly important for companies to accurately calculate their supply chain emissions and create an information-sharing ecosystem, according to Matthew Gardner, co-founder and managing partner of Sustainserv, a consulting firm that helps businesses implement sustainability strategies. Gardner said accounting for supply chain-related greenhouse gas emissions includes such challenges as: Data gathering of “materials, manufacturing processes, activities of second- and third-tier suppliers, and overall data governance and quality.” Calculation methodology that “reflects the realities of raw material sourcing, product manufacturing, transportation and distribution, and other life-cycle impacts that may affect reported greenhouse gas totals.” Supplier relationships, which can be strained as a result of emissions assessments. Businesses also need to keep in mind their relationships with consumers. PDI Technologies said 80% of U.S. consumers it surveyed were willing to pay more for sustainable products. “Between these statistics and the regulatory conversations that are happening in…