Sustainable Supply Chain Management

Course Overview

Demand for sustainable supply chains is on the rise. Booming growth in e-commerce, fast-shipping consumer expectations, Covid-19, and many other developments have created an ever more competitive business environment for companies from all sectors and industries. Companies face increasing pressure to become more sustainable from all stakeholders, such as policymakers, shareholders, investors, and NGOs. At the same time, consumers demand more sustainable products and services. The critical challenge for people working within organizations is becoming more sustainable while continuing to meet ambitious business goals to remain competitive in the market.

While many organizations have established goals to reduce emissions or become carbon neutral in the next 10 to 20 years, they struggle to translate these goals into specific actions and strategies. People in organizations may ask questions like:


How do we scope the analysis of our supply chains?

What is the proper methodology to estimate emissions?

How do we implement actionable measurement strategies?


Whether you have a sustainability background or are new to the effort, this course will illuminate pathways for how you might build sustainable supply chains for your organization to achieve your sustainability goals while meeting—and even exceeding—business expectations.

In this course, you will study practical alternatives for optimizing carbon emissions using geospatial analysis and data analytics. Examine the "fast" and "green" delivery trade-offs in the new digital era, consumer relationships to sustainable products and services, and environmental costs of fast-shipping e-commerce. You will understand key concepts in supply chain sustainability, including supply chain carbon footprint, sustainable transportation, green vehicle routing, fleet assignment, truck consolidation, circular supply chains, sustainable sourcing, supply chain transparency, and green inventory management.

Here are some of the key questions covered in the course:

How might you…


Identify environmental hotspots in your supply chain?

Understand transportation's effects on supply chains?

Implement environmental measurements into logistics decisions?

Build a green network distribution in your supply chain?

Design a circular supply chain?

Build sustainable sourcing operations and green replenishment strategies?

Leverage supply chain transparency to achieve economic, social, and environmental sustainability?

Leverage consumer preferences into sustainable supply chain strategies?


This course combines case studies, applied projects, and business-case simulations for a dynamic, interactive learning experience.

(Please note that we obtained the following content based on information that users may want to know, such as skills, applicable scenarios, future development, etc., combined with AI tools, and have been manually reviewed)
Learners of this course can learn about sustainable supply chain management from multiple perspectives. They can learn about the environmental hotspots in their supply chain, understand the effects of transportation on supply chains, and implement environmental measurements into logistics decisions. They can also learn about building a green network distribution in their supply chain, designing a circular supply chain, building sustainable sourcing operations and green replenishment strategies, leveraging supply chain transparency to achieve economic, social, and environmental sustainability, and leveraging consumer preferences into sustainable supply chain strategies. Additionally, learners can gain practical experience through case studies, applied projects, and business-case simulations.

[Applications]
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to apply the concepts and strategies learned to their own organizations. They will be able to identify environmental hotspots in their supply chains, understand the effects of transportation on supply chains, implement environmental measurements into logistics decisions, build a green network distribution in their supply chain, design a circular supply chain, build sustainable sourcing operations and green replenishment strategies, leverage supply chain transparency to achieve economic, social, and environmental sustainability, and leverage consumer preferences into sustainable supply chain strategies.

[Career Paths]
Career paths recommended to learners from this course include:

1. Sustainable Supply Chain Manager: Sustainable supply chain managers are responsible for developing and implementing strategies to reduce the environmental impact of a company's supply chain operations. They must be knowledgeable in areas such as green logistics, sustainable sourcing, and circular supply chains. As the demand for sustainable supply chains continues to grow, sustainable supply chain managers will be in high demand.

2. Sustainable Logistics Analyst: Sustainable logistics analysts are responsible for analyzing and optimizing the environmental impact of a company's logistics operations. They must be knowledgeable in areas such as green vehicle routing, fleet assignment, truck consolidation, and green inventory management. As companies strive to become more sustainable, sustainable logistics analysts will be in high demand.

3. Sustainable Sourcing Manager: Sustainable sourcing managers are responsible for developing and implementing strategies to reduce the environmental impact of a company's sourcing operations. They must be knowledgeable in areas such as sustainable sourcing, supply chain transparency, and green replenishment strategies. As companies strive to become more sustainable, sustainable sourcing managers will be in high demand.

4. Sustainable Transportation Manager: Sustainable transportation managers are responsible for developing and implementing strategies to reduce the environmental impact of a company's transportation operations. They must be knowledgeable in areas such as green vehicle routing, fleet assignment, truck consolidation, and green inventory management. As companies strive to become more sustainable, sustainable transportation managers will be in high demand.

[Education Paths]
Recommended Degree Paths:

1. Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management: This degree program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of supply chain management. Students learn about the fundamentals of supply chain management, including logistics, inventory management, and procurement. They also gain an understanding of the latest trends in the field, such as sustainability, digital transformation, and data analytics.

2. Master of Science in Sustainable Supply Chain Management: This degree program focuses on the principles and practices of sustainable supply chain management. Students learn about the environmental, social, and economic impacts of supply chain operations, and how to develop strategies to reduce their environmental footprint. They also gain an understanding of the latest technologies and techniques used to optimize supply chain operations, such as geospatial analysis, data analytics, and green vehicle routing.

3. Master of Business Administration in Supply Chain Management: This degree program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of supply chain management. Students learn about the fundamentals of supply chain management, including logistics, inventory management, and procurement. They also gain an understanding of the latest trends in the field, such as sustainability, digital transformation, and data analytics.

4. Doctor of Philosophy in Sustainable Supply Chain Management: This degree program focuses on the principles and practices of sustainable supply chain management. Students learn about the environmental, social, and economic impacts of supply chain operations, and how to develop strategies to reduce their environmental footprint. They also gain an understanding of the latest technologies and techniques used to optimize supply chain operations, such as geospatial analysis, data analytics, and green vehicle routing.

Developing Trends:

1. Automation and Artificial Intelligence: Automation and artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly important in supply chain management. Automation can help reduce costs and improve efficiency, while artificial intelligence can help optimize operations and improve decision-making.

2. Sustainability: Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important factor in supply chain management. Companies are looking for ways to reduce their environmental footprint and become more sustainable. This includes reducing emissions, using renewable energy sources, and implementing green vehicle routing.

3. Digital Transformation: Digital transformation is transforming the way companies manage their supply chains. Companies are leveraging digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and data analytics to optimize their operations and gain a competitive edge.