Introduction
Modern supply chains are no longer evaluated solely on cost, speed, and efficiency. In today’s socially conscious and environmentally sensitive world, organizations are expected to deliver value in a way that is ethical, transparent, and sustainable. Sustainable supply chain management focuses on integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into every link of the supply chain — from sourcing raw materials to final delivery and end-of-life disposal.
This course equips professionals with the frameworks, tools, and best practices needed to design, implement, and monitor sustainable supply chains. Participants will explore how to balance profitability with responsibility, comply with global sustainability standards, reduce environmental impact, and build supply chain partnerships that align with social and ethical expectations.
Sustainability is no longer a “nice to have” — it is a strategic imperative. And your supply chain is at the heart of it.
Who’s This Course For
Sustainable Supply Chain Management is designed for professionals responsible for sourcing, procurement, logistics, operations, or compliance — particularly those seeking to align supply chain strategy with sustainability goals.
This course is ideal for:
- Supply chain and procurement professionals
- ESG and sustainability officers
- Logistics and distribution managers
- Operations and quality assurance teams
- Corporate responsibility and compliance staff
- NGO and development program managers
- Manufacturers and retailers seeking sustainable sourcing
- Policy makers and public sector procurement teams
Whether you’re setting up a supplier code of conduct or calculating your supply chain emissions, this course helps you do it responsibly, credibly, and strategically.
Latest Trends in Sustainable Supply Chain Management
Driven by regulatory change, consumer demand, and investor expectations, the landscape of sustainable supply chain management is transforming rapidly. These trends are leading the shift:
ESG Reporting and Compliance
Sustainability is now being measured and reported alongside financial performance. Organizations must comply with regulations like the EU Supply Chain Due Diligence Directive, the UK Modern Slavery Act, and U.S. SEC climate disclosure requirements.
Scope 3 Emissions and Carbon Accounting
Companies are increasingly focused on reducing not only their own emissions (Scope 1 and 2) but also those of their suppliers and logistics partners (Scope 3). Accurate measurement and carbon transparency are key trends.
Supplier Sustainability Audits
Organizations are introducing supplier codes of conduct, ESG scorecards, and independent audits to ensure that sourcing and production meet environmental and ethical standards.
Circular Supply Chains and Waste Reduction
The transition from linear “take-make-dispose” models to circular supply chains is accelerating. This includes reverse logistics, product take-back, recycling, remanufacturing, and reuse.
Local Sourcing and Resilient Procurement
To reduce transport emissions and increase resilience, companies are moving toward regional sourcing strategies — reducing dependency on high-risk global suppliers.
Traceability and Transparency Technologies
Blockchain, RFID, and IoT devices are being used to trace product origins, monitor conditions, and verify compliance with sustainability claims throughout the supply chain.
Learning Objectives and Outcome for the Course Sponsor
Adopting sustainable supply chain management improves brand reputation, meets stakeholder expectations, reduces environmental impact, and ensures long-term supply chain resilience. This course builds the internal capacity to lead and implement sustainability in practice.
Key Learning Objectives
- Understand the Principles and Drivers of Supply Chain Sustainability
Learn why sustainability matters in supply chains and how it supports organizational resilience and competitive advantage. - Apply Environmental and Social Criteria to Supplier Selection
Explore how to include labor rights, emissions, energy use, water footprint, and fair trade practices in sourcing decisions. - Assess and Reduce Environmental Impact Across the Supply Chain
Learn to measure Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, manage waste and packaging, and reduce energy use in transport and warehousing. - Implement Circular Supply Chain Strategies
Design supply chains that support reuse, recycling, and reverse logistics — minimizing waste and maximizing product lifecycle. - Develop and Enforce a Supplier Code of Conduct
Create standards that suppliers must follow related to working conditions, environmental practices, anti-corruption, and transparency. - Monitor and Audit Supplier ESG Performance
Use audit checklists, scorecards, and third-party certifications to assess and verify compliance with sustainability standards. - Report and Communicate Supply Chain Sustainability Progress
Learn how to track KPIs, prepare sustainability reports, and communicate impact to donors, investors, regulators, and consumers. - Integrate Sustainability with Procurement, Transport, and Inventory Strategy
Align purchasing volumes, routes, and warehousing practices with environmental goals and efficiency targets.
You may also be interested in other courses in the Logistics category
Organizational Outcomes
- Improved Brand Trust and Customer Loyalty
Sustainable practices increase transparency, support marketing claims, and align with customer values. - Lower Environmental Footprint and Operational Costs
Reducing waste, energy usage, and transport emissions saves money while meeting compliance standards. - Greater Supply Chain Resilience and Risk Reduction
ESG-aligned suppliers are often more compliant, transparent, and adaptable — reducing reputational and operational risk. - Better Access to Capital and Donor Funding
Many investors and funders now require demonstrable sustainability in procurement and logistics operations. - Stronger Internal Collaboration on ESG Goals
Cross-functional alignment between procurement, logistics, finance, and ESG teams strengthens accountability and performance.
Course Methodology
This course is highly participatory and impact-driven. Participants will assess their current supply chain sustainability, work through improvement plans, and engage with real-world case studies and data.
Core training components include:
- Supply chain sustainability mapping workshops
- Supplier ESG audit simulation and code of conduct drafting
- Emissions and carbon footprint calculation exercises
- Case studies from global retail, NGOs, manufacturing, and logistics
- Group projects: design a circular supply chain model
- Interactive discussions on regulatory frameworks and reporting requirements
- KPI and dashboard development for sustainability tracking
- Tools for sustainable transport planning and packaging reduction
The course is structured for 3–5 days of in-person delivery or modular virtual delivery. It includes customizable templates for supplier assessments, ESG scorecards, and sustainability reporting frameworks. Specialized tracks can be tailored for manufacturing, retail, donor-funded programs, or public procurement environments.
Why It Matters in Today’s World
Customers, regulators, and investors are watching — and expecting businesses to act responsibly. Your supply chain is where many of your organization’s greatest environmental and social impacts occur — but also where the greatest improvements can be made.
Sustainable supply chain management empowers organizations to not just reduce harm, but to build better systems — for people, for planet, and for long-term performance.
This course ensures your teams are ready to lead that transition — credibly, strategically, and with measurable impact.
