Supply chain sustainability has emerged as a profitable business strategy. According to a new report issued by DP World in collaboration with Supply Chain Dive’s studioID, 82% of respondents agree that organizations embracing sustainability experience improved financial performance over time.
The report, “Sustainability Drives Financial Benefit Across Supply Chains,” which is based on a survey of 150 professionals in operations, supply chain, and procurement roles across various industries across North America, reveals a significant shift in how businesses view and implement sustainability. Companies are increasingly recognizing the economic opportunities in sustainability investments, which are influencing everything from their spending decisions to partner selections and approaches to carbon accounting.
Morten Johansen, Chief Operating Officer of DP World Americas, said: “As we observe the transformative shift in supply chain practices, it's evident that sustainability is not just a trend but a foundational element for modern business strategies. This report highlights how integrating sustainability measures can serve as a catalyst for substantial improvements in both economic efficiency and strategic innovation. Companies are now recognizing that sustainable practices enhance operational resilience and are essential for long-term profitability.”
Key highlights from the report include:
- Efficiency and Resilience Drive Investments: More than one third (36%) of respondents are motivated by the efficiency or financial gains from sustainability initiatives, while 30% cite the resilience benefits. Nearly a third (32%) believe supply chain sustainability measures offer a competitive advantage.
- Sustainability is Winning Focus and Budgets: Nearly three-quarters (74%) report a heightened priority on supply chain sustainability and decarbonization compared to three years ago. Additionally, 80% expect to increase their allocation of resources, including headcount and financial resources, toward sustainability goals over the next three years.
- Supply Chain Reconfiguration and Collaboration: Despite the exclusion of Scope 3 in the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s March 2024 rulemaking, many respondents are still integrating or planning to integrate Scope 3-type requirements. Top strategies include reconfiguring supply chains, such as nearshoring or reshoring manufacturing operations, and collaborating within their industries on decarbonization measures (25% each).
- Preparing for Carbon Accounting: Organizations are increasingly establishing measurement and reporting capabilities around emissions. Improving collaboration between accounting and supply chain is the top reported strategy (35%). Other common steps include investing in the right tools and systems to support carbon accounting and setting emission reduction targets (both 33%).
- Supplier Decarbonization Capabilities: A significant 44% of respondents report that as they look to the future of their supply chain supplier partnerships, a company’s decarbonization and sustainability capabilities are very or extremely influential on their organization’s selection process.
Sarah Mouriño, Senior Director, Sustainability for DP World Americas, said: “Investment in supply chain sustainability is proving its value beyond compliance and stakeholder reputation. Moving forward, supply chain decision-making – for everything from partner selection to budget allocation and network design – will consider both the economic and environmental benefits of sustainability.”
Download “Sustainability Drives Financial Benefit Across Supply Chains.”
Survey Methodology
DP World collaborated with Supply Chain Dive to conduct an online survey, polling 150 respondents in operations, supply chain, and procurement roles across various industries. The respondents represented a diverse range of sectors, including industrial manufacturing (39%), healthcare/hospitals (20%), consumer products manufacturing (9%), and technology (9%). The largest segment of respondents came from organizations with annual revenues between $101M-$500M (19%), followed by $51M-$100M (16%), and $1.1B-$10B (15%). The survey respondents were based in the United States and Canada.
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Trade is the lifeblood of the global economy, creating opportunities and improving the quality of life for people around the world. DP World exists to make the world’s trade flow better, changing what’s possible for the customers and communities we serve globally.
With a dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 111,000 employees from 159 nationalities, spanning 77 countries on six continents, DP World is pushing trade further and faster towards a seamless supply chain that’s fit for the future.
We’re rapidly transforming and integrating our businesses -- Ports and Terminals, Marine Services, Logistics and Technology – and uniting our global infrastructure with local expertise to create stronger, more efficient end-to-end supply chain solutions that can change the way the world trades.
What's more, we're reshaping the future by investing in innovation. From intelligent delivery systems to automated warehouse stacking, we’re at the cutting edge of disruptive technology, pushing the sector towards better ways to trade, minimising disruptions from the factory floor to the customer’s door.