Sustainable Supply Chain

Send me a messageIn this week’s episode of the Sustainable Supply Chain podcast, I’m bringing you a replay of my conversation with Rhea Rakshit, VP of Product at Sayari. While I’m away on holidays, it felt like the perfect time to revisit one of the most insightful discussions we’ve had this year, on ESG, supply chain transparency, and the shift from “tick-the-box” CSR to something far more strategic and impactful.Rhea and I unpack how regulation is reshaping corporate behaviour, forcing ESG out of the sidelines and into the core of business strategy. She explains why ownership of ESG can’t sit in a silo, it needs cross-functional alignment, from procurement to compliance to operations. A key theme we explore is the balance between scope and scale: start small, win trust, then expand. Trying to boil the ocean from day one is a recipe for inertia.We also dive into what true visibility looks like in supply chains. It’s not just about mapping suppliers, it’s about tracing to raw materials, exposing risks like forced labour, deforestation, and climate impacts, and most importantly, creating data that is decision-ready. Rhea argues that the real test of ESG isn’t reporting, it’s remediation. If a supplier is found to be linked to harmful practices, what happens next? Do companies walk away, or work to improve conditions? That’s where the real impact lies.We bring in perspectives from the Global South too, where the social dimension of ESG is often most acute, and Rhea shares why, despite the challenges, she’s optimistic about the ability of businesses to build resilient, transparent, and ethical supply chains.If you’re looking to understand how ESG in supply chains is evolving, from compliance headache to strategic advantage, this episode is well worth your time.Listen now and let me know what you think.#SustainableSupplyChain #ESG #SupplyChainTransparency #ForcedLabour #Deforestation #SustainabilityElevate your brand with the ‘Sustainable Supply Chain’ podcast, the voice of supply chain sustainability.Last year, this podcast's episodes were downloaded over 113,000 times by senior supply chain executives around the world.Become a sponsor. Lead the conversation.Contact me for sponsorship opportunities and turn downloads into dialogues.Act today. Influence the future.Support the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous supporters: Alicia Farag Kieran Ognev And remember you too can Support the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one.Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities:If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let's talk!FinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a text message using this link.If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.

Send me a messageSupply chains are responsible for the majority of global emissions, yet they remain the hardest to decarbonise. In this episode of the Sustainable Supply Chain podcast, I sit down with Saskia van Gendt, Chief Sustainability Officer at Blue Yonder, to explore how data, AI, and end-to-end visibility are changing that equation.Saskia brings two decades of sustainability experience across government, retail, and manufacturing. We dig into the urgent challenge of Scope 3 emissions - why they make up 60%+ of global carbon output, why they’re so difficult to measure, and how regulatory pressure is finally starting to unlock action.We discuss how AI-powered supply chain platforms can optimise sourcing decisions on the fly, set carbon budgets, and reduce waste, from manufacturing to reverse logistics. Saskia shares real-world examples, from cutting a million transport miles in South America to reducing food waste by 15% through demand-supply optimisation.We also cover the overlap between resilience and sustainability, the impact of tariffs and CBAM, and how leaders can align sustainability targets with operational KPIs. The big takeaway? Sustainability isn’t a compliance box, it’s a strategic advantage for retailers, manufacturers, and logistics providers willing to integrate it into core supply chain decisions.If you’re a supply chain leader looking to make measurable progress on emissions reduction, waste management, and resilience, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.Elevate your brand with the ‘Sustainable Supply Chain’ podcast, the voice of supply chain sustainability.Last year, this podcast's episodes were downloaded over 113,000 times by senior supply chain executives around the world.Become a sponsor. Lead the conversation.Contact me for sponsorship opportunities and turn downloads into dialogues.Act today. Influence the future.Support the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous supporters: Alicia Farag Kieran Ognev And remember you too can Support the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one.Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities:If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let's talk!FinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a text message using this link.If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.

Send me a messageProcurement’s role is changing, or at least, it should be. In this episode of the Sustainable Supply Chain podcast, I sat down with Conrad Snover, CEO of ProcureAbility, to unpack why procurement still struggles to evolve beyond a transactional role, and what it’ll take to transform it into a true driver of value.We covered a lot, from why most procurement teams still don’t have a seat at the strategy table, to how utilities are coping with 2+ year lead times on transformers while trying to hit electrification targets. Conrad shared real-world examples of how procurement leaders can build resilience without stockpiling inventory, and why relationships, not just contracts, are the key to sustainable supply chains.We also talked about the path from tactical to strategic to profit-generating procurement, how digital tools (including AI) are shifting the playing field, and the operational basics that still hold too many teams back.If you’re leading supply chain or sustainability efforts, and you’ve ever been frustrated by the inertia of outdated procurement practices, this episode is well worth your time.🎧 Listen now to learn:Why procurement needs to earn strategic influence, not demand itHow to balance cost efficiency with supplier reliability and sustainabilityWhat electrification means for supply chain resilience in utilities and beyondSubscribe, share, and drop me a line with your thoughts.Elevate your brand with the ‘Sustainable Supply Chain’ podcast, the voice of supply chain sustainability.Last year, this podcast's episodes were downloaded over 113,000 times by senior supply chain executives around the world.Become a sponsor. Lead the conversation.Contact me for sponsorship opportunities and turn downloads into dialogues.Act today. Influence the future.Support the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous supporters: Alicia Farag Kieran Ognev And remember you too can Support the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one.Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities:If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let's talk!FinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a text message using this link.If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.

Send me a messageIn this episode of the Sustainable Supply Chain podcast, I sat down with Ollie Carpenter, Director of Environmental Risk Analytics at Risilience, to unpack how global businesses are moving from climate ambition to action, through risk-informed decision making.Ollie and his team work with companies like Nestlé, Burberry, and Maersk, helping them build digital twins of their operations and supply chains to stress-test climate and nature-related risks. What I found particularly insightful is how this risk-based lens shifts the sustainability conversation from “nice-to-have” to essential business planning.We covered:The difference between physical and transition risk, and why both matter for supply chain resilienceHow regulation like CSRD and TNFD is raising the bar on climate disclosureThe evolving role of procurement in decarbonisation, supplier engagement, and scope 3 measurementWhy near-term transition plans (to 2030) are more actionable than distant net-zero targetsThe hidden vulnerabilities in agricultural supply chains most companies still overlookAnd how employee pressure is becoming a key driver of sustainability inside firmsIf you’re trying to embed sustainability into operational planning, link it to financial outcomes, or simply stay ahead of climate-related disruptions, this one’s really worth a listen.🎧 Listen now, and find out why Ollie thinks sustainability teams may one day disappear entirely.Elevate your brand with the ‘Sustainable Supply Chain’ podcast, the voice of supply chain sustainability.Last year, this podcast's episodes were downloaded over 113,000 times by senior supply chain executives around the world.Become a sponsor. Lead the conversation.Contact me for sponsorship opportunities and turn downloads into dialogues.Act today. Influence the future.Support the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous supporters: Alicia Farag Kieran Ognev And remember you too can Support the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one.Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities:If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let's talk!FinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a text message using this link.If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.

Send me a messageHow do you show a customer the inside of a wind turbine nacelle, or onboard engineers to hazardous industrial equipment, without ever leaving their desks?In this episode of the Sustainable Supply Chain podcast, I’m joined by Matt Trubow, Commercial Director at Hidden Creative, to explore how immersive technology is changing the way engineering organisations sell, train, and transfer knowledge.Matt and I discuss Simmerse, a browser-based spatial computing platform that’s already being used by the likes of ABB, GE, and Johnson Controls to reduce travel emissions, eliminate onboarding bottlenecks, and accelerate complex B2B sales. Instead of flying people around the world or relying on death-by-PowerPoint, Simmerse allows distributed teams and customers to step inside a 3D environment, whether it’s a ship engine, water treatment plant, or offshore turbine, and engage with it in real time.We dive into the cognitive science behind why this works so well for engineers, the tangible ROI it’s delivering, and how tools like AI and digital twins are reshaping industrial communications.If you work in a supply chain function where product complexity, technical sales, or sustainability impact are key, this episode will give you a fresh lens on immersive tech as a practical tool, not a gimmick.Elevate your brand with the ‘Sustainable Supply Chain’ podcast, the voice of supply chain sustainability.Last year, this podcast's episodes were downloaded over 113,000 times by senior supply chain executives around the world.Become a sponsor. Lead the conversation.Contact me for sponsorship opportunities and turn downloads into dialogues.Act today. Influence the future.Support the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous supporters: Alicia Farag Kieran Ognev And remember you too can Support the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one.Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities:If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let's talk!FinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a text message using this link.If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.

Send me a messageIn this episode of the Sustainable Supply Chain podcast, I sat down with Dr Erik Garcell, Director of Quantum Enterprise Development at Classiq, to explore how quantum computing is moving from theoretical buzz to practical tool, and what that means for supply chains.We talked about why quantum’s real strength lies in optimisation: solving incredibly complex problems like route planning, inventory management, or energy grid design far faster than classical systems ever could. Erik explained how quantum is already being used via cloud platforms (yes, even on AWS), and why enterprises, from BMW to Mitsubishi Chemicals, are experimenting with it now, not later.We got into real-world use cases too: dynamic logistics recalculations in response to disruptions, quantum-enhanced digital twins for EV battery design, and how this tech might support real-time, low-carbon decision-making across vast supplier networks.This isn’t about replacing classical computing, it’s about adding a powerful new tool to the box. Erik also gave practical advice for supply chain leaders: how to start engaging with quantum now, when upskilling your existing team makes more sense than hiring PhDs, and what pitfalls to avoid.If you’re wondering when, or even if, quantum computing will matter to your business, this is the episode for you.🎧 Listen now to understand why the smart money is investing in quantum today.Elevate your brand with the ‘Sustainable Supply Chain’ podcast, the voice of supply chain sustainability.Last year, this podcast's episodes were downloaded over 113,000 times by senior supply chain executives around the world.Become a sponsor. Lead the conversation.Contact me for sponsorship opportunities and turn downloads into dialogues.Act today. Influence the future.Support the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous supporters: Alicia Farag Kieran Ognev And remember you too can Support the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one.Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities:If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let's talk!FinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a text message using this link.If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.

Send me a messageAir freight has long been the wild west of logistics, complex, opaque, and often wasteful. In this episode, I sat down with Chris Condon, founder and CEO of Aircon and the mind behind Captain Cargo, to unpack how AI and automation are reshaping air freight for the better.Chris brings decades of freight forwarding experience and has built a platform specifically to help small and mid-sized freight forwarders compete with global giants. We explore why air freight isn’t just for emergencies, how faster quoting often matters more than faster transit, and how real-time exception management is the missing piece for most operators.We also dig into sustainability. Chris explains how smarter consolidation and capacity optimisation, enabled by predictive analytics, can reduce unused cargo space and avoid unnecessary flights. In a sector where emissions are high and transparency is low, that matters.This isn’t just about tech for tech’s sake. It’s about giving operators the tools to retain customers, improve margins, and respond to disruption, without losing control to the big players.If you’re in logistics, supply chain management, or sustainability and you want to understand where AI is actuallydelivering value in freight, this one’s well worth a listen.🎧 Listen now to learn:Why quoting speed trumps price in air freightHow AI unlocks hidden network capacityWhat sustainable air cargo really looks like in practiceElevate your brand with the ‘Sustainable Supply Chain’ podcast, the voice of supply chain sustainability.Last year, this podcast's episodes were downloaded over 113,000 times by senior supply chain executives around the world.Become a sponsor. Lead the conversation.Contact me for sponsorship opportunities and turn downloads into dialogues.Act today. Influence the future.Support the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous supporters: Alicia Farag Kieran Ognev And remember you too can Support the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one.Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities:If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let's talk!FinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a text message using this link.If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.

Send me a messageProcurement has come a long way, from back-office cost-cutting to a central role in driving sustainability, risk management, and supply chain resilience. In this episode of the Sustainable Supply Chain podcast, I sat down with Pierre Laprée, Chief Product Officer at SpendHQ, to unpack what that transformation looks like in practice.Pierre shares sharp insights on how procurement teams can baseline and reduce scope 3 emissions, track supplier diversity, and manage supply chain risk, not with static spreadsheets, but with actionable, real-time data. We explored how supplier risk has expanded from purely financial to include cyber threats, ESG exposure, and geopolitical volatility, and how too many organisations are still flying blind.He explains how SpendHQ’s performance management platform helps procurement leaders move from annual targets to rolling forecasts, enabling faster course correction and real impact, not just reporting.We also discussed:Why ESG issues like forced labour and deforestation are no longer just reputational risks, they’re operational liabilitiesHow procurement can help suppliers get better, not just cheaperThe critical role of data quality in turning AI from buzzword to business toolIf you’re in supply chain, procurement, or sustainability and trying to make sense of today’s risk landscape, this episode is for you.🎧 Listen now and find out why procurement needs to think more like sales, and why data might be your most undervalued supply chain asset.Elevate your brand with the ‘Sustainable Supply Chain’ podcast, the voice of supply chain sustainability.Last year, this podcast's episodes were downloaded over 113,000 times by senior supply chain executives around the world.Become a sponsor. Lead the conversation.Contact me for sponsorship opportunities and turn downloads into dialogues.Act today. Influence the future.Support the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous supporters: Alicia Farag Kieran Ognev And remember you too can Support the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one.Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities:If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let's talk!FinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a text message using this link.If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.

In this discussion with Eric Biel, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Powercast, listeners explore the groundbreaking potential of wireless power in supply chains. Eric highlights how batteryless RFID tags can eliminate e-waste while enhancing product tracking and compliance with regulations. He shares insights on how RF energy enables real-time monitoring and reduces maintenance. The conversation delves into the surprising benefits of these technologies on emissions and operational efficiency, making sustainability practical and innovative.

Send me a messageHey everyone, Tom Raftery here.Just a quick note to let you know that Sustainable Supply Chain is taking a short break this week. I’m recharging the batteries and preparing a fresh lineup of episodes packed with insights on ESG, circularity, digital transformation, and decarbonisation.I'll be back next Monday June 22nd at 7am CEST with brand new content, but in the meantime, there’s a wealth of previous episodes you can dive into. Whether you’re interested in reducing scope 3 emissions, leveraging AI for supply chain transparency, or rethinking procurement models, it’s all there in the archive.And if this podcast has been valuable to you, please consider becoming a supporter - for just €3 or $3 a month, you can help keep the show going and growing. The link to support the podcast is below.Thanks for listening, and talk to you soon!👉 Explore past episodes: https://www.sustainablesupplychainpodcast.com👉 Support the podcast: Support Sustainable Supply ChainSupport the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous supporters: Alicia Farag Kieran Ognev And remember you too can Support the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one.Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities:If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let's talk!FinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a text message using this link.If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.