thesis sustainability supply chain

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C urrent retailers:

Ahold delhaize usa, costco, dollar tree, family dollar, kroger, sam’s club, staples, tractor supply company, walgreens, walgreens boots alliance (wba), walmart, woolworths..

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In 2023, tsc will introduce a common reporting period for all suppliers on thesis to current retail customers. this common reporting period is designed to support supplier engagement with thesis and minimize survey fatigue  .

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Where did thesis come from  .

THESIS was originally created by TSC starting in 2009 and launched as The Sustainability Index in 2014. In 2019, TSC partnered with SupplyShift to create our current iteration of THESIS, powered by SupplyShift’s cutting edge platform and informed by TSC’s deep roots in higher education, including ASU and Wageningen University + Research. THESIS currently has more retail users than ever before.  

Every spring, TSC staff work with TSC members to revise and update THESIS for the upcoming fall campaign.   

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THESIS is powered by SupplyShift , TSC’s partner who is committed to helping businesses create more transparent, responsible, and resilient supply chains. Learn more about SupplyShift and visit THESIS on their platform . 

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THESIS is rooted in TSC’s university-based, scientific methodology. THESIS is based in LCA methodology and was developed in a pre-competitive way using TSC’s stakeholder engagement expertise that brings the CPG industry, NGOs, and higher education together for greater impact. It is this combination of stakeholders that sets THESIS apart from other consultant-led performance assessment platforms.  

TSC methodology is based on creating and evolving strict, LCA-based key performance indicators using relevant sources and evidence for hotspots.  

THESIS 2022 at a Glance

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Summary of 2021 THESIS Scores — From 2016 to 2021, the THESIS assessments of product manufacturers have improved (relatively):

From 32.5% to 48.4% (where 100% equals the maximum score)..

This is an indication that the systems and processes put in place to respond to THESIS KPIs are creating positive changes in the manufacturer’s practices and its supply chain, leading to an overall improvement in scores. Scores improved from 2020 to 2021 at about the same pace they have annually over all six years.

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Amy Scoville-Weaver

Director, Retail

Assessing the State of Supply Chain Sustainability

• Sustainability

Supply chain sustainability has increased in importance for companies of all sizes, public and private, across a wide range of industries. While there has been increased excitement in tandem with proclamations of lofty goals around the topic of supply chain sustainability, it has proven challenging to operationalize sustainability when many companies focus on short-term financial goals or lack science-and context-based sustainability targets. The focus of this research is to understand current and future supply chain sustainability practices from the perspective of frontline professionals, across industries, geographies, cultures, and regulatory environments in 2019. This research gathered insights and data through a survey distributed to frontline supply chain professionals, executive interviews, and additional research sources. Results confirm increased corporate interest in supply chain sustainability. However, misalignment may exist between executives who set overarching corporate goals and strategies and frontline professionals who are tasked with the tactical implementation of these strategies. Companies struggle to implement sustainability initiatives under constrained resources with conflicting priorities. Results also indicate that companies may be overstating social and environmental goal commitments, as overall investment levels are lower than goal commitment levels.

To better understand these issues and how companies are adopting supply chain sustainability, this research project was commissioned by the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics and the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. To set the stage for future State of Supply Chain Sustainability reports, we will reveal the results of our research on supply chain sustainability in 2019 with an added focus on what the events of 2019-2020, such as the global COVID-19 pandemic that is still unfolding at this writing, could mean for supply chain sustainability in coming years.

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Toward a framework for selecting indicators of measuring sustainability and circular economy in the agri-food sector: a systematic literature review

• LIFE CYCLE SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT
• Published: 02 March 2022

Cite this article

• Cecilia Silvestri   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-2528-601X 1 ,
• Luca Silvestri   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-6754-899X 2 ,
• Michela Piccarozzi   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-9717-9462 1 &
• Alessandro Ruggieri 1  

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A Correction to this article was published on 24 March 2022

This article has been updated

The implementation of sustainability and circular economy (CE) models in agri-food production can promote resource efficiency, reduce environmental burdens, and ensure improved and socially responsible systems. In this context, indicators for the measurement of sustainability play a crucial role. Indicators can measure CE strategies aimed to preserve functions, products, components, materials, or embodied energy. Although there is broad literature describing sustainability and CE indicators, no study offers such a comprehensive framework of indicators for measuring sustainability and CE in the agri-food sector.

Starting from this central research gap, a systematic literature review has been developed to measure the sustainability in the agri-food sector and, based on these findings, to understand how indicators are used and for which specific purposes.

The analysis of the results allowed us to classify the sample of articles in three main clusters (“Assessment-LCA,” “Best practice,” and “Decision-making”) and has shown increasing attention to the three pillars of sustainability (triple bottom line). In this context, an integrated approach of indicators (environmental, social, and economic) offers the best solution to ensure an easier transition to sustainability.

Conclusions

The sample analysis facilitated the identification of new categories of impact that deserve attention, such as the cooperation among stakeholders in the supply chain and eco-innovation.

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Source: Authors’ elaboration. Notes: The graph shows the temporal distribution of the articles under analysis

Source: Authors’ elaborations. Notes: The graph shows the time distribution of articles from the three major journals

Source: Authors’ elaboration. Notes: The graph shows the composition of the sample according to the three clusters identified by the analysis

Source: Authors’ elaboration. Notes: The graph shows the distribution of articles over time by cluster

Source: Authors’ elaboration. Notes: The graph shows the network visualization

Source: Authors’ elaboration. Notes: The graph shows the overlay visualization

Source: Authors’ elaboration. Notes: The graph shows the classification of articles by scientific field

Source: Authors’ elaboration. Notes: Article classification based on their cluster to which they belong and scientific field

Source: Authors’ elaboration

Source: Authors’ elaboration. Notes: The graph shows the distribution of items over time based on TBL

Source: Authors’ elaboration. Notes: The graph shows the Pareto diagram highlighting the most used indicators in literature for measuring sustainability in the agri-food sector

Source: Authors’ elaboration. Notes: The graph shows the distribution over time of articles divided into conceptual and empirical

Source: Authors’ elaboration. Notes: The graph shows the classification of articles, divided into conceptual and empirical, in-depth analysis

Source: Authors’ elaboration. Notes: The graph shows the geographical distribution of the authors

Source: Authors’ elaboration. Notes: The graph shows the distribution of authors according to the continent from which they originate

Source: Authors’ elaboration. Notes: The graph shows the time distribution of publication of authors according to the continent from which they originate

Source: Authors’ elaboration. Notes: Sustainability measurement indicators and impact categories of LCA, S-LCA, and LCC tools should be integrated in order to provide stakeholders with best practices as guidelines and tools to support both decision-making and measurement, according to the circular economy approach

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Common Methods and Sustainability Indicators

Transition heuristic frameworks in research on agro-food sustainability transitions

Hamid El Bilali

Research on agro-food sustainability transitions: where are food security and nutrition?

Change history, 24 march 2022.

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-022-02038-9

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Supply Chain Management Thesis

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Learn how to drive supply chain and procurement sustainability with these 14 training resources

Develop and implement strategies for embedding sustainability into your supply chain and procurement practices with these 14 training options.

By Trish Kenlon

April 4, 2024

Source: Shutterstock/chayanuphol

Editor’s note: This is part of a series on closing the sustainability skills gap with the resources we have available right now. Read the previous articles in this series, which cover training on climate literacy , scaling corporate climate literacy , corporate sustainability strategy , measuring and managing GHG emissions , climate and net-zero strategy , regenerative agriculture , circular economy , professional certifications , creating a sustainability upskilling strategy for your company and free training .

The supply chain is an area of incredible opportunity for improving the sustainability performance of most organizations. According to CDP, on average, an organization’s supply chain emissions are 11.4 times higher than its operational emissions, but Scope 3 targets make up only 15 percent of all new corporate emissions reductions goals. If we are serious about reducing overall emissions, we need to make decarbonizing global supply chains a much higher priority; fortunately, the 14 training offerings below are designed to help you learn how to develop and implement strategies for doing exactly that. 

Two things to consider before you dive into this list:

• The programs listed here primarily address environmental concerns such as emissions reductions and resiliency, but supply chains are also a significant source of human rights violations and other social sustainability challenges. Several courses specifically address topics such as eliminating forced labor, fair labor practices, worker welfare and community engagement; so be sure that any training you pursue covers all of the aspects of supply chain sustainability that are important to you and your organization.
• Supply chain and procurement are generally considered to be distinct disciplines; however, many of the organizations below use the terms "supply chain," "procurement" and "purchasing" interchangeably, so you’ll need to read each course description carefully to determine if the course will meet your personal needs. 

As is often the case with these types of lists, I’m sure I've missed some. If your favorite offering isn’t included here, I warmly invite you to join the conversation on LinkedIn to tell me and your fellow readers about it. Thanks in advance for your help with bringing these resources out into the open so that more people can get to work on advancing sustainable business practices. 

On-demand training

These on-demand courses are organized by price, starting with the most affordable options.

Embedding Sustainable Procurement from The Supply Chain Sustainability School

While the primary intended audience for the Supply Chain Sustainability School is professionals within the built environment industry and related supply chains, most of the course content delivered in topics such as sustainable procurement , sustainability strategy and energy and carbon is directly applicable to other industries. For example, the Embedding Sustainable Procurement course offers a great overview of ISO 20400 , the international standard for sustainable procurement, which would be helpful to professionals in any industry. ISO 20400 guidance encompasses environmental considerations such as product life cycles, resource efficiency, pollution prevention, and climate change mitigation and adaptation, and social considerations such as respect for human rights, fair business practices, worker well-being and community engagement and development.

• Time to complete: 60 minutes
• Training format: On-demand e-learning
• Key topics covered: What sustainable procurement is; how sustainable procurement benefits businesses; an overview of ISO 20400

Sustainable Supply Chain Management from MITx

This course is taught by the professors at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is designed to teach learners how to transform their organization’s climate pledges into actionable strategies through better supply chain management. While the live online course is not currently running, the course materials are available to access and watch for free on edX. 

• Time to complete: 10 weeks, 8 to 12 hours per week
• Training format: On-demand videos, reading, exercises
• Key topics covered: Estimating the carbon footprint and identifying hot spots in the supply chain; accounting for environmental estimations in supply chain and logistics decisions; balancing sustainability strategies with business performance metrics; designing a circular supply chain for your company; leveraging consumers' preferences and demands into sustainable supply chain strategies

Introduction to Supply Chain Sustainability from the UnSchool of Disruptive Design

This course from the circular economy experts at the UnSchool teaches learners to bring a systems mindset to reducing the ethical and environmental impacts of an organization’s supply chain. This is one of many offerings from the UnSchool at the intersection of sustainability, design and the circular economy.

• Time to complete: 5 to 7 hours
• Training format: On-demand videos, reading
• Key topics covered: Managing supply chain impacts; supply chain mapping; product life cycle assessment & certification

Sustainable Supply Chains Pathway from Sustainability Unlocked

This pathway is designed for individuals interested in understanding the complexities of sustainable supply chains and the importance of promoting sustainability within them. These videos are part of a collection of 1,000-plus modules on the Sustainability Unlocked learning platform , which covers a wide variety of corporate sustainability topics.

• Cost: Free with 30-day trial or included with paid subscription to Sustainability Unlocked, $150/year
• Time to complete: 54 minutes
• Training format: On-demand videos, optional test
• Key topics covered: Introduction to sustainable supply chains; the challenges for supply chains; global initiatives to enhance supply chain sustainability; sustainable supply chains best practice

Sustainable Procurement for Professionals from the Sustainable Procurement Institute

This course is designed to teach purchasing professionals how to lead procurement initiatives that further major organizational strategic goals relating to sustainability. The Sustainable Procurement Institute also offers a shorter course, Sustainable Procurement Essentials, that teaches these concepts at a higher level for busy contract management, project management and functional managers who are supporting these initiatives.

• Time to complete: 11 hours
• Key topics covered: How to justify, plan and implement a sustainable procurement program; how to grow your program over time; how to structure your organization and purchasing documents for financial, environmental and social responsibility; working with suppliers and performance measurement; software tools for productivity; evaluating and mitigating risk in the supply chain

Online Diploma on Sustainable Supply Chain Management from the Sustainability Academy

This online diploma program enables professionals to start a sustainable supply chain strategy, comply with key ESG ratings and reporting standards requirements, support transparency in their supply chains and understand important topics such as the circular economy and sustainable packaging. This is one of almost a dozen offerings in ESG and sustainability training from the Sustainability Academy . 

• Time to complete: 20 hours
• Training format : On-demand videos, final quiz
• Key topics covered: Sustainable supply chain strategy; tools and frameworks including the CSRD, SEC, ISO 20400 and EcoVadis; transparency and corporate sustainability reporting; fostering circularity; Net Zero and Scope 3 emissions

Sustainable Procurement Course from Procurement Tactics

This course is designed to help procurement and sourcing professionals in transitioning their portfolio and business toward sustainability while maintaining high profitability. The four modules provide a step-by-step action plan for the development of a personalized sustainable procurement strategy. 

• Time to complete: 32 to 40 hours
• Training format: On-demand e-learning, reading, templates
• Key topics covered: Policies and strategies including supply chain analysis and risk assessments; procurement governance, human rights, labor practices, the environment, consumer issues and community involvement; building a sustainable procurement strategy including integrating sustainability in specifications and identifying and assessing suppliers

Certified Sustainable Supply Chain Professional from the International Supply Chain Education Alliance

This program comprises three courses designed to prepare students for successful completion of the Certified Sustainable Supply Chain Professional (CSSCP) exam. Students learn how to add sustainable practices to existing supply chains or develop strategies for rebuilding current supply chains with sustainability in mind. You can take all three courses and the exam as a single training experience through the ISCEA site , or you can audit one or more of the individual courses on edX for free. This is one of many supply chain-related offerings from the ISCEA . 

• Cost: $1,600
• Time to complete: 28 hours 
• Training format: On-demand videos, reading, certification exam
• Key topics covered: Sustainable supply chains and circularity; sustainable supply chain planning, sourcing and procurement; sustainable supply chain operations and technology

Integrating Corporate Citizenship Through Your Supply Chain from the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship

This course is an elective within the Certificate in Corporate Citizenship Practice and was designed to help corporate citizenship professionals develop or refresh their company’s corporate social responsibility strategy. Participants learn how to connect with partners throughout the value chain to increase participation in voluntary and reporting programs and improve environmental impacts. 

• Cost : $1,710 for members, $2,050 for nonmembers
• Time to complete: 12 to 15 hours
• Training format: On-demand videos, exercises
• Key topics covered: Environmental, social and economic risks and opportunities throughout the supply chain; evaluating supply partners using materiality assessments, risk evaluation and incentives; tools for determining scope, encouraging transparency and demonstrating accountability; service vs. product-based supply chains; creating programs that allow the capture of key metrics; the role of third-party certifications

Live online training

These courses include live lectures, workshops or assignments that have specific due dates, adding a time-sensitive element to the learning experience. They are arranged in order of their start dates.

Building Sustainable Supply Chains Workshop from the Association for Supply Chain Management 

This workshop teaches enrollees how to interpret and apply the ASCM Supply Chain Sustainability Standards , which cover ethical considerations such as anti-corruption, antitrust, codes of conduct, confidentiality, human rights and labor practices and environmental considerations such as circular economy, climate strategy, energy, water, waste, and product life cycle stewardship. This is part of ASCM’s larger training catalog that includes programs such as the Supply Chain Resilience Certificate , which also incorporates sustainability principles. Workshops are available online or in-person in cities around the world. 

• Next start date: Started April 1
• Cost: $1,997
• Time to complete: 3 weeks, 8 hours per week
• Training format: Live online classes or in-person classes
• Key topics covered: Regulations and governance for supply chain disclosures; how to apply the ASCM Enterprise Standards for Sustainability; identifying gaps for supply chain continuous improvement; avoiding greenwashing

PECB Certified ISO 20400 Lead Manager from Abilene Academy

This course teaches professionals how to integrate the sustainable procurement guidelines of ISO 20400 at their organization and prepares them for successful completion of the PECB Certified Lead Sustainable Procurement Manager exam, one of several certifications from PECB related to ISO sustainability standards . 

• Next start date: April 22
• Cost: $3,750
• Time to complete: 5 days
• Training format : Live online classes, exercises, certification exam
• Key topics covered: Introduction to ISO 20400; understanding the relationship between ISO 20400, ISO 26000 and ISO 14001; planning and integrating sustainability into the procurement process; contract management, measurement and continual improvement

Sustainable Supply Chain Management from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

This logistics-focused course uses creative business models, integrated supply chain analytics, key performance indicator (KPI) formulations and the latest technology to teach students how to enact meaningful changes in their organizations. 

• Next start date: May 1
• Cost: $2,987
• Time to complete: 8 weeks, 6 to 10 hours per week 
• Training format: On-demand videos, assignments, live online tutoring available
• Key topics covered: Essentials of supply chain management; designing efficient, resilient supply chain; supply chain analytics; innovation and supply chain technology; supply chain collaboration and partnerships; rewiring your supply chain

Supply Chain Decarbonization from Terra.do

This course teaches learners how to make supply chains climate-resilient, implement sustainable procurement practices and engage cooperatively with stakeholders. The four weekly assignments culminate in a climate action roadmap for an example company’s supply chain. 

• Next start date: Sept. 10
• Time to complete: 4 weeks, 1.5 hours per week
• Training format: Live online classes, assignments
• Key topics covered: Stakeholder mapping and engagement; risk and climate impact assessment for supply chains; sustainable procurement guidelines; climate action roadmaps

Climate Foundations from the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council

This comprehensive virtual training and coaching program is designed to equip procurement, supply chain and sustainability professionals with the knowledge, tools and strategic approach they need to develop and reach meaningful greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals. The coaching work supports participants in prioritizing and strategizing action on highly relevant categories and suppliers and culminates in the completion of a Strategic Climate Plan and Supplier Engagement Plan for your organization. While the next full version of the signature course won’t start again until February, a compact edition will be available Oct. 2. 

• Oct. 2 for the compact edition
• February for the full course
• $575 to $1,200 for the compact edition
• $790 to $1,650 for the full course
• 2 months, 1 to 1.5 hours per week for the compact edition
• 6 months, 1 to 1.5 hours per week for the full course
• Training format: Live online workshops and classes; on-demand videos; peer-to-peer interaction and support
• Key topics covered: Developing a vision, prioritized strategies and goals for your climate plan; GHG protocol-based data management and reporting; engaging suppliers; understanding and setting SBTIs; evaluating and purchasing credible offsets; low-carbon concrete; optional demos of CDP, EcoVadis, Cority – Greenstone +, Salesforce – Net Zero Cloud, Persefoni and U.S. EPA – Simplified GHG Emission Calculator

Join the conversation 

I hope this article has helped you find at least one great new resource to help you incorporate more sustainable supply chain and procurement practices. Remember, if I’ve missed one of your favorites or if you want to tell me about a resource that could be relevant to a future article, please join the conversation on LinkedIn . Until next time!

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More From Forbes

Triple win: cutting costs, enhancing resilience and promoting sustainability in the supply chain.

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Ben Eachus, cofounder and CEO, Flowspace .

Headlines about supply chain issues have ballooned in recent years, and so too have the roles of supply chain leaders. Companies now face growing consumer demands around fulfillment speed while also battling rising costs, labor shortages, disruptions and the impacts of climate change. The complexity is challenging supply chain leaders to respond quickly and remain prepared for the next disruption.

Fortunately, organizations can address these issues simultaneously through synergy with the right strategy and a flexible fulfillment network. By focusing on a “triple bottom” line of cost, resiliency and sustainability, supply chain leaders can align their decision-making across the entire organization.

The Perfect Storm: Climate Change, Disruption And Rising Expenses

The growing costs of labor, transportation, leasing and operating fulfillment centers are weighing heavily on companies’ financial health. The most recent State of Logistics Report by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals found U.S. logistics costs are increasing and recently reached $2.3 trillion, representing more than 9% of the national gross domestic product.

Supply chain leaders must also consider their company’s potential contributions to climate change. There’s growing pressure from the government, the private sector and consumers to reduce Scope 3 emissions . More than 90% of an organization’s greenhouse gas emissions and between 50% and 70% of operating costs are attributable to supply chains, according to EY .

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Climate change, extreme weather events and global disruptions have thrown many supply chain leaders off guard. The length and complexity of today’s supply chains also mean that upstream and lateral disruptions can create ripple effects across the entire system. An unexpected snowstorm in Texas, wildfires in the Pacific Northwest or holdups at the Suez Canal can impact production lines, slow distribution and throw off inventory estimates. As there is no more “normal” in supply chains, leaders need to be able to make informed, up-to-the-minute decisions.

The Triple Bottom Line Of Cost, Care And Continuity

As supply chain leaders are tasked with delivering on a “triple bottom line” of reducing costs, increasing resiliency and improving sustainability, many organizations can address these challenges with the right strategy, real-time visibility and a flexible fulfillment network.

Boosting The Balance Sheet

Supply chain leaders are currently facing lean budgets and mandates to cut costs. Many VC-backed brands, for example, are trying to rapidly scale with a lean supply chain team that may only have a couple of members. With supply chain costs accounting for up to 20% of business expenditures, it can be challenging to scale without skyrocketing costs.

One way to boost the balance sheet is to outsource aspects of the supply chain to partners, thereby creating an extension of your team. Strategic partnerships can also alleviate long-term leases, which can be a drain on a brand’s profits.

A flexible network model can allow companies to transform fixed supply chain costs like labor and warehousing into consumption-based variable costs where they only pay for what they use. This can not only help you save money on long-term contracts, unused assets and inefficiency costs but also scale up and down more easily as needed.

When looking for partners, due diligence is critical. Your ideal partner should be one who not only understands your company's specific needs but also demonstrates their capability to meet them effectively. Tailor your Request for Proposal (RFP) documents to reflect your business' unique requirements and emphasize the importance of performance metrics. It’s also important to ensure a partner's software will integrate with your existing technology stack—the key to maximizing efficiency and optimization. Beware of red flags such as vague answers or an unwillingness to provide detailed operational insights, as these responses might indicate gaps in a potential partner's capabilities.

Benefiting The Environment

Sustainability is no longer an option but a mandate that impacts cost, profit and brand image. In many ways, the public now demands sustainability more than regulators. McKinsey & Company notes that consumers are increasingly shifting their purchases to brands with products and business models that make ESG-related claims.

At the same time, supply chains account for approximately 60% of all global emissions, according to Accenture . Route optimization makes a big impact, but until entire fleets of delivery vehicles become fuel-efficient, reducing transportation distances is the most effective way to reduce emissions.

Leveraging a distributed network to store and fulfill products closer to end customers can not only reduce carbon emissions but also delivery times and costs. For example, we had a CPG client that optimized its fulfillment network by going from a single optimized location to three optimized locations. This reduced total shipping distances by 80%, saving an average of 1,500 miles and reducing carbon emissions by 83% per shipment. According to EPA calculations , that's the equivalent of taking nearly 15,000 vehicles off the road for a year.

Building Business Continuity

At the end of the day, a supply chain leader’s duty is to keep inventory flowing, no matter the disruption. Business continuity starts with having better visibility so supply chain leaders can make better decisions that impact all areas and quickly change course when issues arise. A smart fulfillment network, which leverages tools like digital twins (a virtual model of a physical object) and machine learning, can offer decision-makers a clear view of real-time inventory levels and the movement and status of goods.

This real-time information, combined with the capabilities of a flexible fulfillment network, helps build resiliency by limiting the impact of disruptions and supporting faster recovery when incidents occur. For example, with advanced analytics and digital twins, supply chain leaders can run scenarios to simulate the outcomes of different options. If a critical distribution center is suddenly knocked offline in Texas, the organization can quickly identify the next best optimal location, considering cost, transit time and demand.

The only certainty in today’s supply chain is change and disruption. By aligning flexible solutions, strategy and technology, organizations can meet customer expectations and boost their triple bottom line.

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Considers the issues surrounding the development and management of sustainable food and beverage supply chains. Students will examine supply chains’ processes and structures, menu and operational design, food and beverage sustainability and quality, and challenges in managing quality associated with food and beverage.

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