What To Expect From Supply Chains In 2026 And Beyond

2026 has begun amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty. US actions in Venezuela’s oil sector could reshape global energy markets and supply chain dynamics. At the same time, the prospect of US claims on territory in Greenland – and the threat of European retaliatory measures – are extending the instability that weighed heavily on global supply chains throughout 2025. In this context, sustainability across the supply chain will determine how firms build resilience and adapt to the increasingly fragmented global supply chain landscape. Insights from the Verdantix Future Of Supply Chain Sustainability report highlight three structural shifts that will decisively shape the future of supply chain sustainability:

Firstly, firms will diversify and decentralize supply chain networks to strengthen business resilience. Rising geopolitical tensions, climate pressures and social disruptions are accelerating a shift toward more diversified supply chains, with heightened focus on low-cost and geopolitically neutral regions. With organizations increasingly diversifying operations with divergent ESG and sustainability policy developments, decentralized supply chains will help translate sustainability considerations from strategy to field implementation. While some firms might distribute risk through geographic diversification, others – especially in highly concentrated sectors – will favour shorter, more localized networks. This can strengthen sustainability partnerships, but also increases dependency risks for mid-sized organizations and SMEs with limited bargaining power.

Secondly, supply chain leaders will step up in both strategic planning and sustainability decision-making. Supply chain teams will expand their remit, taking on a more active role in shaping sustainability strategies. They will be central to the implementation of practices such as optimizing routes to reduce emissions, sourcing materials with lower environmental impact, adopting circular economy principles, and integrating renewable energy into manufacturing and distribution processes. This will require continued collaboration between supply chain and sustainability functions, driving innovation and expanding use cases, from product traceability for risk management to nearshoring strategies to mitigate tariff exposure.

Thirdly, supply chain data – and the resulting analysis – will factor significantly in how effectively organizations harmonize risk, operational performance and sustainable outcomes over the coming decade. As supply chains become more diversified and sustainability is embedded more deeply into day‑to‑day operations, success will depend on the seamless integration and management of supply chain and sustainability data. Agentic AI will play an increasingly critical role by delivering harmonized, real‑time intelligence across complex and fragmented networks. This capability will enable firms to anticipate disruptions, respond dynamically and absorb shocks, while safeguarding long‑term sustainability commitments. Organizations that fully harness the potential of agentic AI will not only be better protected against uncertainty but will also set the pace for the transformation towards truly sustainable supply chains.

The future of supply chains will be defined by how effectively firms integrate resilience and sustainability in an era of persistent disruption. While organizations cannot prevent supply chain shocks, those that treat sustainability as a core operational capability will be best positioned to anticipate and absorb disruptions without compromising long‑term sustainability goals. In doing so, they can adapt at speed and build supply chains that are not only sustainable – but also futureproof.

To learn more about the future of supply chain sustainability, as well as Verdantix predictions for 2026, see Verdantix Future Of Supply Chain Sustainability and Verdantix Market Insight: 10 Predictions For ESG & Sustainability In 2026 And Beyond.