Smart Innovators: Supply Chain Carbon Management

Published 25 September 2023 by Alastair Foyn & Ryan Skinner &

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Executive Summary

Supply chain carbon management is an increasingly prioritized focus of corporate sustainability teams and emission reduction strategies. To comply with emerging regulations aligned with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), avoid substantial transitional and reputational risks, and meet approaching decarbonization targets, firms are required to collate and analyse vast quantities of granular emissions data. This is prompting the adoption of software solutions with specialized or dedicated capabilities. This report benchmarks the innovation evident amongst 20 supply chain carbon management providers across five capability areas: supplier engagement, data management, data calculation, data analysis, and decarbonization implementation. Sustainability and supply chain leaders should use this report to understand this diverse, high innovation market, reflect on their current and future supply chain carbon management needs, assess emerging technologies – such as supplier engagement tools and automated and AI-enabled features – and compare solution vendors to inform their software selection choices.

Table of contents

Supply chain emissions are a glaring reputational liability
Accurate supply chain emissions reporting cuts climate risk and costs
Data and organizational hurdles trip up supply chain carbon management
Supply chain carbon management offerings are in full bloom
Dedicated carbon management vendors compete with ESG, EHS and supply chain players
Core capabilities of supply chain carbon management
Client enablement, AI and automation are at the forefront of innovation
Supplier engagement tools are developing enhanced functionality and broadening across multiple use cases
Automation and AI are becoming integral components of solution innovation
Three factors firms should consider when choosing supply chain carbon management solutions

Table of figures

Figure 1. Firms will prioritize supply chain decarbonization over the next three years
Figure 2. Internal carbon management teams lack the required knowledge and resources
Figure 3. Selection process and criteria for vendors included in this report 
Figure 4. Smart innovators: supply chain carbon management vendors
Figure 5. Supply chain carbon management solutions: capabilities and definitions
Figure 6. Supply chain carbon management solution providers capabilities assessment
Figure 7. AI functionality is a high priority for a third of carbon management software buyers

About the authors

Alastair Foyn

Analyst
Alastair is an Analyst in the Verdantix Net Zero & Climate Risk practice. His current research agenda focuses on carbon management software and decarbonization best practices, particularly those relating to Scope 3 and industrial emissions. Prior to joining Verdantix, Alastair worked at Tyler Grange, where he gained experience in consultancy practices and environmental strategy. Alastair holds a First Class BSc in Biological Sciences from Durham University, as well as an MSc in Sustainable Development, with Distinction, from the University of St Andrews.

Ryan Skinner

Research Director, Net Zero & Climate Risk
Ryan is the Research Director for the Verdantix Net Zero & Climate Risk practice. He guides the research team to develop compelling research at the intersection of net zero strategies, carbon management, climate risk and technology. Prior to joining Verdantix, Ryan was a principal analyst at Forrester Research, where he initiated the research into ESG data and analytics offerings. He also has extensive experience of helping software companies with their messaging, positioning, market and technology strategies. Ryan studied at Duke University, the University of Manchester and the University of Oslo, and speaks Norwegian fluently.

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