A new MIT-based analysis finds that corporate commitment to sustainable supply chains remains strong, even in turbulent economic times, though real progress is hindered by gaps in measurement, data, and strategy, says MIT News.
The report, authored by MIT’s Sustainable Supply Chain Lab in collaboration with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, draws on responses from 1,203 professionals across 97 countries. It notes that 85% of firms say they are maintaining or increasing their sustainability efforts in supply chains—solid evidence that sustainability still ranks high among firm-level priorities.
One central challenge is measuring emissions beyond a company’s direct operations, commonly referred to as Scope 3 emissions. These account for a large share of total emissions, yet fewer firms track them rigorously. The report finds that while around 40% of firms actively monitor Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (indirect energy) emissions, a much smaller fraction have robust measures for Scope 3 across their supply chains. Many companies struggle because they lack reliable data from suppliers, with nearly 70% reporting insufficient information to calculate emissions accurately.
Another barrier is the reliance on basic tools such as spreadsheets. In North America, half of the surveyed firms still use spreadsheets to estimate emissions; in Europe, 32% do the same. These simplistic methods limit the quality of insights and decision-making. More advanced tools such as life cycle assessment software are gaining traction, but adoption remains uneven.
The report also highlights regional differences in what drives action. In Europe, regulatory mandates such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive exert strong pressure. In North America, investor expectations and competitive positioning play a bigger role.
On the transport side, firms are experimenting with biofuels, electric vehicles, and hydrogen technologies to reduce emissions from freight logistics. Yet traditional improvements, such as better routes, capacity utilization, and use of existing infrastructure, still offer substantial gains at lower cost.
The report confirms that sustainability remains a corporate priority; however, to turn commitment into impact, firms must enhance their approach to measuring, managing, and acting on emissions across their complex supply chains.