3-Step Workbook to Build Your

Supply Chain Sustainability

Strategic Plan

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 3-Step Workbook to Build Your Supply Chain Sustainability Strategic Plan

Introduction
Sustainability is rising as a priority on company agendas, and supply chain
organizations have a key role to play in enabling enterprise sustainability
priorities. The Gartner Supply Chain Sustainability Strategic Plan Builder helps
supply chain leaders craft strategic action plans aligned to enterprise ESG
goals. This tool provides templated support to build supply chain functional
goals with detailed action steps, owners and metrics to measure progress
periodically.
Supply chain leaders can use this tool to:
• Document enterprise ESG goals, associated supply chain functional goals
and action steps, owners and metrics.
• Ensure sustainability strategic plans are fully documented and can be
adjusted based on shifting focuses and initiatives.
• Share the progress against supply chain sustainability initiatives in
stakeholder communication documents or board presentations.

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 3-Step Workbook to Build Your Supply Chain Sustainability Strategic Plan

Your 3-Step Workbook

Step 1 Step 2
Identify enterprise ESG goals. Align supply chain functional goals.

Enterprise ESG goals are targets set by the organization to achieve its Supply chain functional goals define the unique contributions the supply chain
enterprise sustainability mission and objectives. These goals are identified by organization will make in support of the enterprise ESG goals. Sample supply
executive leaders in collaboration with cross-functional peers to help improve chain functional goals that we’ve observed in our research of supply chain
business outcomes, and deliver quantitative and tangible results. organizations include:
Based on best practices from peer organizations, Gartner has compiled this list • Build a culture of sustainability.
of sample enterprise ESG goals from which you can make your selection. Or • Integrate sustainability criteria into CAPEX/OPEX expenditure rules.
you may feel free to enter your own goals. We advise a maximum of 10 goals.
• Motivate staff to prioritize sustainability outcomes.
• Invest in ESG enablers
• Leverage internal and external partners to enable ESG performance.
• Reduce energy consumption
• Reduce fuel consumption in the logistics value chain.
• Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
• Optimize weight and size of packaging.
• Assess future climate change risks
• Reduce and optimize water consumption in manufacturing operations.
• Reduce problematic packaging
• Improve labor practices in manufacturing operations.
• Decrease water impacts
• Improve product circularity characteristics.
• Respect labor and human rights
• Align business models to circular outcomes.
• Enable circular economy
• Develop circular economy partnerships.
• Promote community engagement
You may select goals from this list or enter your own. You may also enter
owners, due dates and status indicators. We advise a maximum of six supply
chain functional goals per enterprise ESG goal.

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 3-Step Workbook to Build Your Supply Chain Sustainability Strategic Plan

Step 3
Outline action steps for each functional goal.

Action steps are discrete tasks that need to be performed to achieve the
identified functional goals. Action steps are narrowly scoped, have assigned
owners and may be time bound. Sample actions that we’ve observed in our
research of supply chain organizations include:
• Define sustainability criteria to help prioritize supply chain investments.
• Set a GHG emissions reduction target for your company and/or set energy
reduction targets for your suppliers.
• Identify site-specific efficiency projects.
• Eliminate packaging in products.
• Assess opportunities to use circular materials.
• Develop investment strategies with local communities.
• Develop circular economy partnerships.
Add actions to support each functional goal. You may also enter owners, key
metrics for success, due dates and status indicators. We advise a maximum
of three action steps per functional goal.

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 3-Step Workbook to Build Your Supply Chain Sustainability Strategic Plan

Actionable, Webinar Research

objective insight
Build a Supply Chain That Thrives Supply Chain Top 25 Climate
in a Low-carbon Economy Change Leadership
A CSCO panel discusses the opportunities and risks Explore the climate change response of the top 25
of the low-carbon economy. supply chain leaders.
Position your organization for success.
Explore these additional complimentary
Watch Now Download Research
resources and tools for supply chain
leaders:

Research Webinar
How Supply Chains Are Responding Supply Chain Sustainability: Progress from
to a Changing Climate Strategy to Action
Explore three ways to adapt your supply chain A CSCO panel discusses the importance of authentic
to climate change. achievement of sustainability goals.

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