30,882 megawatt hours of annual renewable energy created from the solar installations equates to a reduction of roughly 20,798 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO 2 e). (In accordance with Solar Renewable Energy Certi cates accounting protocols, Americold claims a 12,711 tCO 2 e reduction.) Americold has ve more solar projects currently under construction, with six more expected to break ground in 2026. 6 Map the Supply Chain Approximately 25% of companies in PwC’s State of Decarbonization Report report no visibility beyond their Tier 1 suppliers. This makes it dif cult to develop a clear understanding of where emissions, waste, and risk are concentrated across materials, production, and logistics, Linich says. By mapping the sub-tiers of their supply chains, organizations can identify where carbon and waste leaks occur and use this information to prioritize interventions. 7 Work Across Silos Many organizations operate in silos, yet sustainability cuts across multiple departments, including procurement, operations, product development, logistics, and nance, says Bryan Gross, supply chain operations partner with PwC U.S. Without shared KPIs, such as cost and emissions per unit, teams tend to optimize locally rather than across the system. A lack of aligned incentives and cross-functional coordination can hinder progress. 8 Source Locally, When Possible One challenge to operating sustainably is “distance decay,” says Kevin Lyons, PhD, professor of professional practice and director, Center for Local Supply Chain Resiliency with Rutgers Business School. When supply chains are optimized for short-term cost, they prioritize global sourcing that relies on carbon-intensive long-haul logistics. Local sourcing strategies can reduce
costs, as well as carbon impacts, because shipments move shorter distances. This also allows for packaging reductions, which can further reduce shipping weight and fuel consumption. Interface has emphasized regional supply chains and manufacturing locations close to its customers, Minne says. By building supply networks around its manufacturing hubs, Interface
pay off right away, Krajacic says. In fact, emissions numbers may initially look worse, as accurate data replaces estimates. Measurable emissions reductions typically follow process changes by 12 to 24 months. Longer term, the savings gained by shifting transportation modes and reducing inventory carrying costs can compound over time. Structural changes, such as network redesign, can also produce more durable results. “The cost and sustainability curves don’t always move together at rst, but they tend to converge,” Krajacic adds. 11 Integrate AI, Data, and Workflows Connecting AI, data, and work ows across an enterprise provides visibility into emissions and operational hotspots, while creating a road map for productive changes, Gross says. He worked with a global trade hub that implemented a digital platform to connect stakeholders— including shipping providers, transport operators, and nancial institutions— across its previously fragmented logistics ecosystem. Because the new platform improved end-to-end visibility of goods moving through the hub, participants could better coordinate operations, reduce delays, and minimize errors that had resulted from inconsistent or outdated information. While not explicitly designed as a sustainability initiative, the improvements support sustainability and resilience by reducing inef ciencies, enabling better tracking, and creating the transparency needed to more effectively manage environmental impacts. 12 Innovate With Materials Interface has reduced its carbon footprint in part by prioritizing low-carbon and raw material innovation, increasing its use of recycled, bio-based, and captured- carbon materials across manufacturing processes, Minne says. This reduces the embodied carbon of its products while
reduces transportation emissions, improves agility, and strengthens
collaboration with local suppliers. This improves resilience and responsiveness to local market needs. 9 Develop “New Collar” Workers A workforce that understands both digital inventory optimization and manual shop- oor reality can foster the adoption of advanced sustainability protocols. Lyons refers to these workers as “new collar” employees. 10 Recognize the Timing of Costs and Benefits May Not Align When implementing sustainability initiatives, some early wins are possible. One example? Improved planning that cuts the need for expediting, saving money and emissions. Many changes, such as developing a measurement infrastructure, require an upfront investment that likely won’t
Commercial flooring company Interface uses bio-based and captured carbon materials to cut emissions across its global supply chain.
June 2026 • Inbound Logistics 25
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