Sustainability in supply chain management has evolved from a strategic aspiration to a non-negotiable imperative. In 2026, companies face mounting pressure from regulators, consumers and investors to embed environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles into their operations. Failure to act no longer merely presents a reputational risk — it poses financial, legal and operational consequences. This paper analyses how organisations can convert sustainability vision into structured implementable strategies. It presents a maturity-based model, recent case studies across industries, key regulatory frameworks and quantifiable benefits from ESG-aligned transformation. With a forward-looking perspective, the aim is to map the path to 2030 and beyond, helping professionals future-proof their supply chains. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Alessandro Scotti (2026) studied this question.