A new report from the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics and the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals finds that most companies remain committed to sustainability, even amid economic uncertainty and regulatory shifts. Based on a survey of 1,203 supply chain professionals across 97 countries, 85% of firms said they are maintaining or increasing sustainability efforts, while 73% reported steady commitments despite policy volatility [1][2].

According to MIT researcher Sreedevi Rajagopalan, the findings show that sustainability is being driven “by forces beyond federal policy.” European firms are primarily influenced by regulatory mandates such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, while North American companies are guided by investor expectations, shareholder pressure, and reputation concerns [1].

However, the report identifies significant challenges in measuring emissions. About 50% of North American firms still use spreadsheets to track sustainability data, compared to 32% in Europe, where companies increasingly use life-cycle assessment tools. The study warns that reliance on basic financial data can underestimate emissions and limit meaningful progress [1][2].

Tracking Scope 3 emissions, those generated across value chains, remains especially difficult. While around 40% of firms monitor direct emissions, few have reliable systems for Scope 3, which can represent up to 75% of total emissions. Roughly 70% said they lack sufficient supplier data to make accurate calculations [2].

Collaboration is proving essential: 87% of companies involved in industry partnerships reported improved data sharing, supplier engagement, and cost savings. Yet some firms are easing net-zero timelines due to financial and operational constraints.

“Reducing emissions is not easy, and companies cannot tackle this challenge alone,” Rajagopalan said [1]. Still, as MIT’s Josué Velázquez Martínez emphasized, “Sustainability still matters”, and better measurement will be key to driving real progress [2].

References
[1] ESG Dive. Sustainability across supply chains still a priority for companies: MIT. Retrieved from https://www.esgdive.com/news/sustainability-across-supply-chains-a-priority-for-companies-mit/803642/

[2] MIT News. Report: Sustainability in supply chains is still a firm-level priority. Retrieved from https://news.mit.edu/2025/report-sustainability-supply-chains-still-firm-level-priority-1006