Only One in 10 Companies Actively Manage Their Supply Chain Carbon Footprints, Accenture Study Finds

More than one-third have no awareness of level of emissions in their supply chain network

NEW YORK – Only 10 percent of companies actively model their supply chain carbon footprints and have implemented successful sustainability initiatives, according to survey findings released today by Accenture (NYSE: ACN).

The global survey of 245 supply chain executives also found that supply chain “masters” —organizations that have achieved top-quartile performance in both cost effectiveness and customer service — are more than twice as likely as non-masters (20 percent versus 9 percent) to actively model their supply chain carbon footprints and implement successful sustainability initiatives.

“Supply chain masters are making great strides in linking cost effectiveness, customer service and sustainable supply chain practices,” said Jonathan Wright, senior executive in Accenture’s Supply Chain Management practice. “Despite today’s reduced energy costs, there continues to be a business case for greening the supply chain, resulting in lower costs as well as environmentally responsible processes.”

The study also found that more than one-third (37 percent) of supply chain executives have no awareness of the level of supply chain emissions in their supply chain network. However, more than three-quarters (86 percent) of respondents have undertaken at least one green initiative in their warehouses, predominantly in the areas of recycling and using natural light, lighting management systems and energy efficient bulbs, while more than one-third (38 percent) of respondents said they have undertaken at least one green initiative in their transport fleet, such as streamlined vehicle design, green fuels and vehicles with hybrid engines.

“The study findings demonstrate that the vast majority of organizations are taking steps to reduce carbon emissions,” said Wright. “However, most are implementing carbon-reduction solutions without understanding their carbon footprint and are therefore unable to measure real impact those solutions are having on their emissions.”

About the Survey
Between May and July 2008, Accenture surveyed 245 supply chain executives responsible for their organizations’ logistics, warehousing and transportation capabilities as part of Accenture’s High Performance Supply Chain study, one of the most extensive research efforts ever conducted in supply chain management. The High Performance Supply Chain study comprises telephone and online surveys of more than 1,500 executives across six supply chain capability areas, representing input from 10 industries and 21 countries across North America, Europe and Asia.

About Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. With more than 186,000 people serving clients in over 120 countries, the company generated net revenues of US$23.39 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2008. Its home page is www.accenture.com.