The rapid proliferation of digital technology in recent years has disrupted global trade and supply chains. As we continue to embrace this transformation, we are ushering in a new era of flexibility in business operations, shattering traditional barriers, and redefining industry standards. As the industry continues to embrace these advancements, we stand at the precipice of a new era in global trade characterized by unprecedented speed, agility, and efficiency. In traditional frameworks, supply chains were primarily viewed as linear processes that involved physical components. In traditional frameworks, supply chains were primarily viewed as linear processes that involved physical components. However, this limited perspective has led to one of the underlying challenges in supply chain management. The discipline of supply chain management has long been strongly associated with logistics, overlooking the broader aspects of a comprehensive supply chain strategy. This narrow focus became e
Implementing the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) in January 2026 for large corporates and smaller firms in January 2027 makes it clear that supply chain sustainability will become even more critical. Recent research by HSBC and the Boston Consulting Group has shown that global supply chains are responsible for up to 80% of the world's total carbon emissions, underscoring the urgent need to make supply chains greener and more socially responsible. Could supply chain finance (SCF) play a crucial role in aligning ESG with supply chain management? Could SCF incentivize suppliers to improve their ESG performance, ultimately leading to a much-needed reduction in carbon emissions globally? Global supply chains are responsible for up to 80% of the world's total carbon emissions. Companies have seen various stakeholders taking the lead on ESG, from CSOs and CFOs to general counsels and company secretaries. The CEO, however, should take primary accountabili