By Paul R Salmon FCILT, FSCM
In the wake of unprecedented global disruptions – from the COVID-19 pandemic to climate-induced weather events – supply chain resilience has become a boardroom priority. Organisations worldwide are redesigning their networks to absorb shocks and recover faster.
But as we harden our supply chains against risk, an important question arises:
Are we building resilience at the cost of sustainability?
The answer lies in a new approach: Sustainable Resilience – supply chains that are not only robust but also environmentally and socially responsible.
🌱 What Is Sustainable Resilience?
Sustainable resilience is the ability of a supply chain to withstand and recover from disruptions while advancing environmental and social goals.
This approach recognises that traditional resilience strategies – such as stockpiling inventory, over-resourcing, or adding redundant infrastructure – can sometimes undermine sustainability efforts by creating waste, increasing emissions, and perpetuating inequities.
A sustainably resilient supply chain balances three dimensions:
✅ Operational Strength: Robustness and flexibility to handle shocks.
✅ Environmental Stewardship: Reducing carbon footprints and protecting ecosystems.
✅ Social Responsibility: Supporting workers, communities, and equitable trade.
🧠 Why This Matters
Traditional resilience models can clash with sustainability in subtle but significant ways:
⚠ Overstocking leads to higher resource use and product obsolescence.
⚠ Redundant logistics networks increase transport emissions.
⚠ Fast, reactive decisions in crises can overlook long-term social impacts.
At the same time, sustainability efforts can sometimes compromise resilience if they are too rigid or underprepared for volatility.
Sustainable resilience bridges these trade-offs, allowing supply chains to thrive in a volatile world while contributing to a healthier planet and society.
🔑 Principles of Sustainable Resilience
1️⃣ Right-Size Redundancy
Build redundancy where it matters, but avoid excess that drives waste.
Example: Diversifying suppliers regionally to reduce risk without stockpiling beyond actual demand.
2️⃣ Design for Circularity
Create closed-loop systems that keep materials in use and minimise environmental impact even during disruptions.
Example: Refurbishing and reusing returned products rather than discarding them in times of demand fluctuation.
3️⃣ Empower Local Communities
Strengthen resilience by investing in local suppliers and communities, reducing dependence on distant, fragile networks.
Example: Sourcing critical components from UK-based SMEs to balance global and local risk.
4️⃣ Leverage Digital Twins and AI
Use advanced modelling to simulate scenarios and balance resilience strategies with sustainability KPIs.
Example: Optimising logistics networks to ensure rapid response with minimal carbon emissions.
5️⃣ Collaborate Across Ecosystems
Work with suppliers, customers, and regulators to create shared resilience and sustainability goals.
Example: Joint investments in renewable energy for key supplier facilities.
🚀 Benefits of Sustainable Resilience
✔ Future-Proofing: Meets both risk management and regulatory expectations (e.g., net-zero commitments).
✔ Brand Value: Builds trust with customers and stakeholders demanding ethical practices.
✔ Innovation: Sparks creative solutions that balance strength and sustainability.
✔ Cost Savings: Avoids waste and inefficiencies from overbuilt systems.
🌍 The UK Opportunity: Leading by Example
For UK organisations, sustainable resilience is increasingly critical:
📜 Regulations: Net-zero targets and environmental reporting requirements. 🌪 Geopolitical volatility: Need for regional and ethical sourcing strategies. 🏭 Critical industries: Healthcare, defence, and food sectors require both resilience and sustainability.
Defence and public sector supply chains, for example, must design for rapid response without creating environmental or social trade-offs that undermine long-term objectives.
🏆 From Resilience to Sustainable Resilience
The question for supply chain leaders is not simply “How strong is our supply chain?” but “How strong and sustainable is it?”
Sustainable resilience is about optimising, not maximising. It is about designing supply chains that:
🌱 Bounce back from disruption.
🌱 Support environmental and social goals.
🌱 Create lasting value for all stakeholders.
This is the future of supply chain management – one where strength and stewardship go hand in hand.
✍ Join the Conversation
At the Supply Chain Council UK, we’re exploring how to integrate sustainability and resilience into one coherent strategy.
How is your organisation balancing these critical goals?
Share your experiences and insights as we shape the next generation of supply chains.
