Unpacking the Role of AI in Sustainable Supply Chains

AI is reshaping how supply chain organisations approach environmental performance management.

At Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit, industry specialists explored how intelligent systems are enhancing accuracy, efficiency and speed across sustainability initiatives, with particular relevance for supply chain operations spanning logistics, procurement and end-to-end visibility.

The AI in Sustainability panel discussion featured multiple experts sharing insights into how these technologies could drive transformative change across sectors, from healthcare supply networks to global logistics operations and resource management systems.

Cloud technology transforms sustainability data

According to Hilary Tam, Sustainability Leader for AWS in EMEA, cloud and AI technologies enable organisations to capture, standardise and analyse sustainability data alongside financial and operational metrics. This integration could transform sustainability from a compliance function into a driver of growth and competitiveness within supply chain operations.

"Hopefully we can really help flip the script a little bit, help empower and inspire you to really kind of leverage the tools that we have to move sustainability, procurement, supply chain from an operational cost centre to front and centre," Hilary explained during the panel discussion.

Technology proves particularly critical for addressing Scope 3 emissions, which demand comprehensive supply chain visibility, data sharing and cross-organisational collaboration. Cloud-based platforms could unlock these capabilities, supporting optimisation in logistics, procurement and overall supply chain management.

Advanced tools like agentic AI could further amplify team capabilities by automating routine tasks, freeing supply chain leaders to focus on strategy, innovation and shaping organisational futures in emerging areas such as nature, biodiversity and long-term resilience.

AI-powered forecasting for decision-making

Josh Parker, Head of Sustainability at NVIDIA, highlighted how AI applications could enhance data value across supply chain operations. NVIDIA Earth-2 transforms weather and climate forecasting by providing an open, AI-powered platform that accelerates data assimilation, prediction and analysis.

"I would say data becomes just tremendously more powerful when you apply AI on top of it and that can lead to very pro-sustainability outcomes," Josh noted at the event.

For supply chain operations, high-resolution, production-ready forecasts enable faster, more accurate decision-making in areas from renewable energy deployment to disaster preparedness and logistics planning. By leveraging GPUs and modular AI infrastructure, Earth-2 reduces compute time, lowers costs and democratises access for enterprises and public agencies.

The platform integrates multiple AI models, allowing organisations to generate bespoke forecasts, improve short-term risk awareness and enhance climate resilience.

The potential in healthcare supply chains

Heidi Barnard, Head of Sustainability at NHS Supply Chain, demonstrated how AI could transform complex supply networks. The NHS is integrating artificial intelligence across clinical pathways, procurement and operations, with AI central to predictive staffing, digital supply chain management and value-based procurement.

"I'm able to look at that data and able to understand where their current emissions are, what their targets are, how they're deploying those targets and actually project that against where our targets are around 2030, 2040, 2045," Heidi explained during the panel discussion.

Sustainability is embedded across the NHS with net zero targets for direct emissions by 2040 and supply chain emissions by 2045. AI-driven initiatives optimise deliveries, reduce plastic and vehicle waste and streamline logistics operations.

Collaborative, technology-enabled approaches enhance supply chain visibility, risk management and ethical sourcing, demonstrating how AI could simultaneously advance environmental goals and operational efficiency across complex networks.

Adam Elman, Sustainability Director at Google, explained how the company leverages AI and cloud technology to transform data into actionable insights that improve urban planning and resource management.

"We use our geospatial capabilities, so Google Earth Engine, along with AI to analyse around 500 million buildings around the world to help solar developers understand pitch size, best design for solar arrays and that's really helping to speed up deployment," Adam noted at the panel.

Through platforms like Google Earth Engine and Vertex AI, organisations could access advanced analytics and scalable infrastructure to deliver environmental impact whilst managing the transparency and responsible energy use required for high-demand computing workloads.