The Tech That Lets You See Carbon and Cost in Every Supply Chain Decision

Most organisations know their supply chain is where the bulk of their emissions sit. The problem has always been visibility: if you can't see it, you can't manage it.In this episode, we sit down with Saskia van Gendt, Chief Sustainability Officer at Blue Yonder, one of the biggest supply chain software platforms on the planet. Saskia has spent nearly two decades working across government, consumer goods, fashion and now enterprise tech, and she brings a rare combination of scientific rigour and real-world empathy to the conversation.We get into why large multinationals are staying the course on their carbon targets despite political headwinds, how companies are moving beyond spend-based carbon estimates to actual supplier data, and where AI fits into supply chain optimisation (including the honest trade-offs around energy use). Saskia also walks us through how tariff volatility is reshaping sourcing decisions and why the carbon intensity of manufacturing locations matters more than most people realise.If you work in sustainability consulting, supply chain, procurement, or you advise organisations on Scope 3 emissions, this one is packed with practical insight.Connect with Saskia on LinkedIn and visit https://www.blueyonder.com for case studies and their sustainable supply chain solutions.If you're a sustainability consultant or advisor looking to deliver stronger results for your clients, we'd love to have you in our network: https://www.51tocarbonzero.com/referral/Find out more about 51toCarbonZero: https://www.51tocarbonzero.comSubscribe and hit the bell so you don't miss the next episode. Drop us a comment or DM if there's a topic you want us to tackle.#Sustainability #SupplyChain #Scope3Emissions #NetZero #CarbonAccountingMentioned in this episode:UPCOMING WEBINAR: The Scope 3 Blind Spot: What Your Supplier Data Isn't Telling YouScope 3 emissions are often the biggest contributor to an organisation’s carbon footprint, yet many businesses are making decisions based on incomplete, outdated or estimated supplier data. In this webinar, we’ll explore the biggest blind spots in supplier emissions data, why they matter for reporting and decarbonisation, and how leading organisations are moving beyond spreadsheets and assumptions to build a more accurate, scalable approach to Scope 3. LIVE ATTENDANCE BONUS: complimentary gap audit of your top 10 suppliers. Wednesday 16 September | 1pm BST https://www.51tocarbonzero.com/webinar-supply-chain/Supply Chain WebinarKeep informed on Sustainability NewsI'm Will Richardson, Head of Ecosystems at 51toCarbonZero and a sustainability advisor with 25 years in the field. I founded Green Element in 2004 and spent two decades building it into one of Europe's most respected sustainability consultancies before it merged with 51toCarbonZero in November 2025. Climate action is both an obligation and an opportunity, and that's the thread running through everything I write here. I co-created Compare Your Footprint, carbon accounting software recognised as a key player in the Global Carbon Accounting Software Market, and I'm a Fellow of IEMA and a Chartered Environmentalist. Each week, I break down what's actually happening in sustainability: the data, the regulation, the greenwash worth calling out, and the practical steps businesses can take right now. No jargon, no doom-mongering, just clear thinking for people who need to make real decisions. I also host the Sustainability Solved podcast with Charlie Luxton, 200+ episodes and counting, where we talk to the people building the solutions. Based in Scotland. Writing for business leaders who want sustainability to make commercial sense, not just moral sense.Substack Blog