Our 2025 Global Supply Chain Outlook report revealed that 85% of executives surveyed regard sustainability as a core business objective. However, developing and executing a sustainability strategy isn’t easy. It’s still new, complex and evolving rapidly as more innovative solutions come to market.
Drawing from our experience supporting companies worldwide who are developing or refining their sustainability and resiliency strategy, here's a framework for building a comprehensive program across your supply chain operations that boosts operational efficiency and resiliency.
Understand the Data
An effective strategy starts with data collection and analysis so that companies can set meaningful targets to measure and track progress. The big buckets to review are:
- Energy Usage: Energy use from lighting, climate control, and cold storage systems offers insights into efficiency opportunities.
- Emissions: Knowing where your emissions are coming from, including from embodied carbon in building materials, transportation fleets, material handling equipment and other facility operations, helps to identify carbon reduction priorities.
- Waste Management: General trash, recyclable materials, hazardous waste, steam and water patterns reveal opportunities to improve resource efficiency and reduce waste.
Advanced building management systems and sensors can help automate data collection, simplifying reporting and enabling real-time optimization. Our customers who adopt data-driven decision-making typically see significant cost-savings within the first year of implementation.
Maximize Operational Efficiency
With baseline data, companies can quickly optimize operations starting with energy efficiency improvements like adjusting HVAC settings, switching to LED lighting and occupancy sensors or shifting energy-intensive processes to off-peak hours.
Repower Operations with Clean Energy
To up the ante, companies can participate in on-site clean energy generation, such as rooftop solar and energy storage systems.
We have been installing solar on our rooftops since 2007 and currently rank as one of the top companies for on-site solar capacity. We have more than 544 megawatts of solar supported by storage in operation and are on track to reach one gigawatt by the end of 2025.
Beyond reducing carbon footprints, these solutions help customers manage energy costs by providing onsite renewable power, reducing reliance on traditional utilities and increasing resilience against energy price fluctuations. The integration of battery storage further ensures energy reliability, allowing businesses to store excess solar power and use it during peak demand periods.
Decarbonize Your Fleet
Transportation represents one of the most significant opportunities and challenges in supply chain sustainability. Transitioning to zero-emissions vehicles requires careful planning and infrastructure development, including procuring power. Our experience shows that properties with zero-emissions charging or fueling infrastructure and renewable energy systems are better positioned to support this transition while managing operating costs. Learn more at Prologis Mobility.
Create Long-Term Value
Sustainability initiatives deliver value beyond environmental benefits, including improved customer relationships, enhanced brand value and employee engagement. They're also better positioned to navigate emerging regulations and meet evolving stakeholder expectations.
As a company focused on creating the intelligent and resilient infrastructure that powers global commerce and seamlessly connects the digital and physical worlds, we know we have a role to play in these transformations – for our own business, the communities where we work, our customers and the future of global commerce.
