Blue Yonder: No Net Zero Without Transparent Supply Chains

Please introduce yourself and your role 

My name is Saskia Van Gendt, and I’m the Chief Sustainability Officer at Blue Yonder, responsible for developing and executing the company’s sustainability strategy and driving sustainability initiatives in product roadmaps and across the company.

I’m an environmental scientist with 18 years of experience in sustainability, working across consumer products, retail, government and manufacturing. Prior to working at Blue Yonder, I was Head of Sustainability for Rothy’s, a vertically integrated retailer best known for creating stylish, comfortable shoes from recycled plastic. At Rothy's, I pioneered the brand's commitment to circular production and net zero carbon, implementing programmes for footwear recycling, zero waste manufacturing and decarbonising shipping.

I have also worked as Senior Director of Sustainability at Method, a brand renowned for its plant-based and design-led cleaning products. At Method, I implemented sustainability initiatives across the European business and at Method’s soap factory in Chicago. I started my career at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) office in San Francisco, focused on innovative waste reduction and green building practices.

Talk to us about Blue Yonder and its sustainability strategy 

Blue Yonder is the world leader in digital supply chain transformation. Retailers, manufacturers and logistics service providers worldwide rely on us to optimise and accelerate their supply chain from planning and fulfilment to delivery and returns.

Our AI-driven supply chain platform and multi-enterprise, multi-tier network enable more accurate forecasting and dynamic management of capacity, inventory and transport. We help businesses navigate modern supply chain complexity and volatility with more resilient, sustainable supply chains to delight customers, scale profitably and run flawlessly.

In logistics, our AI-driven transportation and warehouse management solutions help eliminate unnecessary miles and reduce fuel consumption, while in retail and manufacturing, advanced planning tools optimise inventory to prevent overproduction and waste. 

Our newest solutions include sustainability-specific measurement and optimisation capabilities, allowing customers to quantify and reduce carbon emissions and waste in Transportation Management, Retail Planning and Manufacturing Planning.

Through strategic partnerships, cutting-edge technology and a data-driven approach, Blue Yonder drives a more sustainable future while ensuring businesses remain agile and competitive.

Our company plans to advance four key goals outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically developing new solutions that align with:  

• Goal 2: Zero Hunger: Through its supply chain solutions, Blue Yonder empowers organisations to improve inventory management, reduce waste and enhance traceability, supporting efforts to eradicate hunger and ensure access to nutritious food for all 
• Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being: Through its supply chain solutions, Blue Yonder optimises networks, allowing companies to ensure the availability of critical medical supplies, medications and equipment, ultimately supporting better health outcomes and well-being for communities worldwide 
• Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Through its supply chain solutions, Blue Yonder promotes the circular economy, enabling waste avoidance through improved inventory management and manufacturing planning and facilitating lower carbon and waste returns
• Goal 13: Climate Action: Through its supply chain solutions, Blue Yonder empowers organisations to measure, monitor, and mitigate their carbon emissions and environmental impact across planning, transportation, warehousing and returns.

A further key element of Blue Yonder’s own sustainability roadmap is its commitment to net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, alongside a shift to 100% renewable energy for our operations. The company also invests in sustainable product innovation, developing solutions that enhance emissions tracking, waste reduction and ethical sourcing across industries.

Why is supply chain transparency important on the road to net zero?

Supply chain transparency is essential to achieving net zero because it allows businesses to identify, track and reduce emissions across their entire value chain. In this context, data-driven insights, real-time monitoring and emissions reporting provide the essential insight companies need to understand where carbon reduction efforts can be most effective. By leveraging AI-powered solutions for carbon footprint tracking and waste reduction, for example, Blue Yonder enables organisations to make informed, strategic decisions that align with sustainability goals.

Ultimately, transparent supply chains not only improve environmental performance but also help companies build that all-important trust with stakeholders, investors and consumers who demand verifiable progress toward a lower-carbon future.

How can companies support their supply chain in transparent reporting? And how does this help companies reach their sustainability goals?

Effective transparency reporting is critical for companies looking to build sustainable supply chains, with technology tools playing an increasingly important role in bridging the gap between reporting objectives and achievements. For example, AI-driven analytics are enabling businesses to gain end-to-end visibility, tracking materials, assess environmental impact and ensure regulatory compliance.

The growing emphasis on compliance is also focusing minds — not just on legal requirements but also on how organisations can enhance resource management and waste reduction, so their supply chains align with shared sustainability goals. 

In addition, integrating circular economy principles, such as reusing, refurbishing and recycling, can be embedded into transparent reporting processes so companies can measure progress and drive long-term environmental improvements.

The European regulations, Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) represent a paradigm shift in sustainability reporting — one that looks set to catalyse transformational changes around how companies align on disclosure standards and improve transparency around meeting environmental and social objectives.

Both CSDDD and CSRD elevate the crucial importance of transparency and accountability in global supply chains. AI-enabled solutions allow businesses to gain visibility across every tier of the supply chain down to the raw material level and all production processes. 

By implementing AI-enabled systems organisations can ensure they achieve deep visibility of the environmental impact of their supply chains, for compliance, environmental and financial advantage.  

What advice would you give to sustainability leaders trying to bring more transparency to their supply chains?

Clearly, advanced technology tools are an essential component for organisations focused on transparency. Investments in ESG analytics and data visualisation are booming, enabling companies to dissect their environmental impacts and share their sustainability journey with stakeholders transparently.

Beyond that, sustainability must be embedded into core business operations, not treated as a separate initiative. Transparent reporting should also go beyond compliance, serving as a mechanism to enhance resource management and waste reduction. For organisations everywhere, real-time monitoring and emissions tracking provide the visibility needed to measure progress effectively and make informed decisions.

Bringing all these components together is collaboration, which can help unite suppliers, logistics partners and stakeholders to build accountability and alignment around their sustainability goals. This combination of technology, operational integration and strategic partnerships is a strong catalyst for building more resilient, responsible supply chains that support long-term environmental and business success.

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