A Gartner survey of 320 supply chain leaders in December 2021 and January 2022 found that 18% of respondents conduct both risk assessments and scenario planning (see Figure 1). In addition, 27% have conducted a climate change risk assessment to identify their most critical supply chain risks.
"The effects of climate change are hard to predict, but it is possible to model the risks and opportunities that might occur,” said Heather Wheatley, senior director analyst with the Gartner Supply Chain practice. “Chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) regularly assess various risks and opportunities as part of the normal business – this must be done for climate change as well.”
Figure 1: How organisations assess exposure to climate change risk
The survey noted that 44% of respondents have a general sense of potential climate change risks based on previous events. This means they understand that climate change risks are materialising, but those risks are not methodically identified or quantified.
However, the past is not a good predictor of future climate change events, as the severity and impact of events will escalate.
“Scenario planning is a crucial part of the process, as it highlights key elements of a possible future and helps draw attention to the key factors that will drive future developments. For example, in a future that includes raw material scarcity and trade uncertainty, organisations that rely on more resilient inputs such as drought-resistant crops can gain a competitive advantage,” Wheatley said.
The biggest challenge for climate adaptation
Climate adaptation must be included in investment decisions. For example, if building a new manufacturing plant, design considerations should be made for future climate change threats such as heat waves or water shortages.
However, the need for financial investment can deter action. The top barriers to planning for climate change in the supply chain include a focus on short-term decision-making (57%) and an inability to link the cause and investment to benefits (57%).
“Investments in climate adaptation require a certain level of foresight. An increasingly popular tool is the shadow carbon price, which applies a notional cost to greenhouse gas emissions, effectively translating a future risk into a present-day operational cost that attracts the attention of business leaders."
Heather Wheatley
Assess climate change risk still in infancy stages
Only 19% of surveyed companies are using digital technology to help understand climate change risks. Of those organisations that are using technology, 85% are utilising predictive analysis.
Examples of tools that could be used include geospatial analysis, drones, and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities such as ecological simulations. Many organisations are also partnering with external consultants to help model scenarios.
“For those organisations that are not using digital technology, it is unclear what information is being used to help model scenarios and to identify and assess risks. CSCOs should ensure that this blind spot is not overlooked,” Wheatley concluded.
