The Sustainability Thread: Connecting Data, Compliance & Action
In this episode of The Sustainable Supply Chain podcast, Tom Raftery sits down with Klaus Brettschneider, Director of Sustainability Products at Linx-AS, to explore how digitalization is transforming sustainability management. Klaus introduces the concept of the sustainability thread—an evolution of the digital thread—that connects sustainability data across an organization, enabling businesses to move beyond compliance and embed sustainability into product lifecycle management (PLM).
They discuss the challenges companies face, from fragmented data to complex supply chains, and how automation can streamline processes like carbon accounting and lifecycle assessments. Klaus shares insights on regulatory pressures such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), highlighting how businesses must align their IT strategies with sustainability goals to stay ahead.
They also cover:
- Why sustainability reporting is overwhelming teams—and how to fix it
- The role of AI, IoT, and blockchain in supply chain transparency
- Why industries like steel and cement are progressing, while agriculture struggles
- The importance of supplier collaboration in tracking sustainability data
Klaus argues that digitalization is the missing link in supply chain sustainability. If companies want to make meaningful progress, they must digitize sustainability data, integrate it into their processes, and ensure seamless data flow across their value chains.
Listen now and learn how to future-proof your sustainability strategy!
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