Building Sustainability with Regenerative Supply Chains

By Nidhi DhullReviewed by Susha Cheriyedath, M.Sc.Nov 13 2024

A recent article published in Environmental Development calls for a shift from traditional Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) practices to a new approach called Regenerative Supply Chain Management (RSCM), tailored for the construction industry.

Unlike GSCM, which focuses on minimizing harm, the RSCM framework promotes actively restoring and enhancing natural and social systems through principles such as “focus on place,” “harmony with place,” and “co-evolution.”

Background

In the construction industry, GSCM emphasizes sustainability throughout a building’s entire lifecycle. This approach integrates green design, manufacturing, purchasing, transportation, and reverse logistics within traditional supply chains, aiming to balance environmental, economic, and social benefits.

However, the tools and frameworks currently available often fall short of helping building professionals connect human development with the natural environment in a meaningful way. Important aspects like community involvement, education, and social and economic diversity are often left out.

This gap calls for a shift toward regenerative thinking, which aims to create a more collaborative and balanced relationship with nature. While GSCM focuses on minimizing harm, regenerative approaches go further by actively supporting the health and growth of both people and the planet through adaptable, resilient, and restorative practices.

Methodological Framework

In this study, the researchers followed various steps to create a preliminary framework for RSCM. They began by reviewing the literature on regenerative practices to identify their strengths and weaknesses. The strengths helped shape the core elements of the framework, while the weaknesses highlighted areas for improvement.

Three main regenerative principles emerged from this analysis: focus on place, harmony with place, and co-evolution. Building on these principles, the researchers identified 40 regenerative practices through an in-depth literature review, organizing them into five main stages: design, purchasing, transportation, construction, and end-of-life (EoL) management.

Each of these practices was further aligned with the regenerative principles, allowing the researchers to clearly define each approach and show how it connects to the core principles. In the final step, they combined all the findings into a comprehensive framework, making adjustments along the way to ensure it was cohesive and practical.

Discussion

This study examined how regenerative principles can be woven throughout each phase of supply chain management (SCM). Key principles include focusing on the unique characteristics of local ecosystems (focus on place), aligning operations with the local environment (harmony with place), and continuously adapting and improving in response to environmental changes (co-evolution).

The proposed RSCM framework goes beyond traditional green or sustainable approaches, which aim to reduce environmental harm, by actively working to restore and enhance the environment over time. The framework encourages a more tailored approach, emphasizing that each location's unique needs and ecosystem should inform supply chain strategies rather than using a standardized, one-size-fits-all model.

The RSCM framework also suggests that future research should take an interdisciplinary approach, drawing from urban planning, environmental science, and community development to fully leverage the benefits of regenerative practices. Evaluation tools will also be essential when it comes to measuring both the regenerative and sustainability impacts of these supply chain activities.

While construction companies can directly apply the RSCM framework, other industries can adapt the framework development process to reshape their supply chains, ensuring that each phase contributes to environmental restoration and renewal. The principles of focus on place, harmony with place, and co-evolution can guide companies toward achieving more meaningful, long-lasting positive impacts on the environment.

The RSCM framework could also influence regulatory and policy-making frameworks, serving as a foundation for policies that encourage regenerative practices in construction and other sectors. However, challenges like financial constraints, industry resistance, regulatory hurdles, and the need for specialized skills and technologies may hinder adoption. Addressing these obstacles is essential to making the RSCM framework a viable path forward for sustainable development.

Conclusion

Overall, the researchers underscored the need for a significant shift from traditional GSCM practices to RSCM approaches to achieve true sustainability.

However, while the study provides valuable groundwork, it also has limitations. It primarily focused on implementing regenerative practices during the main stages of construction supply chain management, leaving out the monitoring and control stage, which is crucial for tracking progress, adapting to changes, and ensuring the framework’s effectiveness. Additionally, the proposed RSCM framework is conceptual and has yet to be tested in real-world applications. Further research is essential to evaluate its practical impact and determine its adaptability across different settings.

In conclusion, the RSCM framework offers a promising direction for sustainable development in construction. Realizing this potential will require rigorous testing and adaptation, but the framework sets a strong foundation for a regenerative future in supply chain management.

Journal Reference

Oyefusi, O. N., Enegbuma, W. I., Brown, A., & Zari, M. P. (2024). From green to regenerative supply chain management in construction: Towards a conceptual framework. Environmental Development, 52, 101097. DOI: 10.1016/j.envdev.2024.101097, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211464524001350

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