Abstract for: Supply Chain Management in Response to Climate Change

Companies are increasingly concerned about decarbonizing their supply chains to mitigate climate-related risks. Yet, their responses vary widely, are implemented in silos, and may not fit a cohesive decarbonization strategy. This research analyzes voluntary disclosures from 1,095 European firms to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) in 2021. Through qualitative thematic coding, we identify six macro-themes, outlining causal pathways for supply chain decarbonization: (i) diagnosing climate risks, (ii) collaborating for emission reduction, (iii) adopting energy-efficient and (iv) sustainable practices, (v) nurturing sustainable behaviors, and (vi) redesigning supply networks. These pathways are integrated into a stylized causal loop diagram to illustrate the interconnected responses to climate risks and their collective impact on supply chain decarbonization. The study contributes to sustainable supply chain management literature by demonstrating how different strategies for responding to climate risks interact, emphasizing the role of collaboration in fostering continuous innovation. Managers and policymakers can use the resulting CLD to better understand the implications of their strategies on sustainability goals