Supply Chain Decarbonization
A four-week course on strategies to measure and reduce carbon emissions and enhance the resilience of complex supply chains in collaboration with stakeholders.
Created by —
Janice Lao
Co-Founder, Project Eleven 
and 3X Head of Sustainability
Intermediate level
A background in supply chain, procurement, or business operations is useful, but not mandatory
Flexible schedule
Learn according to your schedule with fully asynchronous learning
4 weeks / 4 hours per week
Expected commitment. We will help keep yourself accountable with timely check-ins
Certificate & Office-hours
NewCertificate and office-hour meetings with course creator and other learners
Course overview
Supply chains are responsible for approximately 60% of global carbon emissions and are a significant lever for climate action in companies. This course draws from two decades of course creator Janice Lao’s experience leading sustainability efforts in multinational corporations. It starts by breaking down the main drivers of supply chain emissions and then teaches techniques to drive meaningful reductions within them while also making your supply chain more resilient.
You’ll learn how to rapidly assess the climate impact of complex supply chains, apply sustainable procurement practices to your supply chain, and develop a climate impact mitigation plan. We’ll also cover the crucial last mile of constructively engaging your supplier stakeholders to address concerns, generating buy-in, and actually implementing these sustainable practices.
Skills you will learn
Life cycle analysis (LCA)
Assess and measure the carbon and environmental footprint of supply chain operations
Make your supply chains climate-resilient
From mapping and risk assessment to target setting and decarbonization planning
Implement sustainable procurement practices
Sourcing policies that minimize carbon emissions, reduce environmental impact, and boost social benefits
Engage cooperatively with stakeholders
Supplier (especially factory owner) communication techniques to develop a shared language, build trust with transparency, and align incentives
Who is this course for?
Supply chain and procurement professionals
Reduce carbon emissions and climate externalities of supply chains
Sustainability professionals
Align critical supply chains with your organization’s climate goals
Strategy professionals
Incorporate climate considerations of supply chains into overall business strategy
Environmental consultants
Develop sustainable supply chain management strategies for your clients
Course syllabus
Overview: Supply chain to value chain
United Nations Global Compact: Supply Chain Sustainability, CDP: Changing the Supply Chain, NREL Life Cycle Assessment
CDP: Engaging the Chain
Understanding stakeholder engagement: What’s in it for your suppliers?
Climate impact assessment within supply chains
Recommendations of the Task Force on Climate Disclosures (TFCD) sections B and D. Learn to build climate footprint and impact assessment for your supply chain.
Sustainable procurement guidelines
Learn about European Patent Office: Sustainable Procurement Policy, World Bank Sustainable Procurement Guidelines.
Understanding the Climate Impact of Supply Chains
Break down the surprising hidden impact of supply chains (~60% of emissions!)
You won't learn alone
Join monthly live office hours with the course creator and fellow learners.
- Ask your questions live
- Get direct feedback from the instructor
- Connect with peers taking the course with you
- Learn from others' questions
- Get access to the recording if you miss it
- Keep lifetime access
What you get with with this course
Free office-hours
Join monthly live sessions with the course creator and peers taking the same course.
Global community
Join our global community of 5k+ professionals from 80+ countries with 200+ expert mentors
Live events & workshops
Attend immersive events and practical workshops with top climate voices and peers
15% off other courses
As a learner, you get 15% off for all other courses on Terra.do. Including our cohort-based courses.
AI-assisted learningBeta
Cutting-edge AI-assisted learning experience with personilzed pathways and more.
What learners say about this course
Claire Potter
"I greatly enjoyed taking the Supply Chain Decarbonization course with Janice Lao, who was personable and welcoming. The course provided a holistic industry understanding and actionable items for continued learning. It catered well to both beginners and experienced participants, with thoughtful assignments reinforcing key concepts and strategies."
Consultant Non Profit @ PROJXON l Net Impact President (United States)
Patricia Diaz Eseverri
"Thrilled to announce that I've successfully completed my certificate in Supply Chain Decarbonization by Terra.do with amazing professor Dr. Janice Lao! 🌍💼 Excited to leverage this knowledge to advance my career in sustainability."
Assistant Manager | Sales and Marketing @ Cindu USA
Aasifa Sheikh
"This course wasn't just about acquiring knowledge—it was about building essential skills for the evolving landscape of sustainable supply chain management. From delving into CDP Reports to meticulously mapping out stakeholders and conducting rapid risk assessments, each module and assignment has been a step towards honing practical expertise"
Sustainability Analyst @ Eco-Stylist (Canada)
Meet the course creator
Janice Lao
Co-Founder, Project Eleven 
and 3X Head of Sustainability
Janice Lao is an internationally awarded environmental scientist and economist working in the field of corporate sustainability for 20 years. In the past decade, she has led the sustainability agenda for multinational companies worldwide such as Peninsula Hotels, MTR Corporation, Cathay Pacific, Swire Group, and Helen of Troy, in industries spanning conglomerates, real estate, hospitality, transport, and consumer goods. She has extensive knowledge and deep practical experience working with supply chains globally on sustainability and climate programs, having worked in China, Australia, UK and US. At the age of 30, she developed the initial mathematical and economic modelling that was the basis for international aviation’s climate change strategy. She also originated and led industry-first sustainable financial deals (green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, M&A). She was named in Forbes Magazine in 2018 as one of the world’s most influential female sustainability leaders and by Greenbiz in 2019 as one of the most influential women working in climate change. She graduated from the University of Oxford and is completing her Ph.D. at Prescott College on governance practices in corporate sustainability.
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Take this course
Supply Chain Decarbonization
One-time purchase. Lifetime access. Free live office hours.
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