**9. Conclusion**

It is axiomatic that supply chains are not only essential to the twenty-first century way of life but that they have a major influence on the environment and therefore on their own sustainability and that of our planet. It is also apparent that most people that have the luxury of being able to think about it, would like to minimise and ideally reverse their impact. Unfortunately, 'thinking' and 'doing' are often worlds apart from each other and reality.

Even if one accepts people's good intentions, it is apparent from this chapter that, confusion reigns. So many things influence sustainability through supply chains, that it is difficult to know where to start, but some things are very clear:


This chapter has shown that 4IR technologies offer an unprecedented, if confusing, wealth of data and visibility with which to manage our supply chains so that, if we desire, they can become sustainable both environmentally and commercially. Importantly, that opportunity is only meaningful if the right policies, as well as leadership, exist and that global supply chains should be made more honest and open to scrutiny. Above all, environmental sustainability can only be achieved if, at all levels, from corporate down to personal, we put the planet before people and people before profit – in other words, we all aspire to use 4IR technology to become 'global citizens'.
