Episode 14 | The Catalyst Series: Bridging the Gap Between Sustainability and Logistics Teams
Episode 14: The Catalyst Series | Bridging the Gap Between Sustainability and Logistics Teams
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“Sustainability leads are the conductors—but they can’t conduct if they don’t understand how logistics works.”
That quote captures the heart of the very first episode of The Catalyst Series — a new segment within the Smart Freight Conversations podcast by Smart Freight Centre.
In this debut episode, we’re joined by Kelly Hobson, Managing Director of Shape Tomorrow and founder of Sustainable Logistics Live, for an eye-opening discussion about bridging the divide between sustainability and logistics professionals.
Key Takeaways from the Episode:
In this debut episode, we’re joined by Kelly Hobson, Managing Director of Shape Tomorrow and founder of Sustainable Logistics Live, for an eye-opening discussion about bridging the divide between sustainability and logistics professionals.
Key Takeaways from the Episode:
1. A Communication Breakdown
Many sustainability professionals lack the logistics knowledge needed to confidently engage with supply chain teams. At the same time, logistics professionals may not feel included in strategic sustainability conversations, leaving a key part of the organization out of decarbonization efforts.
2. Conductors, Not Soloists
Sustainability professionals don’t need to be logistics experts, but they must understand enough to lead cross-functional collaboration and unlock shared opportunities.
3. The Risk of Silos
Leaving logistics out of the sustainability strategy leads to missed opportunities, unleveraged data, and isolated decision-making. Carbon reduction is a team sport, and everyone needs to be on the same page.
4. Bridging the Gap
Logistics teams should invite sustainability leads into vendor conversations.
Sustainability leads should help embed decarbonization KPIs into logistics reporting.
Both sides must overcome the "curse of knowledge" and take the time to translate their priorities into a shared language.
5. The Power of Communities
Kelly highlights the impact of initiatives like Sustainable Logistics Live and the One Green Ask campaign—platforms that bring together logistics, procurement, and sustainability professionals to learn, collaborate, and drive tangible action.
What You Can Do This Week:
Start with one green ask—a small, focused action like introducing decarbonization education into your logistics team or initiating a joint meeting between logistics and sustainability leads. Every small change adds up.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day—but every brick counted.”
Cross-functional collaboration is the foundation for lasting, scalable freight decarbonization. Let's lay those bricks together.
Learn more about Shape Tomorrow.
Want to accelerate your freight decarbonization journey? Enroll in our courses below:
Learn more about Shape Tomorrow.
Want to accelerate your freight decarbonization journey? Enroll in our courses below: