Winners announced for global sustainable supply chain competition

Participants from China and the United States recently secured multiple awards at the second Global Sustainable Supply Chain Student Competition. Global winners and faculty will attend an award ceremony on March 20 in Geneva, Switzerland.

The competition, held from September to December 2024, attracted university students from 20 countries and regions. Of the 84 participating teams, 20 advanced to the finals following three rounds of double-blind reviews by experts from the World Bank, United Nations agencies, and multinational corporations. Awards were given for Best Sustainable Overall, Paired Team, and regional categories covering the Americas, Africa-Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Europe.

The event, co-organized by the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), the Global Supply Chain Classroom, and the International Center for Transport Diplomacy, is supported by the United Nations Group of Friends of Sustainable Transport. It has been featured during major UN events, including the Sustainable Transport Day and Sustainability Week.

Global supply chains account for approximately 60 percent of carbon emissions, according to a UN report. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has emphasized the need for action, stating, "Decarbonizing global supply chains is one of the most effective ways to combat climate change."

This competition provides students a platform to develop practical solutions to sustainability challenges. Esteemed experts, including Professor Liu Dacheng of Tsinghua University and Professor Martin Dresner of the University of Maryland, co-initiated the event to foster innovation among youth.

"Young people must use their imagination and innovative approaches to address global environmental challenges," Liu said. Dresner added, "Improving supply chain sustainability is a critical challenge for companies worldwide."

As China and the US account for nearly 40 percent of global carbon emissions, the competition underscores the need for collaboration between developed and developing nations. Organizers highlighted the potential for Chinese and American youth to reshape relations by prioritizing sustainability and global well-being.

Tsinghua University's teams earned top accolades in 2024, including gold in the Asia-Pacific region and silver globally. Other Chinese institutions, such as Tongji University and Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, also achieved notable success.

The competition received sponsorship from TWTH Express Co, which established an award to support winners' participation in the Geneva ceremony and further study of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). TWTH also partnered with universities to create a global youth career development program in sustainable supply chain management.

"At Tuowei Tianhai, we believe sustainable development and education are cornerstones of thriving global supply chains," said TWTH founder Xie Shengwei.