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HomeAgrotechTCI, IIM Bangalore jointly launches the TCI-IIMB Supply Chain Sustainability Lab

TCI, IIM Bangalore jointly launches the TCI-IIMB Supply Chain Sustainability Lab

source- public domain

 Lab plans to conduct research in areas such as decarbonisation, circular economy and sustainable procurement.

India’s leading integrated multimodal logistics and supply chain solutions provider, Transport Corporation of India Ltd. (TCI Group), in collaboration with Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), launched a new sustainability lab at the IIMB campus on April 28 with a focus on supply chain management. The TCI-IIMB Supply Chain Sustainability Lab (TCI-IIMB SCSL) will be a one-of-its-kind centre of excellence in sustainable supply chain practices, dissemination and advocacy.

The TCI-IIMB Supply Chain Sustainability Lab plans to conduct research in areas such as decarbonisation, circular economy and sustainable procurement, and publish white papers on sustainable supply chain management topics. It will also offer consulting services on carbon-related mapping, measurement, mitigation and management. Moreover, it targets to provide certification and assessment services, such as supplier sustainability assessment. It has already initiated research projects, white papers and case studies, and is partnering with other organisations such as WRI India, Herbal Life, etc.

This new lab is a testament of IIMB’s commitment to academic excellence, research and innovation in the areas of sustainability and supply chain. It will be a vital resource for the academic community and the wider business fraternity.

The lab was inaugurated by renowned Indian cardiac surgeon Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, Chairman and Executive Director of Narayana Health and Chairperson, Board of Governors, IIMB, along with DP Agarwal, Chairman of Transport Corporation of India.

Dr Devi Shetty pointed out that Supply Chain is an important foundation on which the development of nations depends. “Our government has made several regulatory changes addressing many hurdles in this domain. However, two issues remain – sustainability – in terms of pollution control and efficiency – in terms of digitalization, are two key areas that need to be addressed. A lab like the TCI-IIMB Supply Chain Sustainability Lab will fill this gap and come up with brilliant solutions for these issues, while also contributing to bringing down diseases caused by pollution and reducing costs.”

DP Agarwal unveiled the logo and stated that the lab is aligned to IIMB’s ethos of sustainability in fostering excellence in management, innovation and entrepreneurship. “In a structured and professional way, the lab will help foster green practices, which will deliver positive outcomes.”

Prof. Rishikesha T Krishnan, Director, IIM Bangalore spoke about the objective of setting up such a lab at the institute. “IIMB’s Supply Chain Management Centre has close interaction with the industry, which also results in various live projects for our students as well. In today’s globalized world, the impact of sustainability and digitalization on supply chains is part of business strategy. As we move into two new areas – impact of digitalization on supply chains, and bringing in sustainability into all aspects of supply chains, a lab like this has special significance.”

The inauguration also saw Vineet Agarwal, Managing Director of TCI Group, launching the beta version of a GHG Measurement Tool. This tool named TEMT has a multi-lingual interface, enabling the grassroots level adoption by India’s logistics and supply chain ecosystem. It covers all modes of transportation, that is, road, rail, air and sea.

In his address, Vineet Agarwal spoke in detail about the Transportation Emission Measurement Tool. “You cannot improve unless you measure. Investors, customers, and regulators all want us to measure, monitor and mitigate emissions. As a nation and business community in India, we encountered two challenges in mitigating emissions from transportation: the lack of proper transportation emission factors and a tool to measure such emissions. There was no ready reference. This tool will address both the issues. We believe that this lab will build a community of problem solvers, by combining research with industry expertise, helping us address the challenges in a clean and green way.”

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