Integrating environmental sustainability into supply chain management

: in the case of Enpal

Abstract

This dissertation aims to challenge traditional business practises by focusing on a company's core business operations rather than the products or services it offers. It focuses on how supply chain management in the renewable energy sector can incorporate environmental sustainability principles. For this purpose, qualitative research was undertaken, utilizing a specific company’s case as an illustrative example. The renewable energy company Enpal was chosen, as it was subject to the challenges of restructuring its business operations to strengthen its overall corporate responsibility. To analyse how the organization has already adopted and will adopt these strategies, concepts like Green Supply Chain Management and Circular Economy are used. The findings suggest that Enpal, as a solar energy company, utilises and aims to further explore multidimensional approaches of sustainable supply chain strategies that are aligned with the underlying idea of the discussed theoretical frameworks. Further, it demonstrates promising opportunities for operational implementation emerging within the renewable energy sector. Due to its intense growth and attention, solar energy companies, like Enpal, need to prove that they are bringing about real change, not just symbolic actions. This study contributes to the academic literature in this field by addressing how renewable energy companies can push the boundaries in terms of creating operational sustainability in order to become a truly sustainable company. In practical terms, leaders of renewable energy companies that are struggling to incorporate environmental sustainability into their fundamental business processes can benefit from the knowledge and strategies this research offers.

Date of Award	26 Jan 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Nuno Moreira da Cruz (Supervisor)