Measuring the environmental sustainability performance of the supply chain of BC's utility sector for carbon, sulfur dioxide, and water footprints

This research paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the environmental sustainability performance of the supply chain in British Columbia's utility sector, with a focus on carbon, sulfur dioxide, and water footprints. It utilizes a rigorous methodology, including a literature review, data analysis, and software tools, to offer valuable insights. The study adopts an inputoutput framework and relies on reliable government data sources. The analysis uncovers variations in performance across different indicators, highlighting the electricity sector's relatively lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to other sectors. Notably, the natural gas sector has made progress in mitigating emissions by targeting methane reduction measures. However, challenges in measuring water footprints are identified due to data gaps and inconsistencies. The study also recognizes limitations in its assumptions and the need to incorporate qualitative analysis to complement the quantitative assessment. It acknowledges potential inaccuracies in government data sources and the study's limited scope, which solely focuses on BC's utility sector. Furthermore, the research acknowledges the simplifications inherent in the input-output framework and the absence of future projections or scenarios. To address these limitations and enhance sustainability performance, the paper offers relevant recommendations. These include strengthening renewable energy sources, reducing methane emissions, promoting energy efficiency, supporting low-carbon transportation, fostering collaboration, implementing robust monitoring, and reporting systems, improving data collection, integrating qualitative analysis, considering future projections, enhancing model validity, and expanding the study's scope. By considering these recommendations in future research, this study aims to overcome limitations and provide a more comprehensive assessment of the environmental sustainability performance within BC's utility sector. The findings hold practical implications for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers seeking to drive supply chain sustainability in the utility sector, particularly regarding carbon, sulfur dioxide, and water footprints.