Supply Chain Digital Magazine April 2023 | Page 85

SUSTAINABILITY
Graph technology is a network-based mathematical theory predicated on the properties and real-world applications of graphs . As such , Neo4j is helping many organisations use graph technology to model complex carbon footprint data to help them meet Scope 3 requirements . “ Scope 3 requirements are hard to monitor as they involve factors outside a company ’ s direct control or oversight ,” says Dr Moore . “ But it ’ s the environmental factor most visible to consumers ; it ’ s therefore important organisations get it right .”
Data mass around Scope 3 can be overwhelming for businesses Dr Moore says unifying the welter of data that exists around Scope 3 is a “ huge challenge ”.
“ There ’ s data from so many inputs – from workshops in China and India to shipping the parts down the Suez Canal , to couriers biking finished products or components . It ’ s a huge undertaking .
“ Deriving reliable , auditable insights about emissions from billions of connected interactions along the supply chains is next

“ Using our graph modelling , a global maritime shipping company has reduced carbon emissions by 60,000 tonnes , annually ”

DR MICHAEL MOORE , PARTNER SOLUTIONS & TECHNOLOGY PRINCIPAL , NEO4J

FOR MOST ORGANISATIONS SCOPE 3 EMISSIONS

COMPRISE

80 %

OF THEIR ENTIRE

EMISSIONS

to impossible using traditional SQL-based relational database management systems .
“ Graph-based digital twins can capture and analyse data in a way that can be scaled easily . Done right , they can be as extensive and detailed as the reality they aim to capture .”
Dr Moore goes on to say that graph-based digital twin technology is “ the only feasible way of modelling huge , real-world and realtime systems to gain visibility into carbon emissions across extended supply chains ”.
Furthermore , he says graphs provide a way of representing reality in terms of nodes and the connections , or relationships , between them
“ They provide a real-time , digital view of the logistics network , supply chain , production centre , manufacturing line , or business process they represent ,” he says . “ In a graph database , the relationships between data points are stored in-memory and on disk , creating connected data that can be queried with millisecond response times .” supplychaindigital . com 85