There are sound economic and environmental reasons for commercial truck fleets to consider natural gas as an alternative to diesel fuel, says Patti Murdock, president and founder of Clean Logistics Consulting. Higher equipment costs and a still developing infrastructure, however, mean that it is not right for all situations.

Even in the age of recycling, forward and reverse supply chains have tended to be treated as separate disciplines. Now the world's largest retailer is partnering with major consumer goods manufacturers to help erase that distinction.

From improved efficiency to more advanced fabrication possibilities, specialized 3-D printing sub-sectors are emerging that cater to an array of enterprise buyers with money to inject into the field. Machines can now produce materials with potential health applications, such as human cartilage, plus batteries, LEDs and motor components. But what is the environmental impact of 3-D printing?

Nik Delmeire, the newly appointed secretary general of the European Shippers' Council (ESC), has said it is time for businesses to measure, monitor and reduce emissions by freight transport. At the same time, the new European Commission should reduce existing trade barriers in the European Union. "Together these innovations can spur economic growth and create jobs," says Delmeire.

The Carbon Trust is developing a new certification for organizations seeking to reduce carbon emissions across their supply chains.

Managing carbon emissions in your supply chain is a constant challenge. You may have control over your own facilities and operations, but it's hard to influence the sustainability practices of third-party carriers and 3PLs. Your request for proposal (RFP) process provides a powerful (and frequently untapped) lever. By including language about registering with EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership, you can use your RFPs to encourage truck, rail, logis-tics, and multimodal carriers to participate in SmartWay and help you quantify your supply chain’s carbon footprint at the same time.

The Carbon Trust, which promotes a sustainable, low-carbon environment, is developing a certification for organisations taking effective action on carbon emissions across their supply chains. The Trust is looking to work with a number of organisations across different sectors in an initial pilot phase running through to early 2015.

"Don't 'greenwash' because you will be caught out," is the message from IKEA UK's environment and sustainable development manager Charlie Browne.

Ryder System has partnered with Anheuser-Busch to replace the beer company's 66 diesel tractor fleet in Houston with compressed natural gas-powered engines.