Annual reporting from BSR's Clean Cargo Working Group indicates that average CO2 emissions per container per kilometer for global ocean transportation routes have declined by 8.4 percent from 2013 to 2014 and by more than 29 percent since 2009.

Many companies claim to have effective programs in place for dealing with supply-chain disruptions. Now they have a chance to prove it.

Fran O'Sullivan, general manager of systems, strategy and operations, argues the importance of having a sound strategy in place, to guide companies in their pursuit of excellence. But it's equally important to measure the success of that effort, she says.

Many European companies are working hard to solve their "captive cash" problem, improve their cash-to-cash cycle, and manage their financial and supply chain risk across complex markets and supplier agreements. But the two primary approaches they take - supply chain finance and working capital reduction - result in very different supply chain outcomes.

A Singapore-based scientist has urged the nation to implement an emission control area (ECA) to combat rising pollution.