In a recent decision affecting ocean freight operators, the International Maritime Organization's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) adopted amendments to the MARPOL Convention to set a date for the implementation of "Tier III" standards within emission control areas (ECAs) and to make the IMO Member State Audit Scheme mandatory.

EcoVadis and BSR's Clean Cargo Working Group (CCWG) have teamed up to standardize environmental reporting requests for the sea freight supply chain.

The Abu Dhabi Ports Company says it will refuse entry to older oil tankers as it continues its endeavor to protect the environment and guarantee safety in all of its ports.

Using cutting-edge pulp molding equipment, researchers at Bangor University have begun a process of heating mixtures of ryegrass to press and mold into prototype fruit and vegetable packaging products.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has decided on a mechanism to reduce carbon emissions from aviation activities, a move that has pleased the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) and the European Liaison Committee of Common Market Forwarders (CLECAT).

Initiatives by such retail giants as Tesco and Walmart and recent research by bodies including the University of Minnesota Institute highlight the impact suppliers within a supply chain have on a company's energy footprint, but research by renewable energy company Urban Wind suggests that policies targeting vendors' energy use are piling pressure on UK suppliers.

Companies that want to reduce their carbon footprint need to pay attention to the energy they use. But at least as important - and in some cases even more so - is paying attention to the energy used by links in their supply chain.

Maersk has announced an investment into biomass research in a bis to reduce its bunker fuel consumption. According to the company, which has an annual fuel bill of $7bn, there has been no prior research into the possibility of using biomass in the shipping industry.

Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline, Del Monte Foods and MGM Resorts are among some 25 companies that have joined an Ecodesk campaign to improve supply chain efficiency and transparency, and make it easier for businesses to measure so-called Scope 3 emissions.