Measuring carbon footprints across the supply chain

Understanding the importance of green supply chain in modern business environment, this research examines the heat flux and carbon wastages across the supply chain. The study has identified some of the heat and carbon influencing drivers as follows: (i) Mode of Transport, (ii) Inventory Policy, (iii) Network Structure, (iv) Trade Policy, (v) Consumer Density, (vi) Traffic Congestion, and (viii) Technology in Use. The research proposes a mathematical model to measure the carbon footprint across the supply chain by using Lagrangian Transport Method. For ease of visualization, “Heat Links” are developed and these links are normalized by a three-tier color coded temperature state. In short, the heat links are represented in three different forms as green (acceptable carbon emissions), amber (borderline carbon emissions) and red (non-green/ unacceptable carbon emissions) across supply chain network. Through our initial analysis, the research offers some operational and tactical strategies to mitigate the carbon emissions across the supply chain. The research is useful to policy makers as it can offer suggestions to areas pertaining to environmental economic tradeoffs.