Decarbonization and Sustainable Supply Chains: A Systematic Review of Supplier Engagement, Digital Traceability, and Carbon Governance

Abstract

Decarbonizing supply chains is becoming a coordinated effort for managing emissions beyond organisations' boundaries. This systematic literature review is aimed at analysing the role supplier engagement, digital traceability and carbon governance play in sustainable supply-chain decarbonization. The 25 peer-reviewed journal articles included in this study were selected and analysed based on the PRISMA 2020 guidelines as used in Scopus and Web of Science from 2015 to 2026 using descriptive analysis and thematic synthesis. The results suggested that supplier collaboration, supplier development, carbon targets, incentives and knowledge sharing increased supplier involvement in emissions reduction. Digital traceability and technologies, such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, IoT, big data analytics and digital twins, improved carbon measurement, transparency and data sharing. Carbon governance enhanced accountability via reporting, standards, monitoring, disclosure and compliance mechanisms. However, financial costs, data-quality limitations, interoperability, supplier resistance, digital capability gaps, and regulatory differences constrained implementation. The review suggests a comprehensive solution that brings together supplier relations, electronic traceability and carbon management with emissions reductions and sustainable supply-chain decarbonization. References Ahmed, S., Zaidi, S. S. Z., & Zohaib, S. (2026). Maritime transport transformation and supply chain disruptions: A systematic literature review of challenges and carbon emission reduction strategies. Journal of Business and Management Research, 5(1), 69–87. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18618204 Ahmed, S., Zaidi, S. S. Z., Zohaib, S., & Imran, M. (2026). 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