Transforming Humanitarian Supply Chains Through Green Practices: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: This systematic review explores the integration of green practices into humanitarian supply chains to mitigate environmental impacts and contribute to global decarbonization efforts. Methods: This review focused on peer-reviewed articles published between 2011 and 2024 that addressed the environmental dimension of humanitarian logistics. Studies were included if they examined environmental practices within humanitarian supply chains and excluded if they lacked focus on environmental impact or logistics. A comprehensive search of the Scopus database in April 2024 yielded 291 records, of which 51 studies met the inclusion criteria. A thematic synthesis was conducted; due to the qualitative nature of the data, no formal risk-of-bias assessment was conducted. Results: The analysis revealed increasing adoption of environmentally focused practices, such as emissions monitoring, waste reduction, and resource-efficient transportation. Key barriers included operational complexity, inadequate digital infrastructure, and the absence of standardized environmental frameworks. The review identified digital innovation, inter-organizational collaboration, and integrated environmental performance metrics as promising pathways for improvement. Despite growing awareness, significant gaps remain in the standardization and measurement of environmental performance across humanitarian supply chains. Conclusions: The findings highlight the need for further research and coordinated efforts to develop consistent, scalable green practices in the humanitarian context.