Companies are aware of the issue, but many still lack detailed programs for tracing and calculating their carbon footprints over the extended supply chain, according to Luka Powanga, executive director of the Global Commerce Forum.

Michael McComb, regional vice president of sales with the Hub Group, says there are multiple benefits - both environmental and financial - to participating in the U.S. EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership program.

Laurel Junk, vice president of supply chain with Kaiser Permanente, details the transformation that's under way in the hospital industry, driven by healthcare reform and a new focus on the ultimate "customer" - the patient.