Climate Change Impacts’ Mitigation Strategies in Sustainable Supply Chain Management and Pragmatism of Data Envelopment Analysis and Malmquist Index in its Measurement

Abstract The escalating consequences of climate change have highlighted the urgent necessity of integrating sustainability into supply chain management to mitigate environmental impacts while maintaining economic viability. This review systematically synthesizes the existing literature on mitigation strategies within Sustainable Supply Chain Management (hereafter: SSCM), with a focus on the practicality of analytical application of Data Envelopment Analysis (hereafter: DEA) and the Malmquist Index (hereafter: MI) in assessing eco-efficiency, productivity, and technological progress. Drawing upon an in-depth review of the literature conducted during the preparation of this article in February-March 2025, felicitous and expedient studies published from 1984 to 2024 were reviewed. It identified four principal mitigation pathways: the adoption of green technologies, carbon emission reduction initiatives, resource optimization through circular economy practices, and resilience enhancement against climate-induced disruptions. The integration of knowledge-based, systems, and swift-flow theories provides a robust conceptual foundation for understanding the dynamic and adaptive nature of SSCM. The findings indicate that technological innovation, digital transformation, and stakeholder collaboration are critical enablers of sustainable performance and climate resilience. Furthermore, the study emphasizes methodological advancements through the combined use of DEA and MI in benchmarking performance and tracking sustainability trajectories over time. Despite significant progress, notable gaps remain regarding the standardization of DEA models, the inclusion of social sustainability indicators, and the empirical validation of digitalization impacts. This review contributes to the theoretical and methodological advancement of SSCM by developing an integrative conceptual framework that links climate change impacts, mitigation strategies, and quantitative performance evaluation. The insights derived offer valuable guidance for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers seeking to design resilient, efficient, and environmentally responsible supply chains in an era of climate uncertainty.