International Journal of Supply and Operations Management

International Journal of Supply and Operations Management

A Systems‑Based Framework for Deep Decarbonization in Closed‑Loop Wind Energy Supply Chains

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
1 Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
2 School of Business, Innovation and Sustainability, Halmstad University, 301 18 Halmstad, Sweden
10.22034/ijsom.2026.111038.3575
Abstract
Objective: The transition toward low‑carbon energy systems requires supply chains that support deep decarbonization while maintaining economic and operational performance. This study aims to identify and evaluate key deep decarbonization indicators in a sustainable closed‑loop supply chain for wind energy logistics and to determine the most suitable supplier/location alternative.
Methods: A hybrid decision‑making framework is developed by integrating Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH) with the Combined Compromise Solution (CoCoSo) and Fuzzy CoCoSo methods. CSH is employed to structure the problem context and identify relevant stakeholders and sustainability indicators. Based on expert evaluations from a panel of 16 specialists, the identified criteria are used within the CoCoSo and Fuzzy CoCoSo models to rank potential alternatives. A sensitivity analysis is further conducted to examine the robustness of the obtained rankings.
Results: The results indicate that the selected criteria, covering economic, environmental, and social sustainability as well as reverse logistics considerations, significantly influence supplier selection in a closed‑loop wind energy supply chain. The analysis shows that the Isfahan alternative achieves the highest ranking in both the CoCoSo and Fuzzy CoCoSo models. Sensitivity analysis under different weight perturbations confirms the stability and reliability of the ranking outcomes.
Conclusion: This study contributes to the literature by combining systems thinking with multi‑criteria decision‑making techniques to assess deep decarbonization indicators in a closed‑loop wind energy supply chain. The integration of CSH with CoCoSo and Fuzzy CoCoSo offers a novel and comprehensive approach for addressing sustainability challenges in renewable energy logistics.
Keywords
Subjects

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 02 October 2026