Services - Supply chain & procurement

Overview

Sustainable procurement is an approach to buying products and services that takes into account the economic, environmental and social impacts of what you buy. It is about supporting action on climate change and resource depletion, reducing the environmental and social impacts of activities and benefitting the communities in which you work, through providing employment opportunities and stimulating the local economy.

Sustainable procurement also means looking at the impacts of the product or service on the environment and society over its entire lifecycle from creation to disposal. Sustainable procurement must not only recognise the impact of the product or service but also the social and ethical behaviour of the companies providing that product or service.

We have worked with organisations in the public and private sectors to develop procurement policies and strategies, supported staff in developing and operating sustainable procurement approaches and produced guidance on specific environmental and social issues that arise within individual products and service areas.

Products & services

Procurement strategy and policy development

By establishing the context and structure for your approach to sustainable procurement we can develop procurement strategies and policies to align with your existing procurement approach, focussing upon areas providing significant sources of risk and opportunity.

Staff development

We can train your procurement staff in the theory and practice of sustainable procurement using simple tools and approaches to build their confidence and capacity.

Procurement guidance

The procurement of goods and services can give rise to a range of social and environmental issues. We can develop guidance for procurement staff and suppliers to help them to deliver against your procurement objectives, providing information on the issues that arise from different commodity groups, guidance on labels and practice to look for and specify and assist in the integration of sustainability principles into your procurement practice and processes.

Supplier awareness and development

We can work with your key suppliers to build their awareness of your needs and support your objectives and build their capacity to supply goods and services with improved environmental and social performance.

Experience

Norwich Union (now Aviva UK) strategic procurement training

We provided training and support to Norwich Union strategic purchasing staff on the principles and practice of sustainable procurement.

EAUC Poverty Aware Procurement on Campus

Working with ESD Consulting Ltd for the Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges, we developed a range of guidance and information materials to build understanding of poverty issues within the supply chain. The project also included a range of creative communication materials and simple, practical advice. See more >>

Covanta Energy, UK Procurement Strategy and Policy

Working with the UK section of one of the world's biggest waste and energy management firms, we (with ESD Consulting) developed Covanta UK's sustainable procurement strategy and policy to support their intent to deliver local and global sustainability benefits through procurement activities.