The term "sustainable procurement" refers to the process of procuring goods and services in a way that minimizes negative environmental and social impacts, and maximizes positive impacts. Sustainable procurement includes consideration of the full life cycle of the goods and services being procured, from raw materials extraction to end-of-life disposal.
Sustainable procurement is a key part of corporate sustainability strategies, as it can help organizations reduce their environmental footprint and improve their social and environmental performance. Many organizations have adopted sustainable procurement policies and procedures, and are working to integrate sustainability into their procurement practices.
How can procurement be sustainable?
There are many ways to make procurement sustainable, but one of the most important things to do is to ensure that the products and services procured are themselves sustainable. This means considering the full life cycle of the product or service, from its raw materials and manufacturing process, to its use and eventual disposal.
When possible, procuring sustainable products and services can help reduce the environmental impact of the procurement process itself. For example, products made from recycled materials or that can be recycled at the end of their life are more sustainable than those that cannot be recycled. Similarly, services that reduce waste or use renewable energy are more sustainable than those that do not.
In addition to considering the sustainability of the products and services procured, it is also important to consider the sustainability of the suppliers themselves. This means ensuring that the suppliers are using sustainable practices in their own operations, and that they are not engaged in activities that could have a negative impact on the environment or on social and economic development.
There are a number of ways to assess the sustainability of suppliers, including through environmental and social audits, and by considering their compliance with sustainability standards such as the ISO 14001 environmental management standard or the SA8000 social accountability standard.
When procuring sustainable products and services from sustainable suppliers, it is important to consider the total cost of ownership of the product or service. This includes not only the initial purchase price, but also the costs of operating and maintaining the product or service over its
What are the key elements of sustainable procurement?
The key elements of sustainable procurement are:
1. Understanding the organisation's strategic objectives and how procurement can contribute to achieving these;
2. Assessing the environmental and social impacts of the goods and services to be procured;
3. Defining sustainable procurement criteria and communicating these to suppliers;
4. Incorporating sustainability considerations into the procurement process;
5. Tracking and reporting on progress towards meeting sustainable procurement objectives.
What is the difference between procurement and sustainable procurement? There is a big difference between procurement and sustainable procurement. Procurement is the process of acquiring goods or services from an external source, while sustainable procurement takes into account the environmental and social impacts of the goods or services being procured. In other words, sustainable procurement is a more responsible and environmentally friendly way of procuring goods or services.
What are the benefits of sustainable procurement?
There are many benefits of sustainable procurement, but some of the most important ones include reducing environmental impact, supporting the local economy, and improving social and environmental conditions.
Reducing environmental impact is one of the most important benefits of sustainable procurement. By sourcing products and materials from environmentally friendly suppliers, businesses can help to reduce their environmental footprint. This can be achieved by reducing energy consumption, water use, and waste generation.
Supporting the local economy is another key benefit of sustainable procurement. By sourcing products and services from local suppliers, businesses can help to create jobs and boost the local economy. This can have a positive impact on the community and the environment.
Improving social and environmental conditions is another benefit of sustainable procurement. By sourcing products and services from suppliers that have good social and environmental practices, businesses can help to improve conditions for workers, communities, and the environment. This can include reducing child labor, improving working conditions, and protecting the environment.