The Climate Change Strategy identified the need to 'develop a Sustainable Procurement Framework and ensure environmental and social sustainability is embedded within our contracting and procurement activities'.
To achieve our 'Net Zero by 2032 or sooner' target, we need to adopt this way of thinking in our day-to-day work.
Why sustainable procurement is important
Every year we spend £450 million on goods (from workwear to PCs) and services (from health and social care to waste management contracts) all of which has associated carbon emissions.
The types of products we buy, the quantity, as well as where and who we buy them from, will all influence the amount of energy used to create and transport them to our place of work. The materials that products are made from will affect how they are disposed of. The more energy used in making, transporting, using and disposing of the product, the more carbon dioxide (and other greenhouse gases) is emitted into the atmosphere.
Equally, our supply chain and contractors must have a strong focus on people, the environment, and ethics within their business.
What we're doing
Our sustainable procurement policy sets out how we will achieve value for money and deliver environmental, social, and economic benefits through procurement and commissioning of goods, works, services and utilities whilst complying with Public Contract Regulations.
We are piloting the use of the Social Value Portal with several contracts from different departments. The aim of the Social Value Portal is to achieve added value from a contract over and above that being delivered through the contractual requirement:
- looking at ways to increase sustainability in our procurements and contracts:
- use of sustainable standards for goods
- quality questions targeted at specific areas of sustainability (for example carbon emission)
- key performance indicators (KPIs) and reporting to monitor suppliers
What you can do - top tips
Aim to reduce or consolidate the frequency of deliveries to reduce the carbon emissions from transport, and double-check the correct delivery address is supplied to avoid wasted journeys.
Purchase supplies only when necessary and identify ways to minimise the volume of materials consumed.
Use recycled and recyclable goods and materials where possible.
When obtaining quotes, can you source locally?
Market research - are there more sustainable goods and services?
Ask your suppliers what they are doing to reduce their emissions. Feed back good practice, email climate.change@derbyshire.gov.uk
Book Climate Change - Everybody's Business training to increase your understanding of climate change and its implications.
What managers can do
Ensure appropriate environmental legal requirements and considerations are included in all contracts, for example waste disposal.
Familiarise yourself and relevant members of your team with the sustainable procurement policy.
Lead by example and book Climate Change - Everybody's Business training.