Why sustainable procurement matters — and why our supply chain is key to our success
Why Sustainable Procurement Matters
Our buying decisions shape far more than cost. They influence carbon emissions, resource use, labour practices, community wellbeing, and long‑term resilience. By integrating sustainability into the way we source goods and services, we not only reduce risk but also unlock opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and competitive advantage.
Sustainable procurement helps us:
- Reduce our environmental footprint by choosing suppliers with lower‑carbon products, circular solutions, and responsible practices.
- Strengthen supply chain resilience, supporting suppliers who invest in long-term sustainability and ethical compliance.
- Drive positive social impact through fair labour practices, diversity, inclusion, and community development.
- Enhance reputation and trust, meeting the expectations of our customers, regulators, and colleagues.
Our Supply Chain: A Key Driver of Success
Most of the any organisation’s environmental and social impact typically sits outside its own operations - often 70-90% of total carbon impact is in the supply chain. This means that collaboration with suppliers is essential if we want to achieve meaningful change.
Our success depends on suppliers who:
- Share our sustainability values
- Are committed to transparency and continuous improvement
- Innovate with us to reduce waste, carbon, and resource intensity
- Work proactively on ethical, social, and governance standards
Strong supplier partnerships help us move from compliance‑driven procurement to a value-creating, purpose-led supply chain.
Connecting to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Sustainable procurement directly contributes to several of the United Nations SDGs. Two that resonate strongly with our sustainability strategy include:
- SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
This goal aligns directly with procurement practices that minimise waste, prioritise resource efficiency, and support circular solutions. By working with suppliers who offer recycled content, low-carbon alternatives, and sustainable materials, we reduce our footprint and catalyse industry change.
- SDG 13 – Climate Action
With supply chain emissions making up the bulk of organisational carbon, procurement has enormous influence on climate progress. Selecting suppliers with science-based targets, renewable energy commitments, and low‑carbon products, allows us to significantly reduce Scope 3 emissions.
What’s Next
Sustainable procurement isn’t a one‑off initiative — it’s a journey. Over the coming months, we’ll continue to:
- Strengthen supplier engagement
- Improve transparency and reporting
- Embed environmental and social criteria into sourcing processes
- Support teams and suppliers with tools, training, and guidance
Together, we have a real opportunity to shape a supply chain that is not only efficient and resilient but also ethical, responsible, and future‑ready.