On the 18th March 2021 SPL co-hosted, with Mervyn Jones of Sustainable Global Resources, Zero Waste Scotland and BITC a webinar considering the importance of making informed decisions regarding the procurement of ICT devices. This includes: do you really need to buy/ can you refresh and update instead, with a great example from Glasgow Kelvin College of the economic and environmental savings made. The session was very well attended with some good questions and excellent examples also from the City of Malmo, Re-tek and Rijkswaterstaat.

SPL is working with the Local Government Association on developing a toolkit to help Councils address the Climate Emergency, support the transition to a Circular Economy and enable social value through commissioning, procurement and contract management.
This has involved consultation with many Councils and other bodies through national and regional networks and directly. It is also been presented at the Local Government Procurement Expo on 10th March 2021.

SPL is delighted to have worked with Scottish Government and public sector partners (APUC, NHSS, Scotland Excel and others) to develop the Climate Literacy for Procurers e-learning module.
The eLearning comprises of 3 modules: The Climate Challenge; Responding to the Challenge; and Taking Action.
It is one of the outputs from the Climate and Procurement Forum, People and Capability workstream and helps buyers understand their role in helping to address the Climate Emergency.
​See the Scottish Government blog here.
This represents some of the work we are doing on supporting commissioners and buyers mobilise the power of procurement to make meaningful inroads into Climate goals.

Drax has announced a target to boost social mobility for one million people by 2025, as part of its Opportunity Action Plan developed in partnership with the Social Mobility Pledge.
With the aim of improving skills, education, employability and opportunity this is an example of the transition to low carbon jobs and skills. As well as being essential to enable Net Zero targets to be met it provides a significant opportunity to offset jobs lost in the pandemic.
Procuring organisations have a significant role of course in enabling such opportunities, whether that is through the Social Value or Community Benefits agenda or a specific focus on Climate and Procurement. Collaboration within and between public and private sector buyers and suppliers is increasingly important if these opportunities are to be realised, including those from innovative solutions.  

SPL are supporting clients develop their approach to ‘Climate Change and Procurement’, enabling practical measures to support the transition to net zero.
Understanding why this is critical, what net zero means and the consequences of doing nothing is vital.
 
The EU Climate Action video highlights the changes already taking place in the climate and the stark reality facing Europe if we do nothing. It also emphasises what is possible if we keep temperature rise below 2 degrees C.

Direct risks facing procurement and supply are substantial; let alone the moral and economic imperative of taking action. We know what to do, but we need to do it now.

Are you geared up to help the NHS reach net zero emissions in its wider supply chain by 2045?
 
The NHS ambitions set out this week are very welcome - they will need hard work by those within the NHS and its supply chain. New technology, yes – but also new ways of thinking and doing  – it’s not about doing what you have always done but considering optimum alternatives, as well as looking forward. There are many climate health risks this goal seeks to manage but it also presents represents opportunities for proactive and forward thinking businesses, large or small.

Sustainable Procurement Limited are pleased to share that Director Philip Duddell will be contributing to Procurex Live this year with a session on building capability to mobilise procurement in the transition to net zero emissions.
​Sign up to the online event here.

Yet another reason to be proud of our NHS. The UK NHS is the world's first national health service to commit to working to achieve 'Carbon Net Zero'. The commitment has been made in response to the growing evidence of the health impacts of climate change and air pollution. 
Read more here.

The law would prohibit larger UK operating businesses from using products grown on land that was deforested illegally, and impose fines if due diligence on supply chains had not been carried out, including the publishing of the source and legality of key commodities.

Read more here...