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Procurement of goods and services contributes 54% of Council's total emissions (via Scope 3 upstream emissions). To achieve net zero by 2035 we need to seriously improve our sustainable procurement policies, procedures and practices.
Procurement of goods and services accounts for over half of Council's total emissions.
In 2019/20, our baseline year for tracking emissions, it was estimated that 54% of Council's emissions were produced from the contracting of goods and services. These emissions are classed as Scope 3 upstream emissions.
We need to actively drive down emissions in this space to decarbonise and reduce our requirements to purchase carbon offsets.
In an ideal world, engaging exclusively with carbon neutral companies would add zero emissions to our emissions profile. We are already working with some carbon neutral companies, such as Ndevr Environmental, the climate consultants who helped develop our Emissions Reduction Plan.
For a full list of carbon neutral companies visit Climate Active.
Council aims to bring suppliers along on the journey and encourage low carbon options. Engaging with suppliers around the importance of our commitment to Net Zero (and other sustainability goals) is required to drive down emissions from procurement.
In October 2021, a Sustainable Procurement Working Group was established at Council to help raise awareness, knowledge and capacity of staff to integrate sustainable procurement principles into our work.
Direct correspondence sent out to each of our valued service and product suppliers, to inform them that we are increasing our commitment to sustainable procurement. Going forward, we will prioritise working with businesses who can demonstrate that they are:
Consultation with teams that are heavily involved with procurement, particularly for emissions-intensive activities (e.g. road construction & maintenance, project delivery).
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