Sustainable Procurement
University sustainable procurement goals and strategy:
Our sustainable procurement goal is to procure goods and services in ways that maximise efficiency and effectiveness while minimising social, environmental and other risks.
When buying through the University’s purchasing systems, or using University contracted suppliers, students and staff can be confident that environmental and social issues have been taken into account.
Choosing goods and services that benefit the University, society, economy and the environment
Our objectives include:
- Full compliance with the Sustainable Procurement Duty
- Supporting University Policy through Sustainable Procurement
- Enhancing the skills and knowledge of all staff with purchasing authority
- Supporting businesses which employ over 30% disabled people by engaging with our suppliers and awarding contracts to supported businesses where possible
- Use available tools and guidance to prioritise and implement sustainability goals relevant to the category of goods, services or works
Our approach is to:
- Focus our specialist support on managing the procurement of goods and services that are either high value, high volume or high risk
- Give priority to social responsibility and sustainability and whole life costs when selecting suppliers and awarding contracts
- Ensure that all collaborative buying arrangements we enter into meet our own high standards
- Provide guidance and training to support people across the University with responsibility for purchasing all other goods and services.
Sustainable Procurement Reporting
Sustainable Procurement activities are reported in the following ways:
Find out more
To introduce you to sustainable procurement at the University of Edinburgh there are sustainability guides on specific categories
General guidance for all suppliers to the University
Guidance for electronics suppliers
Guidance for catering suppliers
Guidance for laboratory suppliers
The University is a signatory to the
Social Impact Pledge - University Procurement Strategy
Lead Responsibilities
Lee Hamill, Director of Finance,
Sustainable Finance and Procurement Champion
Dave Gorman, Director of Social Responsibility and Sustainability
George Sked, Director of Procurement
Key CommitteesSustainability and Social Responsibility Committee (SRSC)
Convenor: Professor Alexander (Sandy) Tudhope,,University lead on Climate Responsibility and Sustainability
Sustainability Strategy Advisory Group (SSAG)
Convenor: Dave Gorman, Director of Social Responsibility and Sustainability Department
Secretary to these committees:
Staff can join in the Sustainability Champions Network here