SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT STRATEGY

Tunley Environmental assists organisations to implement sustainability into every layer of their operations, including procurement. Backed by our team of PhD-level scientists, we provide expert support in developing and implementing a sustainable procurement strategy aligned with ISO 20400. We help to ensure that your procurement decisions align with your environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.

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WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT?

Sustainable procurement is the process of integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into purchasing decisions and supply chain management. Rather than focusing solely on cost and quality, a sustainable procurement strategy considers the long-term impacts of what is being purchased, from ethical sourcing and fair labor practices to reducing carbon emissions and waste. This approach aligns procurement activities with broader corporate responsibility and sustainability goals. ISO 20400 is an internationally recognised framework which helps organisations implement best practices in sustainable procurement.

ALIGN WITH UN SDGs

Implementing a sustainable procurement strategy helps your organisation contribute to global priorities like climate action, decent work, and responsible consumption. By aligning with the SDGs, your procurement practices go beyond compliance and become part of a global solution.

REDUCE SUPPLY CHAIN'S FOOTPRINT

Sustainable procurement encourages the selection of products and suppliers with lower environmental impact. This includes sourcing from local vendors, selecting energy-efficient goods, and partnering with suppliers committed to decarbonisation.

STRENGTHEN SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIPS

Through structured supplier sustainability assessments, you build partnerships based on shared values and performance standards. This gains trust, improves supply chain transparency, and creates a culture of continuous improvement among your vendors.

COMPLY WITH REGULATIONS

Comply with sustainable procurement regulations such as the UK's PPN 06/21.

SECURE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

Some government contracts require Procurement Policy Notes. For example, all companies who supply to the NHS must calculate their carbon footprint.

UNDERSTANDING ISO 20400 SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT

ISO 20400 is the international standard for sustainable procurement, offering a clear framework for organisation to align procurement with sustainability objectives. It guides businesses in:

Setting sustainability priorities that reflect their operations and values
Applying due diligence to avoid environmental or ethical complications
Establishing procurement practices that support long-term sustainability goals

By following ISO 20400 sustainable procurement principles, businesses ensure that sustainability is not just a vision but an operational reality.

Sustainable Procurement principles-01

BENEFITS OF ISO 20400 AND SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT

In today’s global landscape, organisations are increasingly expected to demonstrate responsibility beyond profit. Choosing sustainable procurement is a strategic decision and implementing a sustainable procurement strategy guided by ISO 20400 brings measurable benefits:

HOLISTIC ESG INTEGRATION

Considers environmental, social, and governance factors, evaluated according to the nature of your operations.

LIFECYCLE SUSTAINABILITY

Influences every stage of a project’s lifecycle, from sourcing to end-of-life management.

RISK MITIGATION

Reduces reputational and operational risks through effective sustainable procurement risk mitigation strategies.

STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT

Advances your company’s vision, enhances marketability, and strengthens your ESG performance.

FAIR AND ETHICAL PRACTICES

Encouraging a fair and ethical tendering process, promoting transparency and accountability.

FORMAL REPORTING

Findings are compiled into a comprehensive, CSRD-aligned report with clear visuals, actionable insights, and strategic recommendations.

I would recommend Tunley to anyone with full confidence, they are very knowledgeable in this field, and are very responsive and patient to work with. I felt i started my BCA training with little to no knowledge, Tunley have given me the knowledge and confidence to take on our Business Carbon Assessments annually. Thanks to Tunley for delivering the training and completing our initial carbon assessment to a really high standard."

Ryan Knight

Business Operations Manager | With-You

The project ran seamlessly from carrying out regular communication between key project stakeholders to the speed of the project execution and completion. We would highly recommend Tunley Environmental to companies looking to complete product LCAs.”

Keely Warren

Brand & Communications Manager | Tremco

We're proud to be recognised as a Business Carbon Verified company by Tunley Environmental. This achievement is a testiment to our dedication to environmental responsibility and our ongoing efforts to create a more sustainable future. The Team are lovely and very informative. Everything was handled with great care and the report was done in record time! Felt very supported throughout the journey and happy to report that we are on track thanks to Tunley!”

Natasha Pieters

Business Support Manager | Merco Medical Staffing Ltd

From start to finish the whole team have excelled in communication and support. They made the entire process seemless, and nothing was too much for them. This is my first full experience completing a carbon assessment, and I couldn't have asked for a better company to complete this with.”

Rebecca Druce

SQE Manager | Spacecare

We found all of the Tunley Environmental representatives to be extremely friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. They provided a high standard of service with plenty of advice and support, including regular meetings to update on progress and present findings. We look forward to working with Tunley Environmental again on future projects.”

Mary Bellamy

Lead Research Nurse | University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

HOW TUNLEY CAN HELP

Our expert team supports you through every stage of implementing a sustainable procurement framework with ISO 20400:

Sustainable Procurement steps-02

Priority Setting: We help you identify relevant sustainability topics specific to your industry and operations and establish an effective sustainable procurement strategy.
Operational Integration: From policy to practice, we support the integration of your strategy into procurement processes, enabling seamless integration of sustainability into procurement.
Tender Process Design: Assistance in setting up a fair and transparent tendering process, ensuring your values are upheld from the start.
Contract Management: Guidance on best practices for sustainable contract management, driving continuous improvement and accountability.
Training and Advisory: Bespoke consulting to enhance your internal capacity and understanding of how to implement ISO 20400 in procurement.

WHY CHOOSE TUNLEY?

We combine scientific expertise, regulatory knowledge, and practical solutions to help businesses effectively measure, manage, and reduce their water footprint. Here’s why organisations trust us for their water footprint assessment needs:

TRUSTED SCIENTISTS

Our ISO 20400 Support is led by PhD-level scientists with deep expertise across a broad range of sustainability disciplines, ensuring your assessment is thorough, credible, and in the most capable hands.

TAILORED SOLUTIONS

We understand that every organisation is unique, and one-size-fits-all approaches may not be affective. We offer personalised and tailored solutions that address the specific needs and challenges of each client.

INDUSTRY LEADERS

As a leading sustainability consultancy, we've worked with organisations across multiple sectors, helping them reduce their environmental impact while maintaining operational efficiency.