What is Sustainable Procurement (SP)?

Here is the the four-part definition:

“Sustainable Procurement” ensures that buyers…

…obtain the best value for money, when purchasing…
(i.e., highest overall weighted score in the bid appraisal)

… the most sustainable goods and services…
(i.e., products that have the best environmental and social performance and content attributes)

…from the most sustainable suppliers, in support of…
(i.e. suppliers that have the best impacts on the environment, their employees, and their communities, directly or indirectly)

…the organization’s stated purpose and strategic goals.
(1.e., the organization cares about its impacts on people and the planet, and accepts mutual accountability for indirect impacts by its supply chains.

As outlined in the white paper, “7 Bold Strokes to Save Our World,” sustainable procurement (Bold Stroke #3) may be the most underused and powerful market force that could accelerate us toward a resilient, sustainable socio-economic system.