The University has a Procurement Strategy which sets out the procurement guidelines of buying goods, services and works. Within this strategy, the University acknowledges that its purchasing decisions have major socio-economic and environmental implications, both locally and globally.
Procurement Carbon emissions SMART targets
Our current targets and some examples of how we are going to achieve them can be accessed through the sustainability targets document.
Sustainable Procurement Steering Group
A Sustainable Procurement Steering Group of the Sustainability Strategy Committee was created in April 2014 to oversee this important work; membership includes students, academics and procurement professionals. The main focus of this group is ethical procurement issues, including workers’ rights such as Modern Slavery in the supply chain, factory conditions and reforming supply chains and Social Values Act. See the terms of reference and membership details. The group members are invited to guest lecture to students and education is an important remit of the group.
Procurement of electronic goods
Another example is our procurement of electronic goods. Poor working conditions and labour rights abuses are commonplace in many parts of the developing the world, where the majority of ICT products are made. The University procures all its ICT equipment through a purchasing consortium which has signed up to Electronics Watch NWUPC Ltd. An independent organisation that aims to monitor working conditions in the global electronics industry to enable socially responsible public purchasing across Europe.
The Head of Procurement who chairs this group is a member of the Sustainability Strategy Committee and provides regular reports to the meetings. The University understands that procurement is one of the most significant contributors to its carbon footprint. Training in this important area is seen as key, HEPA 6 modules are being trialled in Procurement and then rolled out to all relevant staff. We are working with NETpositive Futures using their supplier engagement tool and you can view our example report. The University has also used the tool to establish our own Action Plan.
Ethical Investment
Please go to our finance page to view our ethical Investment policy.
Fossil Free Declaration
The University is continuing to demonstrate our commitment to sustainable energy by signing the Planet & People Fossil Free Declaration in May 2021. Please visit the document link to view the declaration. We are publicly declaring that we do not invest in fossil fuel companies now and in the future.
Installing Solar 50kwp PV at University of Worcester