Introduction

As organizations and governments increasingly face the challenges of climate change, environmental degradation, and resource depletion, the demand for sustainable procurement practices has never been higher. Green procurement involves the acquisition of goods, services, and works that have a minimal environmental impact throughout their lifecycle, from production to disposal. This 5-day course will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of sustainable procurement practices and the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into procurement decisions. Participants will learn how to align procurement strategies with sustainable development goals (SDGs) and environmental regulations while maximizing value for money.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the core principles of sustainable procurement and its environmental, social, and economic impacts.
• Develop strategies for integrating green procurement into organizational practices and supply chains.
• Apply life cycle costing and environmental impact assessments to procurement decisions.
• Incorporate ESG criteria into supplier selection and contract management.
• Understand international standards and frameworks for green procurement, including ISO 20400 and the EU Green Public Procurement (GPP).
• Learn about eco-labels, certifications, and tools for evaluating sustainability in products and services.
• Navigate the challenges of balancing sustainability with cost-effectiveness and performance requirements.
• Explore the role of circular economy principles in sustainable procurement.

Who Should Attend?

This course is designed for:

• Procurement professionals and contract managers looking to incorporate sustainability into their procurement processes.
• Environmental managers and sustainability officers responsible for driving green procurement initiatives within their organizations.
• Supply chain managers working on integrating sustainability across the supply chain.
• Government officials responsible for green public procurement policies.
• Purchasing managers in both the public and private sectors.
• Consultants specializing in sustainability and green procurement strategies.
• Project managers seeking to incorporate sustainability in large-scale procurement projects.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Sustainable and Green Procurement

• Defining Sustainable Procurement:
  • Key concepts of sustainable procurement: environmental, social, and economic considerations.
  • The importance of green procurement in today’s business landscape and global supply chains.
  • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their relationship to procurement.
• Why Green Procurement Matters:
  • The environmental, financial, and social benefits of adopting sustainable procurement practices.
  • The role of procurement in addressing climate change, resource efficiency, and waste management.
  • Aligning corporate social responsibility (CSR) with procurement strategy.
• Legal and Regulatory Frameworks for Sustainable Procurement:
  • International agreements, such as the Paris Agreement and the UN Global Compact, and their impact on procurement.
  • National and regional regulations: The EU Green Public Procurement (GPP) and local laws promoting sustainable procurement.
  • Overview of ISO 20400 and its guidelines for sustainable procurement.

Day 2: Life Cycle Thinking and Environmental Impact

• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in Procurement:
  • Introduction to life cycle thinking and life cycle costing (LCC).
  • How to assess environmental impacts from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal.
  • Using LCA to make informed procurement decisions that minimize environmental impact.
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA):
  • The importance of conducting EIAs for products and services.
  • Tools and methodologies for conducting effective EIAs in procurement processes.
  • Integrating EIA findings into procurement decision-making.
• Carbon Footprint and Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
  • Understanding the carbon footprint and how it relates to procurement decisions.
  • Methods for calculating and reducing emissions in the supply chain.
  • Practical steps to ensure carbon reduction in procurement processes.

Day 3: Green Procurement Tools and Standards

• Green Procurement Criteria and Specifications:
  • Developing green procurement criteria for product selection, services, and contractors.
  • Defining environmental requirements and ensuring they align with organizational goals.
  • Using environmental product declarations (EPDs), eco-labels, and certifications to identify sustainable products.
• Eco-Labels and Certifications:
  • Key eco-labels (e.g., EU Ecolabel, Energy Star, Fair Trade) and how to interpret their significance.
  • The role of environmental certifications in supply chain management.
  • How to assess the authenticity and relevance of eco-certifications in procurement.
• Green Public Procurement (GPP):
  • Implementing green procurement policies in the public sector.
  • Understanding the EU’s GPP criteria and how governments can adopt green procurement standards.
  • Case studies of successful green procurement initiatives in the public sector.

Day 4: Sustainable Supplier Selection and Risk Management

• Integrating ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Criteria:
  • How to incorporate ESG factors into supplier selection and performance evaluation.
  • Creating a sustainable supply chain by prioritizing suppliers with strong environmental and social credentials.
  • Developing sustainability scorecards and supplier assessments.
• Managing Supplier Relationships and Collaboration:
  • Best practices for engaging suppliers in sustainability initiatives.
  • Building long-term partnerships with suppliers committed to green practices.
  • Ensuring compliance with sustainability requirements and addressing non-compliance.
• Risk Management in Green Procurement:
  • Identifying and managing risks associated with sustainable procurement, including supply chain disruption, cost increase, and product availability.
  • Addressing potential trade-offs between cost, sustainability, and quality.
  • Developing contingency plans for maintaining sustainability goals despite challenges.

Day 5: Implementing and Measuring Sustainable Procurement

• Sustainable Procurement Strategy Development:
  • Steps for developing and implementing an organizational green procurement strategy.
  • Aligning procurement practices with corporate sustainability goals and ESG policies.
  • Establishing clear sustainability targets and integrating them into procurement processes.
• Measuring Success in Sustainable Procurement:
  • Key performance indicators (KPIs) for monitoring sustainability in procurement.
  • Tracking carbon reduction, resource efficiency, and waste reduction metrics.
  • Using tools like sustainability reporting frameworks (e.g., Global Reporting Initiative).
• Circular Economy and Green Procurement:
  • Integrating circular economy principles into procurement strategies: reduce, reuse, recycle.
  • How to prioritize products and services designed for remanufacturing, repair, and recycling.
  • Case studies of successful circular procurement initiatives.
• Final Workshop and Group Exercise:
  • Hands-on activities: Create a green procurement plan for a real-world scenario.
  • Group discussions on overcoming challenges and implementing best practices.
  • Presentations from participants on integrating sustainability in procurement strategies.

Conclusion

This course provides participants with the tools, strategies, and knowledge required to implement sustainable and green procurement practices across organizations. By adopting these practices, participants will contribute to environmental protection, resource efficiency, and social responsibility while meeting business goals and regulatory requirements.

Certification

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a Certified Sustainable and Green Procurement Professional (CSGPP) certification from Learnify® Training.

Certification Benefits:

• Expertise in green procurement and sustainable supply chain management.
• In-depth understanding of life cycle assessment and environmental impact strategies.
• A recognized certification to enhance career prospects in the growing field of sustainable procurement.