Introduction

Green procurement and supply chain management focus on integrating sustainability into the procurement process and supply chain operations. As businesses face increasing pressure from regulators, investors, and consumers to reduce their environmental footprint, the need for eco-friendly and socially responsible supply chains has become critical. This course is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to implement green procurement practices, assess environmental impacts across the supply chain, and develop sustainable supplier relationships that support long-term business success.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will:

1. Understand the principles and importance of green procurement and sustainable supply chains.
2. Learn how to assess and reduce environmental and social impacts throughout the supply chain.
3. Gain insights into creating sustainable procurement strategies that align with corporate sustainability goals.
4. Develop the skills to evaluate, select, and manage suppliers based on their sustainability performance.
5. Understand the role of certification and standards (e.g., ISO 14001, Fair Trade) in green procurement.
6. Explore how to foster collaboration with suppliers to drive continuous improvement in sustainability.
7. Learn to measure and report on the sustainability of procurement and supply chain activities.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

• Procurement managers and officers
• Supply chain managers and coordinators
• Sustainability professionals and environmental compliance officers
• Operations managers
• CSR and ethical sourcing teams
• Logistics and inventory managers
• Environmental consultants and auditors
• Executives looking to integrate sustainability into their business operations
• Anyone interested in green procurement and sustainable supply chain practices

Day-by-Day Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Green Procurement and Sustainable Supply Chains

• Understanding Green Procurement
  • Defining green procurement: What it is and why it matters
  • The role of procurement in sustainability: Environmental, social, and economic dimensions
  • Key drivers of green procurement: Regulations, consumer demand, cost savings, and reputation
  • Business benefits of green procurement: Risk management, cost efficiency, and competitive advantage
• Sustainable Supply Chains: An Overview
  • What makes a supply chain sustainable? Environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic viability
  • The life cycle of products and materials in a sustainable supply chain
  • Key principles: Reducing emissions, waste, water consumption, and improving resource efficiency
• Green Procurement Models and Frameworks
  • Overview of standards and certifications (e.g., ISO 14001, Fair Trade, FSC, Energy Star)
  • The role of certifications in driving supply chain sustainability
  • Life cycle assessment (LCA) in procurement decision-making
• Interactive Session:
  • Participants assess their organization’s current procurement practices and identify opportunities for integrating green procurement principles

Day 2: Sustainable Procurement Strategies and Decision-Making

• Developing a Green Procurement Strategy
  • Aligning procurement goals with corporate sustainability objectives
  • Integrating sustainability into procurement policies and procedures
  • Setting clear sustainability criteria for products and services
  • Building a business case for sustainable procurement: Cost savings, long-term value, and environmental impact
• Evaluating Environmental and Social Impacts
  • Tools and methodologies for assessing the environmental impact of products and services
  • Evaluating suppliers based on sustainability criteria: Carbon footprint, resource use, waste management, and human rights
  • The role of supplier sustainability audits and environmental risk assessments
• Sustainable Supplier Selection and Engagement
  • Criteria for selecting sustainable suppliers: Environmental, social, and economic factors
  • Strategies for engaging suppliers and promoting sustainability throughout the supply chain
  • How to foster collaboration with suppliers to drive continuous improvement
• Case Study:
  • Review of successful green procurement strategies from leading companies (e.g., Walmart, Unilever)
• Workshop:
  • Participants work in groups to develop a sustainable procurement strategy for a product or service in their organization

Day 3: Green Procurement Tools, Technologies, and Best Practices

• Green Procurement Tools and Software
  • Overview of software solutions and tools for managing green procurement (e.g., SAP Ariba, EcoReal, Green Procurement Platform)
  • How to use procurement platforms to track and manage sustainability performance
  • Automating green procurement processes and reporting
• Eco-Design and Product Selection
  • Principles of eco-design: Reducing environmental impacts through design choices
  • Selecting environmentally friendly products and services: Material choice, energy efficiency, recyclability
  • Using eco-labels and certifications to identify sustainable products
• Collaborative Supply Chain Practices
  • Building strategic partnerships with suppliers for sustainability innovation
  • Integrating sustainability into supplier contracts and agreements
  • The role of supplier development programs: Supporting suppliers to meet sustainability criteria
• Best Practices for Green Procurement
  • Engaging internal stakeholders: Building support for green procurement across the organization
  • Communicating green procurement successes to stakeholders (e.g., reports, dashboards, and case studies)
  • Overcoming challenges in green procurement: Budget constraints, resistance to change, and supply chain complexity
• Workshop:
  • Participants explore green procurement tools and technologies and simulate a procurement process for a sustainable product

Day 4: Measuring, Monitoring, and Reporting Green Procurement Performance

• Setting Sustainability Metrics for Procurement
  • Key performance indicators (KPIs) for green procurement: Carbon footprint, waste reduction, water usage, supplier sustainability rating
  • How to establish measurable sustainability goals and track progress
  • Setting baselines and benchmarks for continuous improvement
• Monitoring and Auditing Green Procurement
  • Techniques for monitoring sustainability performance throughout the supply chain
  • Conducting internal and external sustainability audits of suppliers
  • Tracking the effectiveness of green procurement strategies and identifying areas for improvement
• Reporting and Communicating Sustainability Performance
  • Best practices for reporting on green procurement and supply chain sustainability
  • The role of sustainability reports (e.g., GRI, CDP, SASB) in communicating progress
  • How to use data visualization tools to present sustainability performance effectively
• The Role of External Certifications and Audits
  • How third-party certifications (e.g., B Corp, ISO 14001) can support and validate green procurement efforts
  • The importance of transparency in reporting sustainability data to stakeholders
• Workshop:
  • Participants develop a simple green procurement performance report for their organization, utilizing KPIs and reporting frameworks

Day 5: Overcoming Challenges and Scaling Green Procurement

• Challenges in Green Procurement
  • Identifying and overcoming common challenges in green procurement: Cost, supply chain complexity, supplier readiness
  • Addressing resistance to green procurement internally and externally
  • How to engage leadership in supporting green procurement initiatives
• Building a Green Procurement Culture
  • Creating awareness and training programs for employees involved in procurement
  • Encouraging innovation and the adoption of sustainable practices across departments
  • Promoting collaboration across organizations to drive collective action toward sustainability
• Scaling Green Procurement Across the Supply Chain
  • Expanding green procurement efforts across international and multi-tier supply chains
  • Encouraging suppliers to adopt sustainable practices and certifications
  • Leveraging green procurement to influence industry standards and regulations
• Emerging Trends in Green Procurement
  • Circular economy and its implications for procurement
  • The growing importance of ethical sourcing and labor standards in green procurement
  • How technological innovations (e.g., blockchain, AI) are transforming green procurement
• Final Project:
  • Participants present a comprehensive green procurement plan for their organization, incorporating the tools, strategies, and best practices learned during the course
• Wrap-Up and Certification:
  • Review of key takeaways, Q&A session.
  • Certification awarded to participants who complete the course.