Introduction

Sustainable procurement plays a critical role in advancing sustainability goals within facilities management. By integrating sustainability into procurement decisions, facilities managers can help reduce environmental impact, improve social equity, and drive economic value. This course equips Facilities Management (FM) professionals with the knowledge and practical tools to implement sustainable procurement practices in sourcing, evaluating, and managing suppliers, ensuring that their facilities contribute to environmental protection, social responsibility, and economic sustainability.

Course Objectives

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

• Understand the principles and importance of sustainable procurement in FM.
• Develop strategies for sourcing sustainable goods and services.
• Incorporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into procurement decisions.
• Implement green procurement policies aligned with corporate sustainability goals.
• Evaluate and manage suppliers based on their sustainability performance.
• Monitor and report on sustainability outcomes of procurement activities.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

• Facilities Managers focused on improving the sustainability of operations.
• Procurement Managers responsible for sourcing goods and services for facilities.
• Sustainability & ESG Professionals working on reducing the environmental impact of procurement.
• Supply Chain & Logistics Professionals looking to incorporate sustainable practices into procurement.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Leaders and decision-makers.
• Building Owners and Property Managers seeking sustainable sourcing strategies.

Day 1: Introduction to Sustainable Procurement

• The Concept of Sustainable Procurement
  • Defining sustainable procurement and its significance in facilities management.
  • Understanding the Triple Bottom Line: Environmental, Social, and Economic benefits.
  • The role of procurement in achieving corporate sustainability goals.
• Global Trends and Drivers for Sustainable Procurement
  • Regulatory drivers: International regulations (e.g., EU Green Deal, Paris Agreement).
  • Corporate responsibility trends and the growing focus on ESG criteria.
  • The rise of green procurement certifications and eco-labels.
• Aligning Procurement with Sustainability Goals
  • Setting sustainability goals in procurement policies.
  • Identifying opportunities for sustainability in the procurement process.
  • Integrating life cycle assessment (LCA) into procurement decisions.

Day 2: Environmental Considerations in Procurement

• Sustainable Sourcing of Goods and Services
  • The importance of eco-friendly materials and resources.
  • Strategies for sourcing products with reduced environmental impact (e.g., low-carbon, recyclable).
  • Case studies on sourcing renewable energy, low-impact construction materials, and sustainable office products.
• Energy, Water, and Waste Management in Procurement
  • How to procure products that conserve energy and water.
  • Managing waste through procurement: sourcing for zero-waste, circular economy, and recyclable goods.
  • Green building products and their role in sustainable FM operations.
• Sustainable Packaging and Transportation
  • Reducing packaging waste and sourcing for eco-friendly packaging solutions.
  • Sustainable logistics: optimizing transportation to reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption.
  • Choosing suppliers with a commitment to reducing their environmental footprint.

Day 3: Social and Ethical Considerations in Procurement

• Social Responsibility in Procurement
  • Understanding fair trade, labor rights, and ethical sourcing in procurement.
  • How to ensure that products and services are sourced from ethical suppliers with fair labor practices.
  • Addressing diversity and inclusion through sustainable procurement (e.g., supplier diversity programs).
• Human Rights and Governance in Supplier Selection
  • Integrating human rights considerations in procurement decisions.
  • Tools for assessing labor conditions and supplier compliance with ethical standards.
  • Managing supplier relationships for transparency and accountability.
• Certifications and Standards for Social Responsibility
  • Overview of ethical sourcing certifications (e.g., Fair Trade, B Corp).
  • How to assess and select suppliers with strong corporate governance practices.
  • The role of social impact in evaluating procurement decisions.

Day 4: Supplier Evaluation and Relationship Management

• Evaluating Supplier Sustainability Performance
  • Setting sustainability criteria and KPIs for supplier selection.
  • Tools for evaluating the sustainability performance of suppliers (e.g., Sustainable Procurement Scorecards).
  • Case studies of supplier selection based on sustainability and ESG ratings.
• Building Collaborative Relationships with Sustainable Suppliers
  • Establishing long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships with sustainable suppliers.
  • Encouraging innovation in sustainability practices among suppliers.
  • Leveraging supplier expertise to improve procurement sustainability.
• Supplier Audits and Performance Monitoring
  • Conducting supplier audits for compliance with sustainability standards.
  • How to track and report on supplier sustainability performance over time.
  • Strategies for improving supplier sustainability through continuous improvement.

Day 5: Implementing and Reporting on Sustainable Procurement

• Developing a Sustainable Procurement Policy
  • Key components of a sustainable procurement policy for FM.
  • How to align procurement policies with organizational sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) objectives.
  • Strategies for promoting policy adoption across procurement teams.
• Monitoring and Reporting on Sustainable Procurement Outcomes
  • Tools for tracking sustainability metrics in procurement (e.g., carbon footprint reduction, waste reduction).
  • Using data analytics and software platforms to measure sustainability progress.
  • Reporting to stakeholders: creating annual sustainability reports and using ESG disclosure frameworks.
• Workshop: Creating a Sustainable Procurement Action Plan
  • Hands-on development of a sustainable procurement action plan.
  • Identifying key sustainability initiatives and establishing clear targets.
  • Group presentations and expert feedback on participants’ action plans.

Course Methodology

• Expert-Led Lectures: Insights from sustainability procurement specialists and industry leaders.
• Case Studies & Best Practices: Real-life examples of sustainable procurement in various facilities and sectors.
• Interactive Discussions: Engaging with peers and experts on procurement challenges and solutions.
• Practical Workshops: Developing actionable sustainable procurement plans and policies.
• Group Projects: Participants collaborate to create sustainable procurement strategies for their facilities.
• Final Assessment: Presenting a sustainable procurement action plan for feedback and refinement.