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Board of wooden leaves with indecipherable writing on them
Image credit: Jacques Dillies, Unsplash

Forming part of the Nature and Business Resources Kit, this module explores the impact of nature on your supply chain and how that can, in turn, reduce carbon emissions too.

Nature-friendly procurement and purchasing is about taking into consideration where products are made, what they are made from, and how, as well as considerations around packaging, transportation and disposal/ recycling. This is the area where your business may be able to make the most immediate impact on your wider footprint.

Rickety train on old track

Research and ask probing questions

If you are setting up a new procurement process, consider asking suppliers to provide information on the processes and considerations they use to identify and reduce their impact on biodiversity, and how they share this information with others. If you are new to considering the impact of your business on nature, this may give you more useful information for procurement awards than detailed technical specifications (particularly where different metrics are used).

If you are purchasing products directly, you will need to conduct your own research and make your own judgments. Nature is a complex system and there is no ‘checklist’ of what to buy to be sustainable. However, certifications and labels can be useful visual tools to inform decisions.

What should you look out for in your supply chain?

  • Choose products that do not contain palm oil, or if required use RSPO certified palm oil. You may be surprised to find out how many products contain palm oil - have a look at the technical specifications, ingredients or ask your suppliers.
  • Explore EPEAT, a registry for the environmental impact of electronics, when you are purchasing new IT.
  • Paper and wood should be FSC certified. This could include printer paper, flyers, banners, signage and office furniture made of wood. Where possible, choose wood rather than plastic packaging or products.
  • When sourcing food or catering, ask for food to be MSC certified, Fairtrade certified, or include products with Rainforest Alliance You could also request that at least half of the catering for an event is vegetarian or vegan.