We believe sustainability isn’t just a compliance exercise – it’s a strategic advantage.
Done well, it can unlock cost savings, resilience and innovation across your supply chain. But how do you move beyond ticking boxes and truly embed sustainability into every supplier relationship?
Our latest whitepaper, created in partnership with The Gap Partnership, answers this question with a practical framework designed for procurement teams ready to transform their approach.
The missing ingredient: A mindset shift
Many organisations have sustainability strategies in place, yet struggle to execute effectively. The reason? Sustainability is often treated as a risk-reduction task rather than a lever for value creation. This paper challenges that mindset and shows how negotiation can be the secret ingredient for success.
Three levels of sustainable procurement
The whitepaper introduces a recipe for success with three distinct levels:
Level 1: Compliance and cost allocation – The foundation
Ensure suppliers meet ESG standards and manage sustainability-related costs. Practical tips include setting clear timelines, measurable metrics and using peer comparisons to drive improvement
Level 2: Mutual benefit initiatives – Collaborative recipes
Move beyond mandates to unlock shared value through initiatives like joint logistics and collaborative packaging. Success here depends on open information sharing and flexible negotiations.
Level 3: Transformational projects – The showstopper bake
Deep partnerships and co-development projects deliver the biggest impact. Case studies, such as Sainsbury’s and CHEP’s collaboration to reduce pallet movements, show how strategic alignment can unlock commercial and environmental benefits.
Overcoming common challenges
From siloed sustainability to short-term thinking, the paper identifies five common barriers and offers practical solutions – including targeted training, sustainability champions and leveraging AI tools to streamline ESG processes.
Ready to elevate your procurement strategy?
Download the whitepaper today and discover how to bake sustainability into the heart of your commercial approach.