Sustainable Environment — Embracing Sustainability

Sustainable Issues Revolving the Environment

Environmental sustainability offers a lot of benefits in terms of the health of each individual and animal in the world. However, as there are too many issues surrounding sustainability, almost everything can be regarded as sustainable issues. Here are some barriers that you may face when working to achieve environmental sustainability:

• Exponential population growth
• Excessive consumption
• Limited awareness of sustainability
• Many economists observed that sustainable development is more focused on economic growth rather than people’s health and rights
• Insufficient support from the government
• Many consumers are not yet ready to give up convenience for sustainability

How Procurement Can Contribute to Taking Care of the Environment

Businesses are now taking responsibility for how they can affect the environment and society with their business operations. However, not many businesses know how to contribute to taking care of the environment through their business operations. 

Thus, we are going to tell you about opportunities in your procurement that can help you lessen your impact on the environment and society.

1. Energy and climate-conscious purchasing

By purchasing consciously, the business can contribute to energy savings, reduce carbon emissions, and switch to sustainable energy resources. 

To do this, you can challenge your suppliers to minimize their greenhouse gas emissions in their production process, use energy-efficient machines, lessen their transport movements, and use sustainable energy. 

2. Using environmentally-friendly materials

Businesses should source sustainably produced raw materials that are made from recycled materials or products produced without harmful substances. 

The usage of sustainable packaging is becoming a trend for many companies. It is made to reduce the environmental footprint of traditional packaging. To give you an example, you may think that plant-based packaging may be a good option. 

However, it might be harmful as there will be a rise in demand for plant-based materials. You must take note that a label that says “eco-friendly” does not mean that it is sustainable. 

3. Efficiency to water and soil

As a procurement professional, you can try to reduce the negative impact on water and soil by tendering sustainable materials for road construction, hydraulic engineering, and landscaping projects. 

Thus, you can minimize the emission of harmful substances to water, soil, and air and influence the groundwater level as little as possible.

4. Attention to the surrounding environment

In your years as a procurement professional, you may happen to have purchased products or services that have an effect on the quality of life of the people around your business. 

Thus, you must consider noise, vibrations, odor and air pollution, litter, weeds, graffiti, and so on. Timely and good communication with local residents and stakeholders is often crucial to succeed in doing this. 

5. Care for nature, biodiversity, space

Your procurement process can contribute to a positive impact on nature and biodiversity by looking for solutions that serve multiple interests at the same time.

For example, you can use bio-based raw materials which replace fossil raw materials that have a huge negative effect on the planet. It is interesting to opt for biobased alternatives because the costs during the lifespan can be lower and the production process is often more environmentally friendly.

If you want to know more about a sustainable environment, then try our Sustainable Procurement Course. Our course will give you a deeper insight into how your procurement process can contribute to the environment while also aiming for high profits. Enroll now!