Responsible Procurement

Be a Sustainable and Responsible Supplier 

University policies, strategies and commitments shape the University's Sustainability targets and performance.

We are looking to our supply chain to demonstrate the same commitment to improving the social, economic, and environmental climate.

University's Sustainability targets and performance

Environmental Sustainability 

We recognise that climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and water quality and availability are all threatening life on earth.

Buying goods and services that have an improved carbon, water, waste or biodiversity footprint is one way we can support environmental sustainability through our procurement practices.

We are looking to our supply chains to:

Have targets and action plans in place to reduce their carbon emissions. These should: 

• demonstrate alignment to the Edinburgh Pathway and have targets and action plans in place to reduce their carbon emissions to zero by 2045 (or 2050 where an organisation is based outside of Scotland)
• cover carbon emissions from the suppliers’ direct impact (scopes 1 and 2) and their supply chains (scope 3)

For further information on the Edinburgh Pathway:

Edinburgh Pathway

Provide carbon emission reporting, including: 

• a comprehensive report for our staff when purchasing goods, services, or works
• regular reports on the carbon emissions of goods purchased by the University (monthly or quarterly). For example, through Management Information/MI.

Be taking action on a wider range of environmental themes where they have a direct impact, such as: 

• biodiversity loss (including plants, animals and habitats)
• the release of novel entities into the environment (out of place chemicals and materials that could have unknown and damaging effects on our health and environment)
• resource use, including water use across the lifecycle of any products provided, and moving towards a circular economy
• local air pollution

Fair Work Practices 

It is important that everyone involved in making products and delivering services is treated fairly. This means being vigilant on modern slavery; paying special attention to areas such as conflict minerals found in electronics, and palm oil; and championing fair trade, which seeks to empower workers.

We are looking to our supply chains to:

Commit to Fair Work practices, such as:

• have a Fair Work First statement and action plan or have a commitment to deliver this within duration of this framework
• are committed to paying employees at least the real living wage, and/or are Living Wage accredited. 

Scottish Government: Fair Work First

Scottish Living Wage: Become Accredited

Align to the University’s sustainability and human rights related policies as appropriate to their area of work and supply chain.

Social, Economic and Environmental improvement of local communities 

As part of our contracts, we want to help improve the social, economic and environmental well being of the local community.

One way to achieve this is by including Community Benefits commitments in our contracts; we follow advice from the Scottish Government on maximising Community Benefits in our contracts:

Scottish Government: Community Benefits in Procurement

We are looking to suppliers to:

Demonstrate an increase in social value within our local communities from their work, for example through: 

• Offer community benefits as part of the contract
• Alignment with the University's Community Plan 2025-30

University's Community Plan 2025–30