© Higher Ed Services, 2012 The Sustainable Purchasing and Supply Summit (UK) November 2012

© Higher Ed Services, 2012 The Sustainable Purchasing and Supply Summit (UK) QEII Conference Centre, London, on the 26 th of April 2012 Conference topics included:  A Balanced Approach to Sustainable Purchasing  Turning Talk into Action  Supplier Engagement & Change Management  Quantifying Direct & Indirect Impacts  Realising the Extended Benefits

© Higher Ed Services, 2012 The Sustainable Purchasing and Supply Summit (UK) The theme and purpose of the Sustainable Purchasing and Supply Summit was to explore key aspects of formulating and implementing effective strategies within the Procurement Function. Presenters were from leading global organisations such as:  Price Waterhouse Coopers  TNT Express  Tesco  UK Department of Health  Thames Water Managed Procurement Service  Marks and Spencer  Director – Centre for Corporate Responsibility, Cranfield University

© Higher Ed Services, 2012 The Sustainable Purchasing and Supply Summit (UK) Each Business had its own set of parameters resulting in different approaches  Astra Zeneca – changed transport methods  TNT Express – standardised packaging options globally  Tesco (carbon neutral in 5years )  building carbon neutral stores  changing the method of deliveries to their stores  recycling only and having no waste Note:Tesco’s ethos is to only procure ethically produced goods for example Tuna is sourced from companies that are using “pole” fishing and not commercial netting.

© Higher Ed Services, 2012 The Sustainable Purchasing and Supply Summit (UK)  Robust auditing systems that required suppliers (excluding those < £16,000 p.a.) to have documented evidence of their SOPs.  Sustainable/fair trade practices were key elements of ALL contracts and a major part of the Service Level Agreement contained within the contracts/agreements.

© Higher Ed Services, 2012 Embedding Sustainability within the core Procurement Process. Six conference speakers presented integrated automated systems which captured all carbon and energy consumption. Common points raised were:  Sustainable product compliance/adherence/labelling IS a strategically important selling tool for all industries.  Truly sustainable procurement can be a very big pill to swallow.  There is potential conflict between sustainability teams and purchasing.  There is an explosion of environmental and social risks.  Multiplicity of regulations (depending on country, region).

© Higher Ed Services, 2012 Conclusion The conference highlighted a number of areas that we, as an profession, have to address in relation to Sustainable Procurement such as accounting for carbon emissions. This will impact on all areas of our business, especially budgeting, and will require serious Change Management.

© Higher Ed Services, 2012 Supplementary Information of Interest  Whilst in London I met with Andy Davies (Director of the LUPC) and Laura Compton (Head of membership) from the London Universities Purchasing Consortium.  One of the most interesting aspects was to learn that only approx 20% of the LUPC’s members utilise any form of electronic procurement practices.

© Higher Ed Services, 2012 Supplementary Information of Interest PURCHASING CONSORTIUM SOUTH AFRICA “PURCO”  In May and June 2010 the Global University Network for Innovation (GUNi), the International Association of Universities and the Association of African Universities jointly carried out a survey of higher education institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa. This was to determine what contribution the various institutions were making towards sustainable development.  This survey covered 73 higher education institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa..

© Higher Ed Services, 2012 Supplementary Information of Interest  Overall, there is some leadership commitment to sustainable development in African higher education institutions.  However, much more needs to be done.  There is a need to create a database of positive experiences and practices on sustainable development in African universities so that these can be shared by institutions across the continent.