Coalition for Sustainable Procurement: A Catalyst for Change

Launched in June, the UN's Coalition for Sustainable Procurement has now convened for the first time and formally launched its plans.

The coalition is aiming to help companies move from promises to climate action, providing resilient growth and sustainability initiatives.

The first meeting coincided with the issuing of its first publication, Procurement: A Catalyst for Sustainable Growth and Resilience.

What is the Coalition for Sustainable Procurement?

The Coalition for Sustainable Procurement is led by UN Global Compact, the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative, with more than 20,000 business participants. 

Companies from around the world, including those based in both developed and developing countries, come together to fight for higher standards in business.

It serves as an attempt to align strategies and operations which focus on the environment, human rights and labour.

The coalition includes a range of companies dedicated to the practical implementation of sustainability into procurement. Its founding members are: Altus Power, Inc., BBVA, Concept 4 Limited, Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd., Intrepid Travel, JDE Peet's N.V., KPMG, Outokumpu Oyj, PPC Group, ReNew Pvt Ltd., S&P Global Inc., Safaricom PLC, Schneider Electric SE, Vita Forte Inc. and Watch and Jewellery Initiative 2030.

Ultimately, the group represents a new era of collaboration in relation to responsible sourcing, supplier decarbonisation and the diversification of global value chains. 

Its first forum focused on the need for a high-level public-private dialogue, bringing together CPOs, policymakers, ministers and sustainability leaders for a discussion on frameworks and criteria. 

Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the United Nations Global Compact, explains: "The UN Global Compact has launched the Coalition for Sustainable Procurement, a global network committed to aligning and standardising procurement frameworks, sharing actionable strategies and driving measurable improvements in supply chain sustainability.

"By convening chief procurement officers, supply chain leaders and sustainability experts, we are building a collective movement to integrate sustainability into procurement and sourcing practices worldwide."

Inaugural report

The coalition's inaugural report outlines the importance of collaboration in businesses, with a focus on buyers, suppliers and SMEs. 

It maps what sustainable procurement currently looks like, exploring success stories as well as gaps and emerging trends.

Using case studies, it provides examples to other organisations as to how they can make more sustainable purchasing decisions, build more resilient supply chains, increase transparency and strengthen engagement with suppliers. 

The publication explores how businesses can implement sustainability throughout the procurement lifecycle and how procurement can be used as a strategic lever in advancing ESG policies amid shifting landscapes. It includes 40 tools and frameworks, as well as case studies, to emphasise how companies can make tangible change. 

Collaboration for change

Sanda goes on to explain that collaboration and partnership are "central to our mission".

She adds: "Progress requires honest dialogue between business and government, between buyers and suppliers, between large enterprises and SMEs.

"By building trust, sharing knowledge and co-developing practical resources, we can overcome persistent barriers – such as limited resources, traceability gaps and knowledge silos – and unlock shared solutions for sustainable procurement." 

The coalition has set three priorities for future action points. 

• Platform for public-private collaboration: Supply chain leaders can bring in data and challenges to help generate insights and form new policies.
• Common direction and practical guidance: Shared tools help weigh impacts against cost to encourage more informed decisions
• Translating dialogue into action: Create a space where discussions can be transformed into genuine advancements in sustainable procurement

The coalition report concludes: "Ultimately, the future of sustainable procurement hinges on a collaborative approach between businesses, governments and stakeholders.

"The shift is no longer about if companies should prioritise sustainability, but about how they can effectively integrate it into their core business strategies and build long-term value."

By creating a platform for discussion and bringing together business leaders, the coalition carries the potential to create discernible change in the realm of sustainable procurement.