Timeline: The procurement journey to net zero

Every industry in the world has the eyes of its consumers and stakeholders watching them, as the move to net-zero is no longer a mere extra merit, but an absolute necessity. 

2015: Mars Inc. procurement to “change what we buy or where we buy it” to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 

Since 2015, Mars has:

• Decreased its direct emissions by 31% 
• Cut its emissions by 7.3% across its value chain

This year, Mars laid out plans to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by the middle of the century.

2017: Concrete clean law

Cement, an ingredient of concrete, is responsible for 8% of global CO2 emissions.

In 2017, the state of California adopted a ‘Buy Clean’ law. The Low Embodied Carbon Concrete Leadership Acts (LECCLA) is a procurement bill which requires all state agencies and departments to factor in climate impact in their selection criteria for concrete procurement.

2021: Highway to net zero

A net zero plan from Highways England will concentrate on driving a low carbon supply chain through its procurement power.

"We’re only going to achieve this in conjunction with our supply base. So we have to work very closely with, and support and change, as rapidly as we are asking others to change," said Malcolm Dare, Executive Director, Commercial and Procurement, Highways England.

2021: Procurement reforms from The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) 

In the pursuit of net zero, The Civil Engineering Contractors Association has called for an end to awarding contracts to the lowest bidder - and instead demanded a pledge to future contracts being awarded to those who qualify as the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT).

2021: DeepStream helps businesses reach for net zero

IT services company DeepStream is dedicated to transforming buyer-to-supplier communication and transactions and has endeavoured to help businesses reach net zero.

"Sustainability isn’t just about energy and climate change. For us, evaluating suppliers means everything from how suppliers treat wastewater, to their industrial processes, and how they manage their supply chain. It also includes supplier’s ethical standards," said Oystein Torlen, Supply Chain Director, Altera Infrastructure.