Many of the impacts the University generates are not only on our estate and through our direct activities. They occur through the embedded environmental and social impacts generated in the production, sale and delivery of what we buy in.

The University spends approximately £50m a year on goods and services. This means we can have a significant influence on the sustainability performance of not just our suppliers but also what they provide to us.

The University is working to ensure we can select suppliers that have high sustainability standards and also ensure that what they provide also meet strict sustainability criteria. We are applying the Government’s Flexible Framework as a means of implementing a good practice system and we are working with our suppliers to ensure they are able to adapt to our increasingly strict sustainability demands. Procurement & Business Services provide much guidance to help staff make more sustainable purchasing decisions. Refer to footer for details to find this on the University’s Staff Portal.

One example where we have made significant impact and improved the service offer is through the collaborative sustainable procurement work we have done with our caterers. By working with our food outlets we have improved the welfare standards of meat and eggs, sourced sustainable fish (winning a MSC award for our actions) increased organic and locally sourced ingredients, provided healthy meal options and ensured that our institution and our caterers meet the Fair Trade Standard.  The Food tab provides greater detail. We have been an accredited Fair Trade University between 2011-2019 and are working towards reaccreditation under the new assessment scheme in 2022 and since 2015 all our catering outlets have been Food for Life Gold certified.

 

Instructions to locate University’s sustainable procurement guidelines:- please follow carefully.

Log into Staff Portal-Select ‘Support Tab’-in the ‘Plans, Policies & Procedures’ box select ‘Finance’-Click ‘Finance,Procedures and Regulations’ link-Select ‘Procurement & Payments’-Under the ‘Procurement Department Header’ select ‘Procurement Department’ Hyperlink-On left hand column select ‘Procurement Information for Staff’ to see a list with ‘Sustainable Procurement’ included-Select relevant sustainable procurement support requirement.