procurement
carbon-clever buying!
Procurement (what is bought and where it is sourced from) plays a major role in determining your organisations carbon footprint. Your suppliers can also have a significant impact, so take measures to encourage them to adopt a lower carbon approach.
easy wins
Buy locally produced, seasonal organic produce. Local produce cuts down transport miles, seasonal produce reduces energy intensive storage and organic products avoid artificial pesticides and fertilisers that are dependent on oil.
Consider opportunities for exchanging materials, sharing assets and logistics with other organisations, instead of buying new resources and paying for waste to be disposed of. Instead of landfilling old IT equipment, ask if local community groups, schools etc. may be able to use it. For new opportunities (particularly in linking with local community groups) visit Community Recycling Network UK. Free advice and support is also available from the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP) see 'Further advice' below for more infromation.
Buy recycled products and recycle. Reuse (and recycle) products instead of buying new this reduces the need for and cost of raw materials and saves the energy (and carbon) already used to manufacture the product.
Reduce consumption and waste cut down on printing and save paper, ink and money. For further practical tips see Fair Shares, Fair Choice's ideas on engaging staff in 'be a workplace champ'.
further advice?
The National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP) is a free programme which brings together organisations from all sectors aimed at improving cross sectoral resource efficiency by exchanging materials, energy and water and sharing assets, logistics and expertise.
Envirowise offers free, independent advice and support on practical ways to minimise waste and reduce environmental impact.
making a longer term commitment
Make a commitment to buy local goods and services. The movement of goods has a major impact on CO2 emissions. Buying locally helps reduce transport related CO2 and supports local economies and communities. See our travel Carbon Action Plan for further related action.
Invest in the lower carbon option. When making investment decisions consider potential key carbon impacts and invest in the lower carbon option.
Make a commitment to purchase goods/services from suppliers who are actively pursuing a lower carbon approach. Your suppliers can have a big impact on your carbon footprint. Ask them what they are doing to lower their carbon footprint and encourage them to develop their own Carbon Action Plan! You can formalise this commitment by including carbon criteria into tender and contract documentation.
sources of further advice for local authorities:
The Nottingham Declaration Action Pack is a major resource intended to support local authorities in addressing climate change. See what support packages are available or call the Energy Saving Trust's information service for local authorities on 0870 241 2089.
Guidance for Local Authorities on Climate Change is also available from the Improvement and Development Agency for Local Government (IDeA) as part of the overall support they provide to Councils.
Businesses and organisations wanting to get advice on adapting to the impacts of climate change should contact Climate South West
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