UK organisations are under increasing pressure from regulators, investors, and customers to demonstrate responsible sourcing, environmental stewardship, and social accountability. Yet, for many procurement teams, embedding sustainability into everyday processes can feel challenging. From complex supply chains to cost pressures, several barriers can slow progress.
At Accelerate, our team of experienced procurement consultants work with businesses to identify practical solutions that make sustainable procurement achievable, measurable, and impactful.
Common barriers to sustainable procurement
1. Limited visibility across the supply chain
Procurement teams often struggle to trace environmental and social impact across multiple tiers of suppliers. Without clear visibility, it’s difficult to assess sustainability performance or identify areas for improvement.
2. Cost pressures and budget constraints
Sustainable products or services can sometimes appear more expensive upfront, making it challenging to balance environmental priorities with financial targets.
3. Lack of internal alignment
Sustainability initiatives require collaboration across functions, from finance to operations. Without buy-in from senior leadership and cross-department support, sustainable procurement initiatives can stall.
4. Complexity and compliance
Regulatory frameworks, reporting requirements, and industry standards are constantly evolving. Procurement teams can struggle to stay compliant while implementing practical sustainability measures.
Actionable solutions businesses can take
1. Map and monitor your supply chain
Start with supplier mapping to gain a clear view of the environmental and social footprint at every level. At a basic level, tools like supplier scorecards, audits, and reporting dashboards can provide actionable insights and highlight areas for improvement.
2. Integrate sustainability into supplier selection
Include environmental, ethical, and social criteria in tendering and contract evaluation. Collaborate with suppliers to encourage innovation, such as energy-efficient production or sustainable packaging.
3. Embed sustainability in policies and KPIs
Ensure sustainability is part of procurement policies, objectives, and performance metrics. Align internal stakeholders around measurable targets, so progress is tracked and reported consistently.
4. Leverage technology and data
Digital procurement platforms and analytics can streamline sustainability reporting, monitor compliance, and highlight risks. Data-driven insights help procurement teams make informed, responsible decisions without compromising efficiency.
5. Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing
Share best practices internally and with suppliers. Training sessions, workshops, and supplier forums can build a culture of shared responsibility and continuous improvement.
The benefits of sustainable procurement
By overcoming these barriers, businesses can realise multiple benefits: reduced environmental impact, stronger supplier relationships, enhanced brand reputation, and long-term cost savings. Sustainable procurement isn’t just ethical, it’s strategic.
At Accelerate Procurement, we help organisations embed sustainability into procurement strategies, providing practical tools and guidance to overcome obstacles and drive measurable impact. When sustainability becomes part of the procurement DNA, businesses not only comply with expectations, they thrive.