Taking responsibility for sustainable development means that for every purchase, we explore whether and how we can contribute to it. In all phases of the procurement process, we consider both environmental aspects, such as circularity and CO2 reduction, and social aspects, such as stimulating social return. We also consider the impact of a contribution.
With sustainable procurement, the EUR aims to increase, accelerate and make measurable the positive social impact. Themes Sustainable Procurement
For Sustainable Procurement, we focus on six themes at EUR:
- Climate. Combating climate change has the highest priority, and our main approach to do so is by reducing CO2 emissions. Sustainable Procurement contributes to CO2 reduction, the energy transition and sustainable mobility.
- Circularity. Contributing to a circular economy by reducing (primary) raw material consumption, high-quality reuse of raw materials and materials, optimising the lifespan and zero waste. We apply the R-ladder for circular procurement.
- Supply Chain responsibility. Preventing or tackling abuses related to working conditions, human rights and the environment in accordance with the OECD guidelines.
- Diversity and inclusion. A diverse and inclusive collaboration in which everyone is treated and assessed on what they can do and not on who they are. Realising equal opportunities, accessibility of buildings and education.
- Social Return. Offering fair opportunities to people with a distance to the labour market with the aim of contributing to a diverse and inclusive society.
- Environment and biodiversity. Further developing a green campus, focusing on climate adaptation, stimulating biodiversity and maintaining a healthy living environment.
All these themes are in line with EUR's strategy, the ambitions of the Sustainability Programme and linked to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
Ambitions and guiding objectives
The six aforementioned themes for Sustainable Procurement have been plotted in an ambition web, prioritising the six themes. In addition, mid-term (2026) and long-term (2030) goals have been drawn up, which can be worked towards in a targeted manner. These objectives provide direction for each ambition within the theme. The positioning on the ambition web is tested for each tender.
The social goals that are pursued through Sustainable Procurement have already been partly laid down in, among other things, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the various climate agreement (Paris, Rotterdam), the Jobs Agreement, the Raw Materials Agreement, and the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises.
Application of Sustainable Procurement within the EUR
In addition to the ambitions, the Guiding Framework defines seven leading principles to give substance to Sustainable Procurement and thus implement sustainable procurement (per tender). One of the leading principles for Sustainable Procurement is that the contract owner is responsible for including sustainability in the tender assignment description and then linking ambitions, objectives and standards to this.
A tool that is used for European tenders is conducting ambition sessions in which the prioritization in the field of sustainability is mapped out. In this way, the Procurement department supports the tender team in addressing Sustainable Procurement and mapping out the opportunities in this area.
How do we implement Sustainable Procurement?
Sustainable development does not stop at listing ambitions and formulating guiding objectives. It is also important to take actions to realize these ambitions and guiding objectives. In addition, sustainability is a continuous process of acquiring ideas, reasoning and implementing them again in order to continue to make progress. We actively invite tender teams to think along and provide input for the opportunities in the field of sustainability.
