In 2015, the United Nations established 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to secure a sustainable life on earth for everyone now and in the future. The 12th SDG - Responsible Consumption and Production - is to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. Promotion of sustainable procurement practice s is set under Target 12.7.
UN officials have estimated that by 2050 the world population will reach 9.8 billion and if the current consumption rate of developed countries continues, the human race will then require “three Earths” for self-sustenance. These projections highlight that the current production and consumption patterns cannot be sustained for a balanced advancement of economic prosperity, environmental sustainability and social inclusiveness.
Sustainable procurement is no longer a nice-to-have direction for companies. In 2017, a new ISO 20400:2017 Sustainable Procurement Guidance standard was also released to provide guidance on implementing sustainable procurement. The global consumer marketplace increasingly not only looks for companies acting responsibly in their own management and operations, but has extended attention and consideration to supply chain partners.
Green Council is inviting companies to participate in our Sustainable Procurement Charter as a means to develop, document and implement Sustainable Procurement with reference to ISO 20400.