Sustainable procurement of innovation is more than just a purchasing strategy—it’s a powerful tool for driving systemic change and tackling global challenges. By incorporating sustainability and innovation into procurement practices, organizations can align their operational goals with environmental, social, and economic priorities.

What strategic procurement decisions look like

Strategic purchasing decisions are about moving beyond the traditional focus on price, quality, and quantity. They involve making intentional choices that align with broader sustainability goals—environmental, social, and economic—while also fostering innovation.

Here is what it could look like in practice:

• Prioritizing Sustainable Products and Services. Choosing eco-friendly, socially responsible, and economically efficient products. Choose suppliers that offer products designed for reuse or repair—helping to reduce waste and support a circular economy.
• Opting for Long-Term, Value-Driven Contracts. Instead of making decisions based solely on the lowest bid, strategic purchasing involves considering the long-term value. Look at the total cost of ownership, life-cycle costing, over the life of a product or service rather than just the upfront price.
• Leveraging Innovation to Drive Sustainability. Strategic purchasing encourages looking for innovative solutions that not only meet needs but also drive sustainability progress.
• Partnering with Suppliers Who Share Sustainability Values. Selecting suppliers aligned with sustainability goals and fostering long-term partnerships. When selecting vendors, include sustainability criteria in the tender process

Leveraging Innovation to Drive Sustainability is the focus of our last insight. This decision is critical for organisations looking to make a significant impact on sustainability, as it centers around fostering the development and adoption of innovative solutions that address environmental and social challenges.

This guide introduces the “identify–check the market–drive the market” cycle, a straightforward framework for advancing the sustainable procurement of innovation.

Why this insight?

Understanding the critical areas for success in sustainable procurement of innovation is essential for transforming procurement from a transactional process into a strategic tool for positive change. By focusing on these areas, organisations can create a clear roadmap to address sustainability challenges while fostering innovation that delivers real impact. This approach enables procurement to go beyond cost considerations, emphasizing solutions that generate environmental, social, and economic value. It equips procurers with the ability to align with meeting sustainability goals, driving progress toward a more sustainable future through thoughtful, innovative decision-making.

Sustainable procurement of innovation is more than just a strategy—it’s an opportunity to create real, lasting change. Through our work with this project, we have been able to demonstrate how procurement can be a powerful tool for driving sustainability in healthcare. Our focus has been on collaborating with key stakeholders to identify critical sustainability needs and engage with the market to explore innovative solutions. By aligning our efforts with the right suppliers and understanding market capabilities, we’ve laid the groundwork for sustainable procurement practices that can transform healthcare systems.

If you liked this article and want to know more, don’t miss the Procure4Health Insight #8: A practical guide to advancing sustainable procurement of innovation. It can be found on the Procure4Health Community platform.

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