Fairtrade and Sustainable Procurement
The Fairtrade Committee was set up in 2006 in order to lead the introduction of Fairtrade products into the University. During National Fairtrade Fortnight 2007 the University was granted full Fairtrade Status. Since 2006 time annual reviews by the Fairtrade Foundation have confirmed status.
As a response to the need to consider Sustainable Procurement in a more holistic and systematic way the Fairtrade Committee became part of the Fairtrade and Sustainable procurement Committee in spring 2010. The committee is part of the Environmental and Sustainability Management Structure and reports to Sustainability Strategic Management Group.
The Terms of reference for the Committee are:
- Uphold the University’s Fairtrade policy
- Ensure that enhancement of Fairtrade principles result in continuous improvement and on-going Fairtrade Status
- Expand procurement of Fairtrade products beyond existing categories (eg. garments)
- Formulate a sustainable procurement policy for the University
- Establish Best Practice principles for the University
- Ensure the principles of Sustainable Procurement are embedded within the University’s procurement policies, procedures and staff development activities
- Propose methodologies for evaluating the environmental impact of the procurement lifecycle
- Review the impact of all major procurement activities and propose a timescales for periodic review
- Propose monitoring procedures to ensure all procurement activities are carried out in line with Sustainable Procurement principles
A draft Sustainable Procurement Policy is under development, which will aim to integrate sustainable procurement best practice into all university purchasing activities.
The University will use the Flexible Framework as the basis for moving this agenda forward and an action plan has been created to support achievement of Level 1 on the Framework.
The Flexible Framework was developed by the Government’s Sustainable Procurement Task Force for all Public Sector bodies and is outlined in ‘Procuring the Future’: the Sustainable Procurement National Action Plan.