Purpose

This policy aims to establish a shared understanding of Sustainable Procurement within GITAM Deemed to be University and to emphasize the importance of social and environmental responsibility in the decision-making process of University personnel when making purchases.

Definition of sustainability

Sustainability is defined as "Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." This definition pertains to decisions having an impact on the future economy, environment, or society, extending beyond traditional "green" purchasing practices.

Policy statement

GITAM is committed to sustainable procurement practices that consider environmental, social, and economic factors in all purchasing decisions. Our approach to procurement aligns with our overarching sustainability goals.

Key principles

By implementing a policy of sustainable purchasing, GITAM recognizes the following principles

• Purchasing activities have a fundamental role in minimizing environmental impact and managing risks
• Investment decisions delivered through the purchasing process must establish resilient infrastructure and supply chains to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
• Economic, environmental, and social objectives in purchasing activities cannot be viewed in isolation.

Key objectives

This Sustainable Procurement policy aims to demonstrate GITAM’s commitment to sustainability by

• Procuring goods and services that provide long-term value for both the University and society.
• Selecting goods that are manufactured, delivered, used, and disposed of in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.
• Supporting local and regional businesses to contribute to a stronger and more vibrant local economy.
• Serving as a model for sustainable environmental and social purchasing within our community of consumers and vendors.
• Comply with all relevant legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Promote sustainable awareness and assessment among suppliers and contractors.
• Procure sustainable products and services.
• Reduce the environmental sustainability impacts of construction and refurbishment projects.
• Include environmental, economic, and social aspects when specifying specific goods or services.
• Include sustainable criteria when evaluating offers from potential suppliers.
• Promote awareness of sustainable issues and considerations within the user community.
• Develop measures of our sustainable practice using sector standards.
• Use the measures developed to monitor sustainable practice with a view to seeking continual improvement.
• Use the results of the monitored practice to benchmark our performance against similar organizations.
• Analyze benchmarked performance to identify areas of practice for improvement.

Implementation

GITAM will assess central contracts to ensure they meet criteria related to corporate governance, financial robustness, innovation capacity, business integrity, ethics, equality, and diversity, as well as environmental considerations. Contracts for services will also consider working conditions and fair wages. Further guidance on sustainable procurement will be available on GITAM’s Procurement Services webpage

This Sustainable Procurement Policy underscores GITAM’s commitment to responsible, ethical, and sustainable procurement practices, aligning with our vision for a brighter, more sustainable future.