Procurement and in particular Sustainable Procurement, is one of the key drivers of change in any institution and is increasingly becoming a key mechanism for policy delivery and cost reduction. All public procurement in the UK is required to achieve value for money and is governed by the public procurement rule to ensure that it is fair and open. Universities and colleges in the UK spend millions of pounds each year undertaking capital projects and buying goods and services. Increasingly, institutions are making their spending decisions in a sustainable way and many are adopting sustainable and socially responsible procurement policies.
Institutions that have a sustainable procurement strategy are taking their commitment a significant step forward, outlining their commitment to making spending decisions in a way that achieves both value for money on a whole life cycle basis, as well as wider economic, social and environmental benefits.
If you would like to connect with other EAUC members interested in fair trade, join the EAUC's Fair Trade Community of Practice. This group is for EAUC members only. Find out more.
EAUC-Scotland's Sustainable Procurement Topic Support Network (TSN) is open to all, providing an opportunity for those working in or with the further and higher education sector to share ideas and questions and to get together to hear from particular speakers or discuss topics of interest. Find out more about the TSNs here.
Sustainability Leadership Scorecard (SLS) Annual Report 2020
How to make a cup of (sustainabili) tea!
Catering for Life
Changing for good
Small changes for significant impact on sustainability
Drastic and fantastic plastic reduction
Nudge LSE to plant-based options
City grows green
Cup, cup “n” away!
The Sustain Supply Chain Code of Conduct has been collaboratively developed and reviewed by the Sustain Project, members including APUC, LUPC, HEPA, EAUC, various HE/FE...
This webinar explores the ways in which Electronics Watch supports compliance with the Modern Slavery Act. Harpreet Kaur Paul, UK Representative, Electronics Watch together...
Aston University - Ethical Investment Policy
Awareness of climate change is at its highest ever and continues to grow, as are pledges to tackle a climate emergency by countries, companies and Universities. With an...
The Salix ‘Love our Colleges’ webinar is aiming to support colleges in England and Wales with their energy efficiency projects, resulting in a wide range of benefits...
Following on from last year's successful Cup of tea and an SDG series, timed to celebrate Global Goals Week, this year we once again brought you some brilliant SDG...
'Our Sustainable Food Journey’, a report on the University of Cambridge’s Sustainable Food Policy, in particular quantifying the impact this has had since its...
Presented by Mark Durdin of Cardiff University and Stuart Bowman of Breathe Energy – this joint presentation of our project plan that mapped out how Breathe supported...
Reaching further in LiFE: Making personal finance accessible
Strategic approach to the selection and procurement of construction materials and products
Report of the Expert Panel on Environmental Charging and Other Measures: Recommendations on Single-use Disposable Beverage Cups
Through a case study of Circular Economy office furniture, this workshop showed how disruptive sustainable business models are saving Institutions money, reducing their...
The University of Cambridge Sustainable Food Policy was launched two years ago, and has been widely recognised for its innovative approach (including with a Green Gown Award!),...
Palm oil and palm oil derivatives are ubiquitous within food-stuffs, cleaning products, cosmetics and the supply chain of these items
Sustainability: our sector’s current best chance of responding to the urgent demands of climate science – new report A cross-sector partnership advocating for...
A sanitary support scheme to provide free menstrual products with the aim of eliminating period poverty in Scotland
The University of Glasgow have been using Warp It to reuse and recycle items in their institute. Initially the university used Warp It for their internal process...
City - University of London Fairtrade Fortnight initiatives
Single-use items are currently en vogue, but what is the evidence behind ​actions to limit their use?
The University of Edinburgh's Social Responsibility and Sustainability Department have published the institutions progress since 2012. The 2017-18 Report is now...
On 21st February 2019 EAUC-Scotland held a webinar to focus on Sustainable Procurement and the SDGs with Electronics Watch. This was held in partnership with...
Palm Oil and Biodiversity Webinar
Integrating Food into Urban Planning
EAUC-Scotland's virtual 'Sustainability Sharing Series' October 2018 edition discussed Influencing Sustainable Food Choices. We have produced a best...
Reuse at Leeds
Building Pathways to Zero Carbon in Higher Education
The EAUC-Scotland 2018 Conference, A Decade of Progress, celebrated successes from the decade past, and visioned the decade ahead, to coincide with the EAUC-Scotland...
The EAUC-Scotland 2018 Conference, A Decade of Progress, celebrated successes from the decade past, and visioned the decade ahead, to coincide with the EAUC-Scotland...
Looking to engage with your Information Technology Department on sustainability? Find more information through the Sustainability Engagement Guide
Looking to engage with your Finance Department on sustainability? Find more information through the Sustainability Engagement Guide
Looking to engage with your Catering Department on sustainability? Find more information through the Sustainability Engagement Guide
Many institutions struggle to implement an institution-wide programme for recycling and reusing their electronic waste. University of the Highlands and Islands’ Perth...
The benefits of introducing a joint role between the Catering Department and Sustainability Team.
Sustain It Bottle
Reusable Cup Race
Taste Hallam!
Campus compost collaboration
Campus Community Fridge – the first UK university community fridge
Ditch disposables at King’s
Making the case for investment in sustainable buildings presents a significant challenge in the face of budgetary and teaching pressures.
On 13th June 2018, the Sustainable Procurement Topic Support Network met to discuss sustainable food procurement. The agenda included: Food Procurement...
The University of St Andrews released a Sustainable food Policy and a Sustainable food action plan in 2018. They are both available to download from here. The details of...
Embedding Sustainability within University procurement – pioneers, pitfalls, priorities
EAUC and AUDE are delighted to launch guidance for the education sector on how to calculate Scope 3 carbon emissions. EAUC and AUDE are committed to supporting the sector....
The Electronics Watch Policy Briefs offer insights and ideas on issues related to socially responsible and sustainable public procurement based on Electronics Watch’s...
Electronics Watch held Knowing & Showing Your Supply Chain webinar in February 2018. This is the first of a series of Electronics Watch webinars, free and intended...
This 30-minute masterclass from Edie will break down how organisations can effectively align their sustainability strategies with the UN’s Sustainable Development...
On the 28th November 2017 EAUC-Scotland hosted a webinar exploring the disposable cup challenge. This was held with contributions from Michael Lenaghan, Environmental Analyst at...
Advanced Procurement for Universities and Colleges Scotland (APUC) provide Responsible Procurement and Supply Chain Guides for relevant procurement streams. These...
Project Fairtrade - Making a world of difference at UWE Bristol
Making the right choice easy - Tasty food with a lower environmental impact
Power of the purse: Responsible procurement that reaches our people, projects and partners
The session gave an in-depth overview into the impact that food choices have on our health, environment and communities and how institutions have the power to positively...
Leicester: Talkin’ bout our evolution
Zero by 2040 – The University of Edinburgh’s climate strategy
Going above and beyond!
Continually greening Goldsmiths
Building a sustainable future: From start to beginning
Embedding sustainability at Aston University
The Public Bodies Climate Change Duties came into play in 2016 with annual reports due each November. The universities and colleges of Scotland are supported by SSN and the...
A look at the 'Wider Influence' section of the Scottish Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Reporting which is due each year on 30 November
On Wednesday 30th August 2017, the Sustainable Procurement Topic Support Network met to receive updates from the Sustainable Procurement Leaders Group and HEPA National...
Introduction to Sustainable New Product Development (S-NPD) provides guidance for those involved in NPD and product design who wish to improve the sustainability of their...
The Scottish FHE sector submitted their reports for the first year of the required Public Bodies Climate Change Duties. The EAUC-Scotland have produced a analysis report with...
“With the introduction of the UK’s Modern Slavery Act (MSA), commercial organisations with a turnover of £36 million or more are required to produce an annual...
This workshop presentation is from the “Global Goals: Local Action” EAUC Annual Conference 2017, presented by Jamie Agombar, Head of Sustainability - National Union...
Resources from the 'Building Socially Responsible Institutions' from the EAUC-Scotland Conference 2017.
Presentation from the 'Building Socially Responsible Institutions' Summit at the EAUC-Scotland 2017.
The Journey of Food is an interactive 30 minute eLearning module, developed by Cloud Sustainability in partnership with Veris.
University of Edinburgh's policy on the Modern Slavery Act and also a piece of research on modern slavery and universities -...
All 44 Universities and Colleges in Scotland have become full affiliate members of Electronics Watch, facilitated via their membership of APUC.
Jon Gilbert, Sustainability Support Officer, Bournemouth University emailed the Members’ network to ask, “At Bournemouth we are in the process of developing a...
This briefing document from VWR relates to reducing carbon emissions, resource efficiency and sustainable procurement.
While sustainable procurement is no easy task, it is becoming increasingly important to higher education institutions in the UK, and is now a tenet of UK public sector...
Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium Sustainability Statement February 2016
Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium Policy on Working with Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME’s) February 2016
Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement February 2016
In 2012, NUS asked students about what they understood Fairtrade to mean, as well as how important it was to them, where they get their Fairtrade clothing from, and what they...
It has been widely acknowledged that the way we manufacture and consume goods through the traditional industrial economy puts significant pressure on the earth’s resources.
The Sustainable Procurement TSN met on the 3rd October 2016 to discuss a number of social issues related to procurement. Topics included: The Modern Slavery Act The...
Matt Dunlop, Head of Sustainability, Newcastle University emailed the Members' network and the British Association of Cleaning in Higher Education (BACHE)...
A report commissioned by Nottingham Trent University’s business support project, 'Working with you' and part funded by ERDF. "As Nottingham’s largest...
Nottingham City Council's draft specification for a joint sustainable taxi tender with fellow Nottingham organisations.
University of Reading award Air Liquide UK drinks dispense gas contract.
Love Food Hate Waste - Moving On and Moving Out Guide.
Fruit Routes Recipes and Guide to Fruit and Foraging on Campus.
Fruit Routes Map and Guide to Fruit and Foraging on Campus.
Greenwich’s recipe for success Our initiative uses the collaborative potential of all those with a relationship with food to ensure Greenwich can deliver the most...
Cambridge, cups, compost: Vegware’s compostable disposables enabling zero waste catering Conventional takeaway packaging is challenging to recycle, with most going to...
University of Sheffield brings ‘superfresh’ milk to its campus A first of its kind collaboration between the University of Sheffield and Our Cow Molly to provide...
You are what you eat Nottingham Trent University (NTU) is one of the largest and most popular universities in the UK. Nearly 27,000 students study with us across three...