Supply chain efficiency

There's no legal requirement for you to purchase sustainably, or to buy sustainable goods and services, but it could help you to:

• reduce your impact on the environment
• address social issues and improve the livelihoods of individuals and communities
• improve your business' reputation
• save money over the life of a product or service

Advantages of sustainable purchasing for your business

Sustainable procurement can help your business to:

• save money by reducing waste and choosing energy and water efficient products
• win work where buyers ask for evidence of environmental and social management
• protect your reputation with staff, customers and the public
• reduce risk by tracking changes to environmental rules that affect what you buy
• attract lenders or investors who consider environmental and ethical performance

If you’re investing in plant or equipment, consider capital allowance options (including annual investment allowance and full expensing for companies).

You can also check Invest NI support to reduce waste and save energy.

Environmental and social benefits of sustainable purchasing

By buying sustainable goods and services you can:

• cut carbon emissions by reducing energy use and choosing renewable energy where it works for you
• save natural resources by buying recycled or lower-impact materials
• reduce waste by choosing products that can be reused, repaired or recycled
• support communities by buying locally where possible and using fairly traded goods where relevant

Get a free sustainability report

All Northern Ireland businesses with an annual energy and resource spend of more than £30k can get a free assessment of their environmental performance across areas such as raw materials, energy, carbon, packaging, biodiversity and waste - find out more about Invest NI Sustainability Reports.