About Us
Sustainability at EcoVate
Tackling Climate Change at EcoVate
Tackling climate change and driving sustainability is fundamental for our planet. We must act now as we are responsible for not only our current needs but that of future generations.
EcoVate’s greatest impact on climate change and sustainability is through our services and advice to clients. Now, more than ever governments, cities and businesses face growing challenges and need to integrate carbon reduction targets and sustainability principles into risk management, business strategy and decision-making.
At EcoVate, we are committed to creating a better, greener, low carbon world and building a sustainable future for all.
Our Approach and Values
EcoVate is committed to curbing climate change, both in our own activities and in the work that we undertake for our clients. As we strive to ensure our clients achieve their business goals, we also contribute to advancing the green transition and to produce an overall positive impact on the society and the environment.
Our approach is in line with social value commitments, and their themes, outcomes and measures (TOMs). This includes Tackling Economic Inequality and Fighting Climate Change.
We support the delivery of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), both through our daily business operations and by working with our clients to address the issues that are material to them.
Our approach is to embed sustainability in our services and advice to clients, in our operations, and in the communities in which we work.
Our journey to reach Net-Zero
EcoVate is committed to achieving net-zero status, and our Carbon Reduction Plan outlines our commitment to define, monitor and review meaningful progress to reduce our carbon footprint to zero and below. It is vital that we understand the sources of all emissions from our business, both direct and indirect. The commitment to achieve net zero is a fundamental element of EcoVate’s Business Plan and is being driven by our Senior Management and employees.
The results of EcoVate’s baseline emissions’ calculation are considered low, within the context of our organisation’s size and industry.
EcoVate’s unique business model, as well as a number of core principles and initiatives, enable us to proceed with our journey towards reducing our carbon footprint (directly and indirectly), these include:
-
Investment in technology and digital excellence - developments in artificial intelligence to enable digital transformation.
-
Promoting work-life balance and remote working - utilising a suite of software tools to ensure collaborative remote working while reducing the carbon emissions associated with travelling to a workplace or a client office. This supports our commitment to work-life balance for our staff and in turn, supports our staff’s health and well-being.
-
Training and continued career development opportunities to our employees, to increase employment and competency levels in our profession.
-
Supporting clients with PSDS and other grant applications, ESCO project development and client-side project management, and energy guarantee performance assessment under IPMVP.
-
Sourcing and implementing sustainable business equipment and products for our staff and clients, such as the reusable Ocean Bottles, which significantly contribute to the reduction of plastic waste in our oceans.Sourcing and implementing sustainable business equipment and products for our staff and clients, such as the reusable Ocean Bottles, which significantly contribute to the reduction of plastic waste in our oceans.
Sourcing and implementing sustainable business equipment and products for our staff and clients, such as the reusable Ocean Bottles, which significantly contribute to the reduction of plastic waste in our oceans.
Sustainable Development Goals
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets were created by the United Nations in 2015 to provide common, achievable aspirations which act as a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all”.
At EcoVate, our operations are primarily focused on ‘combatting climate change’, ‘promoting the development of sustainable cities and communities’, ‘gender equality’, ‘decent work and economic growth’ and ‘sustainable industry, innovation and infrastructure’. But more specifically to our offerings, address the need to “Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns” through 11 different targets, one of which is target 12.7, which aims to “Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities.”
Sustainability in Procurement
Procurement professionals play a key role in contributing to tackling climate change and sustainable development through focussed market engagement, specification development, evaluation of bids and the award of sustainability-focused contracts.. Here’s how carbon reduction and sustainability is typically being considered and why it is important:
-
Supplier Selection and Evaluation: Procurement teams are increasingly evaluating suppliers not only based on cost and quality, but also on their carbon reduction progress and sustainability practices. This includes assessing suppliers' environmental impact, social value, and innovation.
-
Sustainable Sourcing: Procurement teams are actively seeking out sustainable alternatives for goods and services. This includes sourcing products made from recycled materials, using renewable energy sources, and choosing suppliers with certified sustainable practices. Sustainable sourcing not only reduces environmental impacts, but also promotes innovation and creates market demand for sustainable products.
-
Lifecycle Assessments: Organisations are conducting lifecycle / circular economy assessments to understand the environmental impacts of products and services throughout their entire lifecycle, from raw material extraction to disposal. This helps in identifying opportunities for reducing resource consumption, minimising waste generation, and improving overall sustainability performance.
-
Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management: Procurement teams are ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and standards to mitigate legal and reputational risks. This includes staying updated on changing regulations related to sustainability, such as restrictions on hazardous substances, carbon emissions reporting requirements, and labour standards.
-
Cost Savings and Efficiency: Incorporating sustainability into procurement practices can lead to cost savings and efficiency improvements in the long run. For example, investing in energy-efficient equipment and renewable energy sources can reduce operational costs and reliance on non-renewable sources, such as fossil fuels. Additionally, reducing waste generation and optimising resource use can lower production costs and enhance resource efficiency.
-
Stakeholder Expectations and Reputation: Consumers, investors, and other stakeholders are increasingly demanding transparency and accountability regarding sustainability practices. Procurement teams play a crucial role in meeting these expectations by ensuring that the products and services sourced align with sustainability goals. Building a reputation for sustainability can enhance brand value, attract investors, and foster customer loyalty.
Incorporating sustainability into procurement practices is important for organisations to mitigate risks, drive innovation, enhance efficiency, meet stakeholder expectations, and contribute to long-term environmental and social well-being. By integrating carbon reduction and sustainability considerations into procurement decisions, organisations can create value not only for themselves but also for the current and future society as a whole.
Procurement and Social Value Requirements
In the United Kingdom, carbon reduction and sustainability considerations in procurement practices are closely linked to legislative frameworks such as the Public Contracts Regulations, the Social Value Act and the Procurement Act:
Public Contracts Regulations PCR 2015:
-
The PCR govern public sector procurement in the UK and provide a framework with which public authorities conduct procurement processes.
-
The regulations emphasise the importance of considering environmental, social, and labour law factors when awarding public contracts.
-
By incorporating sustainability criteria into tender specifications and evaluation criteria, public authorities can ensure that contracts are awarded to suppliers who offer the best overall value, taking into account financial, quality and sustainability considerations.
Social Value Act 2012:
-
The Social Value Act requires public authorities in England and Wales to consider how procurement processes can contribute to the economic, social, and environmental well-being of their communities.
-
Procurement teams are encouraged to assess the broader social and environmental impacts of their purchasing decisions, beyond simply obtaining the best price.
-
Social value considerations may include factors such as job creation, skills development, support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and community engagement.
-
By prioritising suppliers that offer social value benefits, public authorities can leverage procurement as a tool for driving positive social change and promoting inclusive economic growth.
-
The National TOMs – Themes, Outcomes and Measures – is a framework for measuring and reporting social value. It is a solution for the Social Value Act, which has evolved into a social value measurement standard across the UK.
Procurement Act 2023:
-
Social value: The Act requires contracting authorities to consider social value when awarding contracts. This includes ensuring fair contract prices, ethical standards, and compliance with International Labour Organisation conventions (ILO).
-
Environmental impact: The Act encourages minimising negative environmental impacts across the entire lifecycle of goods and services.
-
Reporting: The Act introduces new sustainability reporting duties for major projects.
-
Shift from MEAT to MAT: The Act shifts the focus from the "Most Economically Advantageous Tender" (MEAT) to the "Most Advantageous Tender" (MAT), highlighting the new flexibility to decide the focus of each what “advantageous” means in each individual tender.
The linkage between sustainability and UK procurement legislation highlights the importance of considering environmental and social value in procurement practices. By leveraging the provisions of the above legislation organisations can enhance their ability to achieve sustainability goals, meet carbon reduction obligations and deliver social value to their communities. Additionally, integrating sustainability and social value considerations into procurement practices can help organisations demonstrate their commitment to responsible business practices, and contribute to building a more sustainable and equitable society.