The Four Dimensions of Responsible Purchasing

27.4 Concluding thoughts The authors believe significant change by individuals and organisations is essential and urgent to promote ecological sustainability and social justice, and public procurement is potentially a vital force for such change. However, for the widespread growth of good practice a more positive framework of policy and incentive is required — locally, nationally and internationally. Despite constraints, where there is enthusiasm and interest among professionals, much can be achieved, and the CHE Model provides a safe and supportive environment to bring together personal values with professional practice on a journey towards potentially fundamental change in procurement practice. At the time of writing, the Scottish Parliament Procurement Office is making good progress towards its Phase 1 objectives: having reviewed selected contracts, staff are now finalising new policies, procedures and key performance indicators to embed responsible purchasing firmly within every stage of the procurement cycle, while also engaging with existing and potential suppliers to raise their awareness of the Parliament’s commitment to responsible purchasing. Lynn Garvie, Head of Procurement, explains ‘the Centre for Human Ecology has been sensitive to the practical difficulties of addressing environmental and social issues in procurement. Throughout, their approach has been to build on the Parliament and the Procurement Office’s existing commitments and to gain support from staff and other key players. We plan to continue making progress towards the aspirational objectives we have adopted.’