14.10.13
Public procurement
Source: Chris Williams-Lilley
This commitment to The Procurement Pledge is something which should be applauded!
In our experience, business leaders are failing to understand the evolution and impact of the sustainability movement across the globe. They either 'get it' or choose it ignore it completely! To put it into some context, the UK construction industry (of which the rail industry contributes) is vast. Its output is worth £100bn a year. It accounts for 8% of GDP and employs 2.1 million people.
Hence the compelling need to review good sustainability and work ever more closely to build sustainability into each and every supply-chain linked to infrastructure supply and maintenance. We're waiting with great excitement for the re-launch of BS8903 as an ISO standard next year, outlining the principles and framework for procuring sustainability. As both the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 and BS 11000 collaborative business relationships implies, sustainability is very much on the agenda and has now gained teeth! Hurrah!
Re: A new approach to public procurement