Barkers’ ESG helps organisations adopt tailored, impactful strategies, track performance, and confidently report progress, all guided by our ‘procurement with principles’ philosophy.
ESG
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What is ESG?
ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance, a framework increasingly integral to corporate strategies. It involves embedding responsible principles into business practices, such as procurement and finance, while monitoring and reporting performance effectively. Barkers simplifies ESG through a tailored, holistic approach focused on impactful supply chain solutions. By helping organisations track, monitor, and report their ESG efforts, we empower businesses to adopt purposeful procurement and drive meaningful change, guided by our “procurement with principles” philosophy.
“We selected Barkers primarily for the depth of their procurement experience but also because their ethical approach and commitment to the creation of social value differentiates them from other consultancies. The Barkers team worked alongside our staff to enhance the team and accelerate our delivery of budget impacting savings and the creation of localised social value.” – David Levy, Head of Strategic Procurement, Seven Force Strategic Collaboration
ESG Services
Our ESG Supply Chain service is tailored to your organisational requirements. We’re experienced in working with multinational organisations as well as smaller enterprises on procurement strategy and will tailor our approach in line with both your ESG aspirations and budget.
Our comprehensive ESG Diagnosis gets to the heart of your current ESG procurement practices, identifying areas where your organisation may be at operational or reputational risk. We’ll highlight opportunities that should be harnessed and maximised, providing you with a comprehensive implementation plan tailored to your goals. This is the framework for success. Features of our ESG Diagnosis include:
Business Case for Change
We’ll discuss why you should focus on ESG, what the opportunities are that an ESG strategy affords, and crucially, what’s the risk of doing nothing.
RAG Risk Assessment aligned to UN Sustainability Goals with ESG Maturity Assessment
We use the UN Sustainability Goals as a basis to perform a comprehensive RAG Risk Assessment. The results of which will be presented to you using a spider graph bespoke to your individual circumstances. The diagramme will highlight the areas to focus on to make improvements, providing a framework to move forward, all centred around your current supply chain.
ESG Opportunity Assessment
Using the RAG Risk Assessment results, we’ll undertake a comprehensive analysis of how to close the ESG gaps identified and focus on turning those opportunities into a competitive advantage for your organisation.
Prioritised Implementation Plan
This stage looks at the ‘how’, ‘when’, and ‘why’ surrounding the ESG improvements your organisation can commit to make. SMART objectives will be drawn up to facilitate success.
ESG Reporting Dashboards
It’s crucial to report on your ESG journey. Our dashboards enable organisations to demonstrate the progress the organisation is making, ensuring auditable results.
Our mantra is that ESG should be a golden thread within your business. Without an ESG commitment from across the organisation, risk may not be fully understood and opportunities for change may be lost. Our ESG Supply Chain Strategy builds on ESG Diagnosis but delves deeper, aligning Procurement Strategy with Organisational Strategy. It could include the following elements:
Corporate Strategy and Function Synergy Alignment
Your ESG strategy should align with your Corporate Strategy. We assist in ensuring these elements work together. By taking a holistic approach we will help you stay aligned, whilst determining, driving, and demonstrating best value for you.
Corporate Value Assessments and Recommendations
It’s important to understand the value of the ESG work you undertake. We will guide your organisation on the methodology to determine, measure and demonstrate the value of the actions you have taken.
Internal Stakeholder Alignment, Strategy and Collaboration
ESG is a catalyst for transformation. We will support your organisation in developing ESG as a positive driver for change by demonstrating the differing values ESG policies can bring to all stakeholders.
Competitor Benchmarking and Recommendations
Understanding what trailblazing organisations are doing in the ESG space, and learning from them is important. We will show you what benefits early adopters are gaining, and work with your team to ensure you get ‘first mover advantage’.
Risk and Reward Analysis
We will guide your organisation in recognising, mitigating and benefiting from the opportunities ESG can offer an aligned organisation.
ESG Technology Recommendations
The right technology can support and enhance your ESG strategy. We will guide your organisation to the best technical solution to fit your bespoke requirements, because we know that one size does not fit all.
Staff Training and Change Management Recommendations
Education is an important aspect of change management. We recommend accredited partners for any training requirements, whilst also guiding/assisting with the organisational change that is required to support an aligned ESG policy.
Sustainable Sourcing Strategy
Sustainable procurement strategy is in our DNA. We will recommend and develop an appropriate ESG lead procurement strategy, which may or may not adhere to ISO20400 – Sustainable Procurement.
ESG Reporting Dashboards
It’s crucial to report on the outcomes of your ESG actions to all key stakeholders. We will work with your organisation to allow your good work and progress to be demonstrated in an auditable fashion.
This will be presented as a Comprehensive ESG Supply Chain Strategy with actionable steps for implementation.
During Phase 3 we will enable your organisation to make the changes required to drive and implement your ESG Supply Chain Strategy successfully.
We offer ESG as a Managed Service, meaning our ESG specialists will form an extension of your team, and using their extensive knowledge, will implement your ESG Supply Chain Strategy to agreed timescales and KPIs.
Adept in organisational change, our team will establish procedures that facilitate the successful onboarding and management of suppliers aligned to the organisation’s ESG strategy. And they’ll support the exit of any suppliers that fail to meet your requirements. Crucially they’ll regularly monitor and report on agreed KPIs, crucial to successfully reporting on ESG commitments to the Board.
Carefully constructed risk management plans will be put in place with supply chain reporting procedures against key benchmarks established. This enables potential risk to be identified earlier, with mitigation strategies acted upon swiftly.
A culture of ESG will be encouraged throughout the function with mentorship and training and development opportunities identified, providing for a legacy that extends beyond our involvement.
ESG Outcomes
ESG Impact
Our ESG Supply Chain Solution empowers your organisation to focus resources effectively, achieving meaningful benefits for people and the planet while delivering measurable value to stakeholders. By targeting areas of highest impact, we ensure that your ESG strategy not only aligns with your goals but resonates with leadership and the boardroom.
Expertise and Leadership
Our dedicated team combines deep expertise and a passion for ESG. From leading sustainable initiatives and earning industry awards to engaging in global CPD events, we bring cutting-edge insights to every project. As award-winning leaders in social value and sustainability, with certifications like carbon-neutral status and silver carbon literacy, we are committed to helping your business drive impactful, recognised ESG outcomes.
ESG Excellence
We deliver results that matter. Trusted by long-term clients, we consistently meet and exceed expectations through our intelligence-led, KPI-driven approach. Our expertise ensures timely, budget-conscious delivery while fostering collaboration to achieve optimal outcomes.
Knowledge Share
Succeed on your ESG journey and create lasting change! Talk to our ESG specialists today