Barkers partnered with Coupa and Positive Planet to deliver the “Power of Procurement in Your Sustainability Strategy” webinar, bringing together procurement professionals from across the UK.
The session explored how procurement plays a critical role in delivering Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategies, with a strong focus on reducing carbon emissions across supply chains.
Why Procurement is Central to ESG Strategy
The webinar highlighted the growing importance of procurement teams in driving sustainability outcomes through supplier selection, category management, and supply chain influence.
A key focus was Scope 3 emissions, which typically account for 70–90% of an organisation’s total carbon footprint. Addressing these emissions is essential for organisations aiming to achieve net zero targets.
Building an Effective Climate Strategy
Stephen Henry, Founding Partner at Positive Planet, outlined the six pillars of a successful climate strategy, followed by a practical step-by-step approach to reducing organisational emissions.
These steps included:
- Establishing a baseline understanding of emissions
- Identifying key carbon hotspots
- Engaging suppliers and stakeholders
- Implementing reduction strategies
- Monitoring progress
- Accelerating impact through collaboration
This structured framework supports organisations in moving from ESG intent to measurable climate action.
Real-World ESG Procurement Examples
Warren Kozera, Executive Director at Barkers, shared real-world examples of ESG adoption across organisations of varying sizes, from SMEs through to large global enterprises.
He highlighted the importance of category assessment in procurement, showing how organisations can identify where sustainability efforts will deliver the greatest impact.
The Role of Technology in Sustainable Procurement
Carl Thompson, Senior Value Solutions Consultant at Coupa, explored how technology is enabling more sustainable procurement decisions.
He explained how digital procurement platforms can help organisations:
- Identify ESG-aligned suppliers
- Access verified sustainability data
- Benchmark supplier performance
- Align procurement decisions with ESG policies
This enables procurement functions to make faster, more informed, and more sustainable purchasing decisions.
Expert Insight on ESG Strategy Adoption
Reflecting on the discussion, Warren Kozera said:
“Every organisation is on its own ESG journey. It’s important to understand why sustainability matters to your business specifically.”
He emphasised that ESG should not be treated purely as a compliance requirement, warning that organisations which delay action risk falling behind and facing higher long-term costs.
He also referenced research shared at the IPSERA conference, suggesting that organisations actively reducing carbon emissions often achieve stronger financial performance — reinforcing both the ethical and commercial case for ESG action.