Sustainable procurement and climate change

Climate change is an urgent global crisis that impacts everyone. You have an important role to play in preventing climate change and reducing its negative impact.

Climate change is a growing global crisis that impacts everyone. You play an important role in preventing climate change and reducing its negative impact by taking action to build resilience and protect the people and communities who are most vulnerable to its impacts.

We encourage you to join us in fighting climate change and supporting the goals of the Paris Agreement.

What do we mean by climate change?

Climate is the average weather of a place over many years, measured by temperature and rainfall. Climate change happens when the average weather starts to change. In the past, the climate changed naturally. The present changes are caused and accelerated by human industrial activities including the burning of fossil fuels. This has made the Earth much warmer and led to a serious climate crisis as the warmer temperatures are changing weather patterns and disrupting the usual balance of nature. This poses many risks to human beings and all other forms of life on Earth.

What is the difference between climate change, sustainability and environmentalism?

While these words are often used together, they have different meanings.

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns and the negative effects this causes.
Sustainability is about meeting our needs today without harming the future. It includes social, financial and environmental factors.
Environmentalism is a movement that protects the environment through laws and actions.

What are the causes and effects of climate change?

The causes and effects of climate change are connected, complicated and widespread. It is mostly caused by the 'greenhouse effect.' This is when heat is trapped near the Earth by 'greenhouse gases.' These gases surround the Earth, making it warmer than usual. This increase in the Earth's temperature is called global warming, which changes weather patterns, disrupting the usual balance of nature with increased drought, severe storms, rising oceans, loss of species, health risks, etc.

What is the current rate of global warming?

Since the start of the Industrial Age, the Earth has become warmer by about 1.1 degrees Celsius. In 2024, the Earth experienced 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming for the first time. This could cause serious and permanent damage to the climate.

What is the Paris Agreement?

The Paris Agreement is a global treaty that guides the world's efforts to fight climate change. The agreement sets goals to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius. To achieve this, we need to reduce emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. We need to act quickly and take steps to adapt to climate change.

What can suppliers do to address climate change?

Take meaningful action to lower emissions in your business or organization by considering your:

Energy use: upgrade lighting systems to LED, implement smart thermostats and invest in renewable energy sources like solar panels

Waste reduction: reduce packaging materials and recycle paper and plastic
Water efficiency: fix leaky pipes, install water-saving fixtures in bathrooms and kitchens, and install systems to catch and reuse rainwater
Transport adjustments: encourage employees to share rides to work or use public transportation; where possible, invest in electric vehicles for the company fleet and plan your delivery routes to use less fuel
Sustainable packaging: use biodegradable or recyclable packaging materials, minimize packaging waste and design products for easy recycling
Logistics: improve the layout of your buildings and warehouses by using smaller spaces, reducing the amount of warehouse equipment, and using technology to keep track of your products and inventory
Procurement: source materials locally, buy from suppliers with sustainable practices and encourage the companies you work with to adopt eco-friendly production methods
Regeneration: restore the ecosystem within your community by planting trees and supporting community climate action efforts

Understand what causes climate change and how it affects the world.

Create a Climate Action Plan for your business or organization. There are various online tools to help you develop a plan that should:
- Identify where your business or organization causes emissions that lead to climate change
- Include clear steps and a timeline for reducing emissions in your operations and supply chain
- Identify the areas in your operations and supply chain where emissions are highest

Educate and train team members about climate change and the steps they can take to help reduce your emissions.
Introduce emissions accounting and reporting into your operations by:
- Identifying emission hotspots in your operations and value chains
- Referring to our guidance document on greenhouse gas accounting to learn about tracking and reporting on your carbon footprint and impact on climate change
- Reporting on how much carbon your business or organization produces, and what you're doing to reduce its impact
Make a public commitment: Share your commitment to fighting climate change and the steps you are taking.
Share your learnings, expertise and best practices with suppliers in your supply chain and business or organizational ecosystem.

To get more guidance on how to tackle climate change, download our resources.

Resources

Climate + emissions mitigation and adaptation

Climate + the circular economy

Climate + logistics, transport and packaging

Climate + greenhouse gas accounting

Climate action at UNOPS

UNOPS advancing climate action, building resilience

UNOPS at COP29

Understanding circularity

Circular and Fair ICT Pact

Harnessing circularity

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Change Language

What do we mean by climate change?

What is the difference between climate change, sustainability and environmentalism?

What are the causes and effects of climate change?

What is the current rate of global warming?

What is the Paris Agreement?

What can suppliers do to address climate change?