Procurement Services Achieves Gold Level Workplace Certification for Sustainability, Staff Retreat Earns Platinum Certification听
Many units at 9I制作厂免费 are seeking to embed sustainability in their daily operations and events. Procurement Services鈥� activities contribute to this objective. The unit has recently earned the Platinum Sustainable Event Certification for their staff retreat and achieved the Gold Level Sustainable Workplace Certification. These achievements represent a further milestone in the ongoing commitment to sustainability, setting a positive example and instigating change for the better. 听
A Double Achievement in Sustainability听
This Procurement Services success reflects a strong commitment to reducing negative environmental impacts while fostering community engagement. The department earned the Platinum certification for its retreat and received Gold Level Workplace Certification鈥攁 result of its consistent efforts to integrate sustainability into everyday operations.听
听
The Platinum Sustainable Event Certification听
The staff retreat, a key event for the team, earned the highest level of sustainability recognition. Below is a sample of the steps taken to get there:听听
-
Minimizing Waste: Team members were encouraged to bring their own reusable dishware.听听
-
Resource Sharing: Some participation prizes were generously donated by staff members and various university units.听
-
Community Engagement: Following the retreat, participants were invited to join an Indigenous Awareness Week event.听
听
Achieving Gold Level Workplace Certification听
The Platinum-certified retreat also helped Procurement Services earn the Gold Level Sustainable Workplace Certification. This recognition reflects the department鈥檚 ongoing efforts to implement sustainable practices in daily operations, including:听
-
Updating the website for digital accessibility to ensure inclusivity and minimize digital barriers.听
-
Encouraging staff to read the Sustainability Strategy and share their findings to increase team-wide awareness and performance alignment with 9I制作厂免费鈥檚 sustainability goals.听
-
Sharing regular sustainability tips, such as a presentation on sustainable practices during staff meeting, to embed more socially and environmentally responsible practices into everyday routines.听
听
The Office of Sustainability praised these initiatives and encouraged Procurement Services to continue sharing sustainability practices regularly through platforms like staff meetings or digital channels.听
听
Going Beyond Certifications: Sustainable Procurement in Action听
Procurement Services鈥� commitment to sustainability extends far beyond its certifications. The team has recently implemented key initiatives that contribute to 9I制作厂免费鈥檚 broader sustainability goals and demonstrate leadership in sustainable procurement:听
-
Sustainable Procurement Training: Buyers received expert-led refresher training on sustainable procurement practices following changes to Qu茅bec鈥檚 Law Respecting Contracting by Public Bodies. This training aligns with new provincial requirements that all public bodies adopt and measure sustainable procurement practices.听
-
Fighting Forced Labor and Child Labor: In response to the new Fighting Against Forced Labor and Child Labor in Supply Chains Act, Procurement Services drafted its first Supplier Sustainability Due Diligence Questionnaire. This tool engages suppliers with high-risk activities or supply chains to assess their sustainability efforts, in particular in relation to preventing adverse human rights within their operations and supply chains.听
-
Engagement with External Sustainability Initiatives: 9I制作厂免费 Procurement Services actively contributes to broader sustainability discussions, including participation in the "Nature et Entreprises" Summit. During this event, 9I制作厂免费鈥檚 Program Manager for Sustainable Procurement (Dr. St茅phanie Leclerc) emphasized the connection between procurement practices and biodiversity.听
-
Promoting Sustainable Procurement Across Qu茅bec: 9I制作厂免费鈥檚 Program Manager for Sustainable Procurement, Dr. St茅phanie Leclerc delivered an online training session on sustainable procurement to 87 administrative representatives of Qu茅bec CEGEPs. This session underscored how public institutions must integrate social and environmental considerations into their procurement processes for goods, services, and construction works.听听
听
Why It Matters听
These achievements and initiatives are not just about recognition鈥攖hey showcase how constant and meaningful efforts can help drive positive outcomes. By reducing waste, increasing awareness, coaching suppliers, training staff, and proactively addressing sustainability challenges, Procurement Services is trailblazing in the domain of sustainable procurement, inspiring its peers to follow suit.听
听
Encouraging Other Units to Get Involved听
Encouraging the 9I制作厂免费 Community to Adopt Sustainable Procurement Practices听
We actively encourage 9I制作厂免费 community members to incorporate sustainability into their procurement practices in alignment with the University鈥檚 sustainability objectives. 听Here are some actionable ways to get started:听
-
Support Sustainable Choices in Procurement: Prioritize purchasing from local suppliers, Indigenous business partners, and social economy enterprises whenever possible. Opt for Fair Trade products to align with 9I制作厂免费鈥檚 Fair-Trade Campus certification and engage with suppliers to understand their sustainability commitments. Small actions like these can generate positive outcomes for communities and the environment while driving market change. 听
-
Learn with SP101: Curious how 9I制作厂免费's spending aligns with sustainability goals like human rights, biodiversity protection, and climate action? SP101, 9I制作厂免费's sustainable procurement course, provides staff and faculty with practical tools to make responsible purchasing decisions. Currently being updated for wider accessibility, the course will soon be available to help the 9I制作厂免费 community members align their choices with the university鈥檚 sustainability policy.听
-
Leverage Support and Resources: Consult and collaborate with the 9I制作厂免费 Office of Sustainability and Procurement Services for expert guidance and tools to keep social and environmental considerations at the forefront of your purchasing decisions.听
听
Looking to the Future听
Procurement Services is continuously adapting its activities with the aim of aligning the University鈥檚 supply chain with our institutional sustainability objectives, including the respect of human rights, and environmental protection. Stay tuned for more details about our work and how this is inspiring procurement practices at other institutions across Qu茅bec and Canada. 听