The UK public sector needs to reduce carbon emissions, maintain energy security, and also create economic opportunities. It is increasingly dependent on long supply chains, some of which originate in politically unstable parts of the world. By embedding sustainability into public sector policy we can achieve a leaner, greener future.
Public Sector Procurement expenditure is £225bn a year. This is equivalent to over 0.5% of global GDP. It represents nearly 20% of UK GDP. It represents one third of public expenditure. The average man, woman and child will invest over £250,000 throughout their lifetime in public sector procurement. It is therefore key to delivering public services and government policies on efficiency, sustainability and innovation. It is key to maintaining UK employment. It is key to helping bring public sector spending back into balance and to economic recovery.
One of the challenges to consider is the increasing pressures on resource and funding to reduce carbon emissions and develop a cost-effective and sustainable supply network. Reductions in waste, water consumption and increases in waste recycling are all fundamental to reducing the use of resources. Common sense says that reducing the use of resources must reduce cost, though there may be some short-term costs associated with the change. Sustainable procurement does not have to be achieved at a high price. Reducing dependence on commodities and shortening supply chains can save cash, save carbon, reduce dependence on unreliable sources and increase the security of public services. ‘Lean’ and ‘Green’ are compatible.
The foundations of good practice are in place for the public sector, but what are the biggest obstacles to sharing it and how can these be overcome? This conference explores ways of achieving this with some practical examples from both public and private sectors of how to develop and deliver suitable strategies.
PROGRAMME
08:30 Registration & Coffee in the Network Surgery
09:25 Chair's Opening Address Colin Cram (confirmed) Former Chief Executive, North West Centre of Excellence & Director, Marc1 “Global Warming, CO2 and the Contribution of Procurement: Is it Hype or Reality?”
09:35 Keynote Address Fiona Ross (TBC) Director of the Centre of Expertise in Sustainable Procurement “Delivering Change” The delivery plan for sustainability progress, implementation, lessons for wider public sector.
10:05 Julian Feasby (confirmed) Head of Internal Environment Management, Environment Agency “Managing Environmental Impacts within the Environment Agency” With a workforce of over 12,000 people the Environment Agency is a 'typical' large organisation with a range of environmental footprints and behavioural change challenges. This presentation will highlight how substantial progress has been made, and what future plans are in place.
10:25 Main Sponsor
10:40-11:00 Question and Answer Session
11:05 Masterclass Session 1 A series of Masterclasses will run throughout the day. You have the opportunity to pick a stream from the following three topics: Carbon from Offices, Carbon From Travel and Waste and Recycling.
11:50 Coffee in the Networking Surgery
12:30 Masterclass Session 2
13:15 Lunch in the Networking Surgery
14:15 Masterclass Session 3
15:00 Chair’s Afternoon Address Colin Cram (confirmed) Former Chief Executive, North West Centre of Excellence & Director, Marc1
15:10 Ken Cole (confirmed) Commercial and Procurement Advisor, Capital Ambition (former Director of the London Centre of Excellence) “Making Sustainability Mainstream” The development of a sustainable procurement strategy for London. Looking at the tricky task of balancing budgets with targets.
15:30 Elaine Preston (confirmed) Divisional Sustainability Manager, Interserve's Facilities Management “Delivering savings through a Sustainable Procurement Strategy”
15:50 Dr Rachel Mason-Jones (confirmed) Head of Supply Chain Management, University of Glamorgan “Driving the green agenda via a ‘Community of Interest’ approach”
16:10 Shaun McCarthy (confirmed) Chair of the Commission for a Sustainable London 2012 and Director of Action Sustainability
16:30 Question and Answer Session
16:40 Chair’s Closing Remarks
16:45 Conference Close