| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 75.40 |
| Liaison | Mary-Lee Townsend |
| Submission Date | Jan. 16, 2025 |
Western University
OP-9: Sustainable Procurement System
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.58 / 7.00 |
9.1 Supplier code of conduct
Copy of the institution’s supplier code of conduct:
Online location of the institution’s supplier code of conduct:
Does the institution’s supplier code of conduct include one or more expectations in regard to environmental impact that exceed or are additional to regulatory compliance?:
Does the institution’s supplier code of conduct include one or more expectations in regard to the treatment of workers that exceed or are additional to regulatory compliance?:
Does the institution’s supplier code of conduct include one or more expectations in regard to governance and ethical business practices that exceed or are additional to regulatory compliance?:
Does the institution’s supplier code of conduct include one or more expectations in regard to the advancement of sustainability in the supply chain?:
Does the institution’s supplier code of conduct include one or more expectations of monitoring and review?:
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
9.2 Percentage of bid solicitations that identify sustainability considerations
Percentage of bid solicitations that identify product sustainability specifications:
Percentage of bid solicitations that identify supplier sustainability considerations:
Description of the methodology used to assess the institution’s bid solicitations:
Western’s Sustainable Procurement Strategy (2023–2025) emphasizes the University's commitment to embedding sustainability in purchasing decisions. Throughout this period, all Requests for Proposals (RFPs) have been systematically reviewed for opportunities to incorporate sustainability as a core criterion, with the goal of incorporating sustainability considerations and specifications in 100% of RFPs by 2025. Sustainability considerations encompass environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, with these criteria carrying a weight of 5-15% in the overall evaluation process. This approach ensures that suppliers are assessed not only on their ability to deliver on the technical and financial aspects of the project but also on their commitment to sustainable practices. These efforts include environmentally conscious operations, ethical labor practices, resource efficiency, and corporate governance standards. By embedding sustainability into the procurement process, Western reinforces its dedication to promoting responsible business practices across its supply chain.
If claiming points for this indicator, at least one of the following two fields is also required:
Document supporting the percentage of bid solicitations reported:
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
9.3 Average weight given to sustainability considerations in bid appraisal
Average weight assigned to supplier sustainability considerations in the institution’s bid appraisal process:
Narrative outlining how the average weights given to sustainability considerations were determined:
Goal 2 of Western's Sustainable Procurement Strategy (https://www.uwo.ca/finance/procurement/sustainable_procurement/Public%20Western_%20Sustainable%20Procurement%20Strategy%202023%20-%202025.pdf ) clearly defines the university's commitment to embedding sustainability into its purchasing decisions. This goal specifies that sustainability considerations, including environmental impact, social responsibility, and governance practices, are consistently weighted between 10-15% in the evaluation process. This structured approach ensures that every procurement decision aligns with Western's broader sustainability objectives, reinforcing the institution's responsibility toward fostering ethical sourcing, reducing environmental footprint, and promoting positive social outcomes through its supply chain.
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
9.4 Percentage of contract spend with social impact suppliers
Performance year for contract spend:
Local currency code:
Total annual contract spend:
Annual contract spend with social impact suppliers:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an a overview of the institution’s contracts with social impact suppliers:
These social and governance aspects are sustainable procurement priorities for Procurement Services at Western University:
· Local economic development
· Prioritizing certified diverse suppliers
· community investment
· stronger relations with indigenous communities
· responsible supply chain management
· reduced risk of child labour, human trafficking, and labour exploitation
source: https://www.uwo.ca/finance/procurement/sustainable_procurement/index.html
Description of the methodology used to assess the institution’s contract spend with social impact suppliers:
Procurement Services at Western has launched an open questionnaire to all our vendors to identify those that qualify as social impact suppliers, which aligns with our broader commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. Through this process, we seek to gather insights on each vendor’s contributions toward social responsibility, including areas such as diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainable practices.
Currently, a limited number of companies have self-identified as social impact suppliers through this questionnaire, which remains open to encourage participation. Our annual contract spend in this area reflects the total contract value linked to vendors who identify as social impact suppliers in the questionnaire. As the questionnaire is still active, we do not yet have a full view of our total spend with social impact suppliers.
This initiative is essential for understanding our total spend in this area and encouraging ESG participation across all vendor partners. By tracking social impact suppliers, we aim to better measure and support socially responsible spending and strengthen partnerships with like-minded companies.
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following two figures:
Points earned for indicator 9.4:
Optional documentation
Additional documentation for this credit:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.