Following their declaration of a Climate Emergency on 21 March 2019, Suffolk County Council (SCC) has launched a new Climate Change Commercial Ask.
With the Climate Emergency declaration, SCC committed to achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2030, as well as working with partners towards making the county of Suffolk Net Zero by the same date.
The emissions represented by SCC’s procurement exceed those from its own estate. Procurement is also a key area for influencing the behaviour of other organisations to help deliver the changes that we want to see across the county.
The new Climate Change Commercial Ask sets out how the council’s supply chain can work with SCC to achieve this goal. This means that environmental factors will be considered in the purchase of goods, services and works. The Ask recognises that achieving Net Zero is a significant challenge, but also that it can only be achieved by setting out clear goals and working together to ensure they are realised. The Ask focuses on realistic and practical steps that are achievable for all businesses, and links into the assessment methodologies developed through the Carbon Charter network.
Matt Hullis, Environment Strategy Manager at SCC, commented that “the Charter network has shown the creativity and commitment that exists within Suffolk’s business community. With a clear Commercial Ask in place, we look forward to this potential being further unlocked to deliver real change”.
External Links
Suffolk County Council’s Climate Emergency Declaration – https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/planning-waste-and-environment/initiatives/our-climate-emergency-declaration/
The new Climate Change Commercial Ask – https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/business/tenders-and-supplying-us/climate-change-commercial-ask/
