Financial Implications of Building Environmental Cons into Procurement A requirement for Consultancy Services.

Both Surrey County Council (SCC) and East Sussex County Council (ESCC) (collectively, "the Councils") have declared climate change emergencies, and both have committed themselves to ambitious net zero targets. Whilst addressing direct organisational emissions is usually a visible and distinct process, dealing with Scope 3 supply chain emissions involves activities that reside outside the immediate sphere of organisational influence, complicating the decarbonisation process. Having completed supply chain carbon baselining exercises, it was found that a significant portion of both Councils' total emissions reside within the supply chain.

SCC and ESCC are part of a shared procurement service that also includes Brighton and Hove City Council (BHCC) known as Orbis Procurement. To combat the climate emergency, as well as other environmental issues, as effectively and consistently as possible, the Councils have co-developed a shared 'Orbis Environmentally Sustainable Procurement Policy'. The Councils are now aiming to achieve the highest environmental standards within their respective supply chains in the most cost-effective way possible, and to simplify processes for prospective suppliers (especially local smaller suppliers).