Increasing sustainability through our suppliers

As part of our commitment to make our business more sustainable and support the government’s net zero targets, we are encouraging all companies in our Assets and Delivery supply chain to complete essential learning and gain accreditations via the Supply Chain Sustainability School – an online platform that provides sustainability knowledge and learning.

We have set a goal for suppliers who work with our Assets and Delivery teams with a contract value of £1m+ to reach gold status within three years. Additionally, all other relevant suppliers are expected to achieve the silver standard within two years and bronze within one year.

The online learning platform, which is free for our suppliers, serves as a dedicated hub for businesses to continually enhance their skills and knowledge of sustainable practices within their operational environments while also advancing their own sustainability goals. Through the Supply Chain Sustainability School, suppliers and partners can upskill in areas such as improving efficiencies, minimizing waste, adopting greener energy sources, sustainable sourcing, and more.

Aligned with our ambition to build more sustainable homes in Oldham, we are committed to collaborating with suppliers and partners who can demonstrate a recognised level of sustainable practices.

Keith Mullender, Procurement and Value for Money Manager, said: “To support the national agenda in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and our targets as a social housing provider to improve the energy efficiency of the properties we own, it is important that we have the right supply partners who can join us on this journey. We see the Supply Chain Sustainability School as a crucial part of this process, providing support and training for suppliers as they embark on their decarbonisation journey.”

Sustainability Manager Olivia Greenhalgh said: “We understand that the ambition to reach net zero has to be done in collaboration with our contracted partners. Showing a commitment to sustainability through learning is a real asset to our organisation and we are pleased with our suppliers and partners efforts so far.”

The Supply Chain Sustainability School portal is accessible to all our suppliers, who are required to complete a prescribed learning pathway consisting of online modules. The learning is divided into key topics, such as carbon and energy consumption, waste reduction, recycling etc. allowing suppliers to select the appropriate modules for them. Upon completion, they will undertake a simple assessment to determine their onward progression within the portal toward achieving gold-level status.

Through this initiative, we will continue to foster a culture of sustainability, ensuring that our supply chain partners are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute to a greener future.

This requirement is part of our ongoing efforts to embed sustainability across our operations and meet procurement regulations for the sector. Creating a greener future is among our top priorities. By collaborating with our partners to reduce waste, use less energy and water, increase recycling, and incorporate sustainable materials, we can make a bigger impact together.