Context
As regulatory pressure increases and climate performance becomes central to B2B decision-making, procurement is becoming a strategic driver of ESG goals. From emissions tracking to ethical sourcing, supply chains are under greater scrutiny and companies are expected to act with both intent and transparency.
To help teams navigate this shift, we’ve compiled a 10-step checklist based on core ESG procurement best practices. Whether you're just getting started or refining an existing strategy, these steps help ensure your approach is data-driven, compliant, and aligned with real-world impact.
The 10-Step Sustainable Procurement Checklist
Based on the visual guide below, here’s a breakdown of what ESG professionals should prioritize in building a sustainable procurement process:
1. Establish Clear Objectives
- Define specific sustainability goals
- Align with corporate strategy and values
- Set time-bound, measurable outcomes
- Secure buy-in at the executive level
2. Evaluate the Current State
- Review current procurement activities and emissions hotspots
- Identify high-impact suppliers and supply chains
- Benchmark against industry standards
- Assess supplier sustainability performance
3. Formulate Policy Guidelines
- Develop a sustainable procurement policy
- Embed ESG criteria into contracts and tenders
- Align with global and local regulations
- Define consequences for non-compliance
4. Train & Engage Internally
- Run workshops for procurement staff
- Educate teams on policy, goals, and tools
- Provide access to sustainability data
- Organize regular check-ins and update sessions
5. Collaborate with Stakeholders
- Bring in cross-functional input (legal, finance, operations)
- Engage key suppliers early in the process
- Participate in industry sustainability networks
- Build feedback loops for continuous improvement
6. Define Supplier Standards
- Set clear environmental and social requirements
- Request documentation or third-party certifications
- Ensure transparency around emissions and materials
- Prioritize data quality in supplier onboarding
7. Revamp Procurement Systems
- Embed ESG data into sourcing templates
- Use scorecards and climate-based KPIs
- Integrate emissions tracking tools (like ReFlow)
- Align contract structures with sustainability goals
8. Implement & Scale Gradually
- Focus first on high-impact categories
- Roll out requirements across key suppliers
- Track progress and adjust based on feedback
- Standardize processes as maturity increases
9. Monitor & Enhance Performance
- Track emissions and ESG indicators regularly
- Perform audits and supplier performance reviews
- Analyze climate data to identify new risks
- Update standards with emerging practices
10. Embed & Celebrate Success
- Recognize internal and supplier achievements
- Share sustainability progress publicly
- Celebrate milestones to reinforce company values
- Use data-driven reviews to plan next steps
Why It Matters
Sustainable procurement isn’t a box to check, it’s a strategic advantage. Companies that integrate carbon data, circularity criteria, and ESG metrics into their purchasing decisions not only reduce climate risk, but also build more resilient supply chains.
At ReFlow, we help organizations connect procurement with real carbon insights enabling smarter sourcing, verified product data, and compliance with evolving regulations like CSRD.
Ready to build climate-aligned procurement systems?
Let’s talk about how we can help you integrate verified carbon data into supplier evaluation, tendering, and product lifecycle decisions.
