Procurement

Following its commitment in CMP3, Transport Scotland implemented the Scottish Government’s Flexible Framework, and an action plan was put in place to address where we can improve upon highlighting and reducing our Scope ‘i’ emissions through the supply chain. We will continue to monitor and review this as legislation and policy are updated.

In addition to the flexible framework, Transport Scotland has adopted the SG suite of Sustainability tools for all regulated procurements. This includes the prioritisation tool and sustainability test which are mandatory for regulated procurements. Relevant measures identified in the sustainability test must then be included in the requirements for contracts which are being procured.

The Scottish Government’s Climate Literacy Procurement e-learning is mandatory for all staff involved in procurement, and Transport Scotland also runs bespoke training sessions on carbon management and circular economy considerations through the procurement process.

In line with the requirements of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014, our Corporate Procurement Strategy is reviewed annually and identifies our key procurement policies and processes and sets out the corporate procurement aims, associated actions and the framework in which we will work to ensure that our procurements are carried out in a sustainable manner and deliver value for money. This addresses Climate Emergency as a key procurement priority outlining the following sub-actions:

  • Working across TS Directorates to ensure consideration of the climate emergency is integral to procurement decisions;
  • Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, as appropriate, to facilitate sharing of best practice in carbon management; and
  • Gather data and monitor information to support and develop procurement opportunities to address climate emergency priorities

Our Annual Procurement Report details Transport Scotland’s procurement activity, and demonstrates how we have met the procurement commitments set out in our Corporate Procurement Strategy. Examples of activities undertaken through our procurements include:

  • Monthly carbon reporting on major projects.
  • Public Bodies Climate Change reporting.
  • Capturing data from the supply chain to inform how we tackle the climate emergency.
  • Utilising data gathered via our contracts database to assist with monitoring and ensuring compliance with the sustainable procurement duty.
  • Implementing of Primary Impact Area for Climate Change (PIACC) Guides.
  • using carbon calculator tools where relevant and proportionate. This meets the PAS 2080 standards, setting carbon management targets through the supply chain.

Following the publication of SPPN 3/2022, public procurement - taking account of climate and circular economy considerations, Transport Scotland has worked to integrate the principles of this guidance into our procurement processes, ensuring that the climate emergency remains central through the development of our procured contracts. In addition to updating our project procurement strategies to reflect the guidance, we are also working to ensure that the principles of the SPPN are embedded in the decision-making processes which take place prior to the procurement commencing.

Transport Scotland will continue to review and develop processes for reducing carbon through our procurements, ensuring that we are operating in line with current best practice and Scottish Government policy.