Purchased Goods and Services
Definition:
At Stanford, the Purchased Goods and Services category comprises all university purchases, except for travel and construction, which are accounted for in the Business Travel and Construction categories, respectively.
Methodology:
In order to get a high level understanding of the magnitude of emissions in this category, a carbon footprint tool from Sievo was used to quantify emissions per dollar spent in 1,065 Stanford-defined categories.
A more accurate method of quantifying purchased goods & services emissions is to collect data directly from suppliers to inform emissions estimates for the products purchased from those suppliers. This method helps ensure that supplier-specific decarbonization efforts are reflected in our estimates, but that intentional shifts towards more climate-friendly vendors and products will be reflected in future emissions estimates. Stanford will be gradually pivoting to this approach in the coming years, beginning with a supplier engagement pilot in 2023 that will focus on collecting data and identifying mitigation opportunities in partnership with the university’s top suppliers for MedLab equipment, IT, food, furniture, and carpet.
Sustainable Purchasing Initiatives:
All members of the research community are encouraged to join educational events to learn more about sustainable purchasing in laboratories! Stay tuned for upcoming events.
When shopping with Amazon Business, look for Climate Pledge Friendly and Small Business labels. Select Frustration-Free Packaging (easy to use, protective, 100% recyclable & less waste). Contact the Stanford Supplier Diversity team for assistance with identifying diverse suppliers and gaining access to tools and resources at supplierdiversity@stanford.edu.
Tips for shopping with other vendors, request reusable packaging, look for sustainability certifications on products such as Fair Trade Certified, Rainforest Alliance, FSC - Forest Stewardship Council, Oeko-Tex, Cradle to Cradle, 1% for the Planet, Green Seal, Certified B Corporation, incorporate the practice of identifying and including small and diverse businesses in sourcing efforts for products and services.