At this year’s Annual Conference, LGP’s Tania Lalor, Senior Consultant, Sustainable Procurement, led a dynamic roundtable on Leveraging Social Value in Procurement to Tackle Climate Change. The session drew a strong crowd and lively discussion around how procurement can be used as a force for both environmental and community impact.
Tania’s central message was simple but powerful:
“If we buy better socially, we buy smarter environmentally.”
She explored how social procurement, such as engaging local and inclusive suppliers, supporting circular businesses, and buying Australian Made, can also drive climate action. These choices shorten supply chains, cut emissions, and help build resilient local economies that support low-carbon innovation close to home.
A recurring theme was that procurement is one of the most effective levers councils have for tackling climate change. Even small changes, such as adding a modest weighting for social or environmental value, can unlock innovation, inclusivity, and long-term community benefits. Rather than excluding suppliers, this approach invites them to showcase how they contribute to social and environmental outcomes.
Participants took part in hands-on activities that helped them identify existing opportunities within their procurement processes and design tenders that deliver both social and climate benefits. The discussions were practical, inspiring, and full of real-world ideas for getting started.
Tania also reminded attendees that the work doesn’t stop once the contract is awarded. The real impact happens in contract management through clear KPIs, reporting, and relationships that turn commitments into measurable results.
Her closing thought captured the essence of the session:
“Social procurement isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s a climate strategy.”
Councils are already proving that with the right approach, every purchasing decision can deliver meaningful impact.
If you’d like to learn more, contact [email protected].