Most organizations still struggle to measure the ROI of their sustainable procurement efforts but continue investing, recognizing that the risks of inaction outweigh short-term uncertainty. The third and final part of our series shows how many organizations are leveraging sustainability as a long-term investment and strategic enabler.
Ask any executive about sustainability and one question inevitably follows: What’s the return? It’s a fair point – and one that procurement leaders still find difficult to answer in concrete terms.
Our 2025 survey confirms that only very few organizations have mastered ROI measurement. However, it also reveals a compelling paradox: While 78% of companies haven’t yet determined the ROI of their sustainable procurement initiatives, 90% still plan to invest. The reason? Leaders recognize that the risks of inaction outweigh the short-term challenge of quantifying impact.
This disconnect between strategic priority and measurement capabilities isn’t surprising. Calculating the ROI of sustainable procurement is notoriously complex. Only a select group of companies have managed to capture a clear, quantifiable return. Most remain in the early stages of measurement, and many have yet to get started.
Unlike cost savings – for example, switching to renewable energy or upgrading to more efficient machinery – the broader benefits of sustainable procurement don’t fit neatly into traditional ROI models. How can organizations attribute the value of avoided disruptions, stronger supplier relationships, or improved brand reputation directly to their sustainability efforts? These impacts may be hard to quantify, but they carry real financial weight.
To close the measurement gap, organizations must build the infrastructure to track both tangible and intangible value. This includes developing detailed metrics, defining specific KPIs, and implementing robust monitoring systems.
At the same time, targeted capacity-building efforts can equip suppliers to apply consistent methodologies and contribute relevant data. When suppliers are aligned and enabled, organizations gain a more accurate and comprehensive view of impact across the value chain.
Why are companies still committing resources to sustainability in the absence of clear ROI metrics? Because the business case extends well beyond short-term financial returns.
Sustainable procurement is not only about generating savings – it’s about avoiding losses and unlocking long-term value. This value becomes apparent in several critical areas, including:
Against this backdrop, even imperfectly measured sustainability investments make sense.
Despite the challenges of measuring ROI outcomes, nearly all surveyed organizations continue to invest in sustainable procurement. Their top priorities reveal where they see both risks and opportunities:
These examples show that leading organizations view sustainability not as a cost center, but as a strategic enabler and long-term investment.
Perhaps the most compelling argument for sustainable procurement is this: The cost of inaction is greater than the cost of investment. This reframes the ROI debate from “Can we prove it pays off?” to “Can we afford not to act?”.
Our survey confirms this shift in mindset: 86% of companies report that failing to invest in sustainable procurement carries significant risks, including supply chain disruptions, regulatory penalties, and reputational harm.
By prioritizing sustainability, organizations are not just improving their ESG performance – they’re safeguarding resilience, credibility, and long-term growth. That makes investment not only strategic, but essential.
Sustainability is a long-term play – not only in procurement, but also beyond. Measuring ROI will become more sophisticated in the coming years, but companies are not holding back. They’re investing in people, processes, and technology now to future-proof their supply chains and gain a competitive edge.
To unlock the full potential of sustainable procurement, organizations must particularly evolve both their measurement tools and mindsets, viewing ROI not just through a financial lens, but as a key driver of resilience, trust, and future-readiness.
For the full picture of how procurement teams are approaching ROI and investment priorities, download our report: The State of Sustainable Procurement 2025 – Practitioners’ Insights and ROI Perspectives.
The IntegrityNext platform streamlines supply chain due diligence, decarbonization, and sustainable procurement:
September 2025
In part two of our series, we explore the drivers of companies’ sustainable procurement investments. Strategic business goals are gaining in importance, as shown by the results of our study with global procurement organization CIPS.
September 2025
In collaboration with UK-based CIPS, we conducted a survey of 105 procurement professionals on the strategic role of sustainability. The results reveal a business function in transition – one that is already reaping the rewards of its expanded mandate. In this three-part series, we highlight key insights from the survey.
September 2025
This report – based on a survey of 105 professionals – shows how companies are embedding sustainable procurement in practice. It highlights the benefits they’re achieving, ROI challenges, and planned investments that are shaping the strategic role of procurement.
