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.
Traditionally, procurement was guided by priorities such as quality, price, on-time delivery, and continuity of supply, while sustainability was seen as a peripheral concern, a “nice to have” rather than a necessity. Today, that picture has changed. Sustainability has moved to the top of the procurement agenda, reshaping how organizations engage with suppliers, manage risks, and build long-term resilience.
Our 2025 survey of 105 procurement professionals highlights a function in flux: sustainability in procurement has evolved from awareness to systematic action. But progress is uneven, and while the benefits are increasingly visible, challenges remain.
The data confirms the shift: 82% of respondents now consider sustainability an important part of their procurement strategy. Procurement teams are embedding ESG into supplier selection, risk management, and even innovation pipelines.
Several factors are driving this trend. Regulation is an obvious force, with due diligence laws raising the bar on corporate responsibility. But compliance is only part of the story. The other side is business value. Organizations now recognize that embedding ESG in procurement reduces risk, strengthens supplier relationships, and enhances credibility with customers, investors, and employees.
In other words, sustainability has evolved from obligation to opportunity.
The survey also highlights a maturity gap. While most organizations are engaging with sustainability in some form, only a small minority describe themselves as true “leaders” with ESG fully embedded across their procurement processes. For the majority, sustainable procurement is still a work in progress – moving beyond awareness, but not yet operating at scale.
This means that there’s room to grow, and the coming years will be decisive. Companies that manage to institutionalize sustainable procurement – integrating it into supplier selection, contract negotiations, and performance measurement – will emerge stronger. The benefits already observed confirm the payoff for those that make the leap.
Even in this transitional stage, companies are reaping rewards. Respondents report positive impacts such as:
These are operational advantages that strengthen resilience. In fact, 32% of respondents have already avoided or mitigated supply chain disruptions and risks thanks to their sustainability efforts.
Such outcomes show that sustainable procurement is not just about compliance – it’s about building more competitive, future-proof supply chains.
Still, challenges persist. Half of respondents admit they struggle to quantify the impact of their sustainability efforts. Without robust metrics, it’s becomes harder to secure executive buy-in, track progress, or demonstrate ROI.
Other obstacles include limited budgets, patchy supplier data, and organizational silos. Overcoming these issues will require better data systems, stronger cross-functional collaboration, and expanded capacity-building initiatives.
The message is clear: sustainability is here to stay. The task ahead lies in scaling efforts, measuring impact, and embedding sustainability into the DNA of procurement processes.
The companies that act now will not only keep pace with evolving regulations but also unlock tangible benefits, strengthening resilience and gaining a competitive edge.
This article offers just a glimpse of the findings. For the full picture – including insights on maturity levels, value drivers, and planned investments, download the report "The State of Sustainable Procurement 2025 – Practitioners’ Insights and ROI Perspectives".
September 2025
Procurement is evolving fast. In today’s environment of regulatory pressure, supply chain disruptions, and rising stakeholder expectations, sustainable procurement isn’t a luxury—it’s a business necessity.
July 2025
Telefónica, one of the world's largest telecom providers, is redefining how ESG is integrated across its global value chain. In this on-demand session, learn how Telefónica is transforming responsible sourcing into a strategic advantage.
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.