Advancing sustainable procurement through supplier evaluation at Conestoga
Using environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria to better understand supplier practices and support more sustainable procurement decisions
Michael Quatermain and Marlon Nangle, School of Business
About the project
This project examined how ESG criteria could be incorporated into supplier evaluation processes at Conestoga. Working in collaboration with Conestoga’s Procurement and Contract Services, the research established a sustainability baseline across the college’s supplier network and identified opportunities to strengthen responsible procurement practices.
The challenge
Organizations are increasingly expected to consider sustainability in purchasing decisions, but obtaining consistent information about supplier practices can be challenging. The project aimed to better understand supplier performance and create a foundation for more informed procurement decisions.
Approach
- Distributed a supplier sustainability questionnaire to Conestoga’s supplier base
- Assessed supplier practices using ESG criteria
- Established a sustainability baseline to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement
- Collaborated with Procurement and Contract Services to evaluate findings
- Developed recommendations to support future procurement initiatives
Results
- Established a sustainability baseline for Conestoga’s supplier network
- Identified leading practices and opportunities for improvement among suppliers
- Published a summary report to share key findings and insights
- Generated recommendations to support future procurement decision-making
- Created a foundation for ongoing supplier engagement and sustainability initiatives
Why it matters
This work helps strengthen the integration of sustainability into procurement practices while supporting broader institutional goals. The project supports:
- More informed and consistent supplier evaluation
- Stronger alignment with ESG and sustainability objectives
- Enhanced supplier engagement and education opportunities
- Future policy and program development
- Continued leadership in responsible procurement practices