3. Carbon neutrality in purchases is achieved by addressing the entire supply chain

This section focuses on how we can make purchasing more sustainable and carbon neutral.  Every purchase decision has an impact on the environment, so even small changes can generate significant benefits in the long run. The goal is that after completing this section, you will be better equipped to take the climate perspective into account when comparing different options, whether your work involves organizing events, tendering transport for camps, or purchasing craft materials. 

Where do the climate impacts of purchases come from and how are they calculated? 

The production of every product, material, or service causes emissions. A specific emission factor can be calculated for different products and services. The emission factor describes how much one piece, litre, hour, euro, kilowatt-hour, or even a kilometre of a certain thing warms the climate. In emission calculations, the emissions from purchases are reduced to a multiplication of two components: emissions are the emission factor multiplied by the quantity that is procured. 

The results of the emission calculations are reported in grammes of carbon dioxide equivalent (gCO2e). The climate impacts of procurements can be understood concretely as an additional weight or burden associated with the purchase, with the Earth’s climate bearing the load. 

Take a look at some examples of the climate impacts of different types of purchases: 

Procurement category An example of parish operations Emissions (kg CO2e) per euro spent on procurement 
Construction and maintenance Church’s repair and maintenance services 0,25–0,40 kg CO2e /€ 
Building materials Steel, concrete, and glass that has not been purchased as a construction service  0,60–1,20 kg CO2e /€ 
Food and nutrition services Event catering (meat-heavy) 0,70–1,00 kg CO2e /€ 
Office supplies and delivery of goods Paper, stationary, printed publications 0,35–0,60 kg CO2e /€ 
Machinery and equipment (ICT) Employees’ computers, phones, and servers 0,30–0,50 kg CO2e /€ 
Textiles and clothing Purchasing work uniforms 1 kg CO2e /€ 

Comparing different options is easier if we have information on the emissions of products and services throughout their whole life cycle, and if we also understand so-called indirect emissions. Indirect emissions are emissions that occur as a result of an activity, but not at the location where the activity itself takes place. For example, when you use electricity at home, the emissions from its production are generated at the power plant – not at home – and are therefore considered indirect emissions. 

It is very important that the purchaser requests more detailed information from suppliers and service providers on the environmental impacts of their products or services. The request itself sends a strong message to partners that we are interested in low-emission alternatives, even if data on emissions is not immediately available. 

Consume less, replace with something better 

The most effective way to reduce emissions caused by purchases is simply to avoid making the purchase in the first place. The first question when considering a procurement should be: is this truly necessary? 

If a purchase cannot be avoided, the next step is to look for the best options. This means choosing products that are more sustainable, energy-efficient, recyclable, or made from materials with low emissions. Different rules of thumb can be applied depending on the type of procurement. For example, when purchasing food, one could consider whether dairy and meat products could be replaced with plant-based alternatives.  

Every purchase decision should start by considering the following:  
  1. Stop and think: What is the real need for this purchase? If the purchase is not made, how can the need be met? Can the purchase be replaced by renting, borrowing, or renovating the existing item? 
  2. Make the most out of existing resources: Make the most out of the products and materials you already own. For example, furniture should be recycled between parishes. Refurbishment and repair save both material and energy compared to purchasing something new. 
  3. Define the criteria: Decide in advance on what grounds new materials, products and services will be purchased (when the purchase is truly necessary). Communicate the criteria openly. 

Concrete goals and examples 

The roadmap sets concrete goals for reducing emissions from our purchases. Below are some examples of the main sources of emissions and the goals associated to them: 

  • Food, over a tenth of the emissions of the entire parish union: The goal is to increase the share of vegetarian meals to at least 30 percent. This will significantly reduce emissions related to food consumption.
  • Administrative services: The tendering of services and contracts will be developed, so that environmental and carbon neutrality criteria are systematically considered. 
  • ICT purchases: Emphasis will be placed on sustainability and responsibility. Requiring spare parts (leasing devices) to be easily available and the carbon footprint of telecommunications services taken into account, which supports the longevity of the devices.
  • Other purchases: Whenever possible, the use of office supplies, craft materials, chemicals, and printed materials will be reduced. Purchases will be considered only when necessary and recyclable or digital solutions are preferred. (It should also be noted that digital services – such as telecommunications and artificial intelligence – consume energy and cause emissions. Therefore, energy-efficient solutions and electricity produced from renewable sources are preferred.) 

Recycling: an eco-friendly act or a facilitator of throwaway culture? 

Replacing the procurement of goods with a service or a recycled product is not automatically a climate-friendly action. Transport of goods generates emissions, and the production of services always causes emissions at some point in the value chain. It is essential to try to understand the entire life cycle of a product and your own role in it. Since eco-friendliness is also trendy, it is important to be careful when reading packaging labels and product descriptions. Replacing something old and functional with something new and eco-friendly can sometimes be a poor solution for both your wallet and the environment. 

Also consider the justification for your purchase! Our consumption-related emissions in Finland are roughly four times higher than what would be considered as a sustainable level. Contradictions cannot be avoided: unfortunately, the best solution for the environment is currently often not the cheapest one. Making sustainable choices requires awareness, thinking long-term, and active information gathering. 

Using the circular economy to reduce emissions from procurements 

The circular economy is a key principle in achieving carbon neutrality and sustainability. Its core idea is to keep raw materials – once extracted from nature or the Earth’s crust – and the energy used for them in use for as long as possible. 

The circular economy aims to close the loop of materials so that the production and use of products do not cause harmful emissions to the environment or health risks to humans. The aim is to decouple economic growth from the consumption of natural resources. 

In practice, the circular economy is a way of producing and consuming so that materials and products remain in circulation for as long as possible. For example, through borrowing, renting, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, or recycling, the life cycle of products is extended and their value preserved for longer. At the same time, the generation of waste is minimized, and virgin natural resources are conserved. 

The principles of carbon neutrality must be implemented at the organizational level, as they change traditional procurement practices and introduce new ways of thinking. Carbon neutrality or circular economy alone are not sufficient criteria for sustainability. Instead, social and economic sustainability as well as the holistic use of natural resources should also be taken into consideration. As we update the procurement guidelines (and follow them), purchase practices in parishes and shared services will gradually become more carbon neutral. 

An excellent example of circular economy in practice is the Waste & Feast restaurant. Here Elina Törrönen tells about the journey of waste to the table and about the youth employment activities. The video is 3:24 minutes long.

What can you do? 

Responsibility begins with the everyday choices you make in your own work tasks. For example, you can promote change by: 

  • Planning and predicting procurements: Avoid compromises caused by rushed decisions. 
  • Familiarise yourself with sustainability principles: Support is available from procurement guidelines, environmental specialists, and those responsible for purchases. 
  • Request clear information from suppliers: Requests for quotations also serve as a communication tool between the parish union and suppliers. 
  • Try a new criterion and communicate actively: Start with one procurement type and share what you have learned with your colleagues. Also inform suppliers about the changes so that the new practices become established. 
  • Discuss with your supervisor: Do you need more time or resources for implementing sustainability in your work? 

Collaboration, training, and supporting the management ensures that more sustainable procurement criteria do not remain on paper but are reflected in everyday decisions.  

Before we move on to the next topics, take a quick test – which of the everyday solutions is best for the climate?

Procurement choices – which is better for the climate?

We invest sustainably 

When creating the roadmap, it was found that sustainable projects carried out in investment activities can deliver more significant climate benefits than traditional offsetting methods. However, the climate benefits of investment projects are currently not taken into account in carbon neutrality calculations. It is therefore useful to compare the climate impacts of different measures from a “carbon budgeting” perspective: How much does the cost per ton of carbon dioxide increase for emission reductions, carbon sequestration, or offsets under different options? 

The Parish Union invests funds sustainably and aims to promote sustainable development.  The investment plan was updated at the end of 2023, and ESG principles are now applied to all investment activities. 

ESESG principles refer to three areas of responsible investment and operations: 

  • E – Environmental: Environmental issues, such as reducing emissions and sustainable use of natural resources. 
  • S – Social: Social responsibility, such as employee well-being and respect for human rights. 
  • G – Governance: Good governance, such as transparent decision-making and ethical practices. 

The principles guide organizations to make decisions that support sustainable development and sustainability. 

The carbon footprint of investments has decreased by 9,4 percent from the 2022 baseline by 2023. If the trend continues at the same pace, the carbon footprint could decrease by as much as 84 percent by 2030. 

Emissions in relation to invested capital have also decreased by over 20 percent per year. The emission reduction plans of listed companies support this trend, and the EU’s new reporting requirements bring additional transparency.