Update & Enforce the Green Purchasing Policy

This initiative proposes to enhance the University of Arizona’s Green Purchasing Policy by expanding and standardizing environmentally and socially responsible procurement practices across all departments. The initiative aims to support the university’s net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2040 by addressing gaps in the current policy and improving tracking and enforcement. By engaging a multi-stakeholder task force and benchmarking against other leading universities, the University of Arizona will set a precedent for responsible consumption and influence market trends toward sustainability. Actionable items include:

• Establish a multi-stakeholder task force with representatives from students, staff, and faculty to revise and strengthen the Green Purchasing Policy.
• Review existing green purchasing policies, analyze current procurement practices, and gather data on spending and supplier sustainability.
• Set clear, measurable objectives and criteria for sustainable products and suppliers, incorporating certifications and standards for various categories, and explore centralization of purchasing for certain products.
• Develop a comprehensive, clear, and actionable updated policy, then share it with the university community for feedback and refinement.
• Provide training on the new policy, communicate changes widely, and establish a system for monitoring, evaluating, and continuously improving the policy's effectiveness.