August 2002
The Power of Ethical Purchasing
Whilst public displays such as boycotts have proven very effective in influencing corporate behaviour, many companies targeted by campaigners do not produce consumer brands, leaving campaigners in a less powerful position. Yet local authorities are uniquely placed to influence corporate behaviour across a different range of sectors from those traditionally targeted by shoppers. A new report published this week in Ethical Consumer magazine profiles the rise of ethical purchasing by local authorities. It shows how recent changes in government legislation have paved the way for councils wishing to base purchasing decisions on ethical issues.
Best value
The report finds that there has been a sea change in the way local authorities in the UK approach environmental procurement, and lists examples of best practice. For example, Oxford City Council buys 40% of its electricity from a renewable energy supplier, whilst a 2001 government study found that 84% of local authorities have an environmental policy which explicitly makes reference to procurement issues. The report also discusses ethical procurement worldwide, which is often in stark contrast to UK policy, and examines some of the constraints that can still prevent local authorities from promoting ethical buying.
Ethical Consumer...
is the UK's leading alternative consumer organization
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maintains the most comprehensive database of corporate ethics in the world - tracking over 30,000 companies, compiled over 20 years, updated daily by dedicated researchers
Ethical Consumer's unique ethiscore system rates companies on their social, ethical and environmental performance. Companies are rated in over twenty categories across four main headings - Environment, Human rights, Animal rights, Politics. Products are then rated for their positive ethical and sustainability features.
For more information on the ethiscore rating system click here.