Background 

WRAP Cymru, in partnership with the Welsh Government, is supporting the Welsh public sector to adopt sustainable procurement practices, aiming to deliver positive environmental, economic, and social impacts. A key part of this initiative is helping public bodies establish a baseline to track progress and set tailored improvement targets. Miller Research was contracted to undertake this work on behalf of WRAP for the Neath Port Talbot County Council. 

The review 

This project assessed the current state of sustainable procurement practices within Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. The review examined existing procurement processes and policies, analysed emissions associated with purchased goods and services, engaged key stakeholders to identify organisational challenges, and developed recommendations to strengthen the integration of sustainability into future procurement activities. 

Existing sustainable procurement policies, procedures, and tools were reviewed to evaluate alignment with best practice and identify areas for improvement. An analysis of the Council’s procurement spend data was undertaken, supported by follow-up discussions and a workshop with the procurement team to explore current practices, barriers, and opportunities in greater detail. 

Findings from the review were consolidated into a sustainable procurement progress report, which outlined the Council’s current position, highlighted key challenges, and provided practical guidance to support the development of best-practice procurement processes. The project also provided guidance on the use of carbon reduction plans and recommended additional resources for inclusion within carbon literacy training, including WRAP sustainable procurement guidance, WPPN 12/21, and the WRAP sustainable procurement hierarchy. 

Impact 

The project offers replicability potential across other local authorities and public sector organisations, providing a scalable framework, tools, and processes for sustainable procurement and carbon reduction. Its alignment with Welsh Government priorities and focus on supply chain (scope 3) emissions make it highly adaptable to similar challenges faced by other bodies.