At Forum for the Future we like to think we know a bit about sustainable procurement, and our guide Buying a Better World is a buyer’s manual in many organisations.

It’s a simple concept, spending your money on goods which improve people’s quality of life and enhance the environment, but putting it into practice has its challenges, even for an organisation like us. So we were delighted to win an award for green procurement this week.

The Mayor of London’s Green Procurement Code awards showcase the achievements of London businesses that have reduced carbon emissions, saved energy and diverted waste from landfill through their procurement activities. Forum took the title of best performing small or medium enterprise.

Our work is all about embedding the principles of sustainability in businesses and the public sector. On procurement, we offer support at both the strategic and operational level. Our Buying a Better World report explains the benefits of sustainable procurement and details practical steps to take. Our Sustainable Procurement toolkit is recommended by the UK Audit Commission and the National Health Service and has been requested by public and private sector organisations around the world including the UN.

That’s why it is so important for Forum to be seen to practice what it preaches and understand the practical challenges of developing more sustainable business practices.