October 2026 Case Study: Integrating Biodiversity and Forest Protection into Procurement
For October 2026, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15 (SDG 15), Life on Land, is the Goal of the Month. SDG 15 calls for the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, the sustainable management of forests, and action to halt biodiversity loss and land degradation.
Procurement decisions can influence how natural resources are sourced, how agricultural and forestry products are produced, and whether suppliers adopt practices that protect ecosystems. By incorporating environmental considerations into procurement specifications and supplier monitoring, organizations can help reduce the risk that their purchasing activities contribute to deforestation, habitat destruction, and the loss of biodiversity.
Drawing on Supply Chain Strategies for the UN Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) 15: Life on Land, published by LBB International on June 1, 2022, this case study explores five procurement strategies that organizations can use to support the objectives of SDG 15.
1. Incorporate Ecosystem Protection into Procurement Specifications The challenge: The extraction and use of natural resources can damage terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems when sourcing activities are not properly managed.
The procurement approach: Organizations can establish environmental requirements for products derived from natural resources, taking into account applicable environmental regulations, international agreements, and sustainable sourcing practices.
What procurement professionals can do: - Include relevant ecosystem-protection requirements in procurement specifications. - Require suppliers to provide evidence of compliance with applicable environmental standards. - Assess supply chain risks associated with natural resource extraction and sourcing. - Monitor supplier compliance throughout the contract lifecycle.
Why it matters: Procurement requirements can help organizations make informed sourcing decisions and encourage suppliers to protect and sustainably manage natural resources.
2. Promote Responsible Sourcing of Wood and Forestry Products The challenge: Unsustainable forestry practices and deforestation can destroy habitats, threaten biodiversity, and undermine the long-term availability of forest resources.
The procurement approach: Buyers can establish sourcing requirements for wood, paper, furniture, and other forestry products that support responsible forest management and reduce the risk of deforestation.
What procurement professionals can do: - Request documentation demonstrating the origin of wood and forestry products. - Consider recognized forest-management or chain-of-custody certifications where appropriate. - Assess suppliers' policies and practices relating to deforestation and forest restoration. - Monitor compliance with sourcing requirements throughout the supply chain.
Why it matters: Responsible sourcing can create incentives for suppliers to adopt more sustainable forestry practices and help protect forest ecosystems.
3. Protect Biodiversity When Sourcing Agricultural Products The challenge: Agricultural production can contribute to habitat destruction and biodiversity loss when farming expands into sensitive ecosystems or is managed unsustainably.
The procurement approach: Organizations purchasing agricultural products can consider how production practices affect biodiversity, soil health, and surrounding ecosystems.
What procurement professionals can do: - Assess environmental risks associated with the origins of agricultural products. - Establish relevant requirements for sustainable production and ecosystem protection. - Request supplier information about sourcing locations and environmental management practices. - Monitor compliance with applicable environmental requirements and commitments.
Why it matters: Responsible agricultural sourcing can help reduce pressure on sensitive ecosystems while supporting the sustainable use of land and natural resources.
4. Prevent Sourcing That Threatens Natural Habitats and Endangered Species The challenge: Products sourced from natural habitats can contribute to biodiversity loss when production or harvesting damages ecosystems or threatens vulnerable species.
The procurement approach: Buyers can identify products and supply chains that present biodiversity risks and establish safeguards against sourcing practices that harm protected habitats or threatened species.
What procurement professionals can do: - Identify high-risk materials and agricultural commodities within the supply chain. - Require suppliers to disclose relevant sourcing information. - Include appropriate environmental and biodiversity protections in procurement contracts. - Investigate and address credible indications of noncompliance.
Why it matters: Procurement safeguards can help reduce demand for products associated with habitat destruction and support efforts to conserve biodiversity.
5. Exclude Products Containing Ingredients Derived from Protected Species The challenge: Some products contain ingredients, extracts, or additives derived from plants or animals whose trade or use is restricted or prohibited under applicable laws and international agreements.
The procurement approach: Organizations can establish clear restrictions on prohibited materials and require suppliers to demonstrate compliance with relevant wildlife-protection and biodiversity requirements.
What procurement professionals can do: - Identify products that may contain ingredients derived from protected plant or animal species. - Include appropriate declarations and compliance requirements in procurement documents. - Request supporting documentation where the nature of the product or supply chain presents a relevant risk. - Establish procedures for addressing suspected violations and removing noncompliant products from the procurement process.
Why it matters: Clear procurement requirements can help prevent the purchase of prohibited products and reinforce responsible sourcing practices.
Turning Procurement Commitments into Action Integrating SDG 15 into procurement requires more than including environmental language in tender documents. Organizations must ensure that sustainability requirements are relevant to the purchase, supported by appropriate evidence, and monitored throughout contract performance.
Procurement teams can begin by identifying products and suppliers with significant exposure to deforestation, habitat destruction, or biodiversity risks. They can then establish proportionate requirements, communicate expectations to suppliers, and assess compliance using appropriate documentation and monitoring processes.
Progress can be measured through indicators such as: - The percentage of relevant contracts containing environmental and biodiversity criteria. - The proportion of applicable wood and forestry products with verified sourcing information. - The percentage of high-risk suppliers assessed against defined environmental requirements. - The number of supplier noncompliance issues identified and resolved. - The proportion of relevant contracts subject to environmental performance monitoring.
These indicators should reflect the organization's purchasing activities and available evidence. They measure procurement performance and supplier compliance, but should not automatically be interpreted as proof of improved biodiversity or reduced deforestation without supporting outcome data.
The ProcureGoals Takeaway Protecting life on land requires action throughout supply chains, including at the point where purchasing decisions are made.
By incorporating ecosystem protection into procurement specifications, promoting responsible forestry and agricultural sourcing, and preventing the purchase of prohibited products derived from protected species, organizations can use procurement to support the objectives of SDG 15.
Responsible procurement is not only about obtaining the right product at the right price. It is also about understanding where that product comes from, how it was produced, and what its sourcing means for the natural world.
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