While transportation is often the first thing that comes to mind when discussing a company's carbon footprint, another major lever for action is frequently underestimated: procurement. Materials, services, energy—everything we buy has an impact. And it's a significant one: in many organizations, procurement accounts for the majority of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. At Powesco, we help organizations build a more sustainable procurement strategy, combining carbon neutrality with operational efficiency.
Purchasing, a strategic but highly emissive position
In many organizations, procurement accounts for the largest share of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The CNRS is a good example: according to its latest BEGES report, 85% of its emissions come from procurement, far ahead of energy or travel.
Why? Because every purchase generates impacts throughout its lifecycle:
- Manufacturing (resource consumption, industrial emissions)
- Transport (logistics, freight, fuels)
- Usage (energy efficiency, lifespan)
- End of life (waste, recycling, incineration)
According to Aurore Debono, in charge of studies and advice on public procurement and purchasing techniques at the DDAI : “we can act at all stages of the life cycle of a purchase, from its eco-design to waste management, including maintenance, delivery and consumption”
However, without a responsible purchasing strategy, it's difficult to control your carbon footprint. Identifying the most ethical suppliers, reviewing your supply chain, evaluating the actual performance of purchased products… these are all actions to take to reverse the trend.
Fossil fuel supply
gas and fuel oil are among the biggest emitters. They often power old or poorly adjusted equipment, whose consumption is rarely optimized.
Purchase of energy-intensive equipment
Furthermore, outdated boilers, obsolete heating systems, and inefficient lighting are all purchases that significantly impact a company's energy—and climate—bills. Not only are they expensive to operate, but their manufacture is also carbon-intensive.
Services can also pollute
Service purchases are no exception. Using unsuitable software , incapable of centralizing data or monitoring energy consumption in real time, prevents any optimization strategy. Without a reliable management tool, progress towards energy efficiency becomes difficult.
What methods can be used to decarbonize one's purchases?
ACV
Life Cycle Assessment ( LCA) is a standardized environmental assessment method (ISO 14040-44) that measures the impacts of a product or service throughout its entire life cycle— from raw material extraction to waste management. Used since the 1980s by public institutions, researchers, and industry, LCA has become an essential tool for eco-design and decision-making. It adopts a comprehensive, multi-criteria, and multi-stage approach, taking into account various factors such as water scarcity and monetized environmental costs. Recommended by the European Union, it adapts to sectoral and regional specificities and plays a key role in assessing energy systems by identifying the main sources of pollution and opportunities for improvement at each stage of the life cycle.
Carbon footprint
The carbon footprint (GHG or greenhouse gas emissions assessment) is an official method for accounting for greenhouse gas emissions, developed by ADEME. It covers several key areas:
- Scope 1: Direct (on-site fuels, vehicles)
- Scope 2: Indirect emissions related to purchased and consumed energy
- Scope 3: other indirect emissions (for example: commuting, non-energy purchases, etc.)
Good to know: a greenhouse gas emissions report is mandatory every 4 years for companies with more than 500 employees and every 3 years for:
- State services;
- local authorities with more than 50,000 inhabitants;
- public institutions and other legal entities under public law with more than 250 employees.
How to reduce the carbon impact of your purchasing operations?
Renewable energy supply
Switching suppliers to a green electricity contract, using an energy broker to secure advantageous conditions, or even producing your own energy (photovoltaic self-consumption, hydroelectricity, waste heat recovery…): these choices immediately reduce your carbon footprint!
Investing in energy efficiency
Heat pumps, LED relamping , installation of heat pumps… These systems consume less energy, last longer, and improve user comfort. Powesco manages their deployment with tailored technical support (integrated design office) and financial assistance ( third-party financing , ESCO energy performance contracts , energy bonuses from the Energy Savings Certificates scheme ).
Modernizing your energy management tools
Centralizing energy data, monitoring performance in real time, and automatically detecting deviations: these are the benefits of energy management and control (energy management systems, BMS, BAS). When chosen and properly integrated, these services represent a quickly profitable investment.
Did you know? Powesco offers Nexstep, a SEME platform to effectively track your energy performance indicators, reduce your energy consumption and your carbon footprint!
Consider maintenance from the moment of purchase
Rather than replacing equipment as soon as it starts to malfunction, it's better to maintain it in optimal working order. Including a maintenance contract in the initial purchase extends the lifespan of the equipment while preventing further emissions associated with premature replacement.
Thus, according to Sébastien Turci, director of the DDAI, “ensure that part of the purchase budget can be allocated to warranty, maintenance for years and the acquisition of spare parts over several years, so as to delay the next purchase of equipment as much as possible”.
Why turn to a more responsible purchasing strategy?
Reduce supply costs
Energy prices are volatile. Relying on an expert like Powesco helps secure your energy purchases and avoid unpleasant surprises. Even better: by choosing the right contracts, you can permanently reduce your dependence on price increases.
Gaining competitiveness
An eco-designed product , a factory powered by renewable energy, or a visible transition strategy are powerful differentiators today . Your customers are receptive to these factors, and so are your partners. A responsible purchasing strategy is also a driver of growth.
Reduce legal risks
Companies are now required to publish their carbon footprint (BEGES), comply with the tertiary sector decree, and adhere to the CSRD (the Social and Solidarity Economy). By integrating procurement optimization into your low-carbon strategy, you anticipate these requirements and avoid penalties.
Purchasing is no longer just a budget item: it's at the heart of your decarbonization. At Powesco, we help you transform your purchasing policy into a driver of environmental and economic performance.
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