The goods and services we buy, how, from where and from whom we buy them are all crucial elements of our sustainability impact. This is why we’ve embedded Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices into our sourcing and procurement activities. We’re committed to making a positive environmental and social impact and we expect the same from our suppliers.
We apply a sustainability and climate risk policy framework to all our activities and have set standards for supply chain management decisions. We’ve identified certain controversial activities we won’t engage in, and certain areas of concern where we’ll only engage in under stringent criteria.
Responsible Supply Chain Management Policy
Responsible Supply Chain Management Policy
Our firm-wide Responsible Supply Chain Management (RSCM) framework is a key component of our procurement activities. The framework is based on identifying, assessing and monitoring vendor practices in the areas of human and labor rights, environment and nature, health and safety, and anti-corruption.
Central to our RSCM framework is our Responsible Supply Chain Management Policy, to which our direct suppliers are bound by contract. These requirements set out our expectations from suppliers in relation to legal compliance, environmental and nature protection, avoidance of child and forced labor, non-discrimination, diversity, equity and inclusion, remuneration, hours of work, freedom of association, humane treatment, health and safety, anti-corruption measures, and whistleblowing protection. We expect our suppliers to apply these requirements to their own suppliers and subcontractors as well.
Recognizing that there are different legal, competitive and cultural environments in which UBS's suppliers operate throughout the world, the RSCM Policy serves as a benchmark for assessing sustainable practices of our suppliers.
Our high-impact vendors, who are identified when establishing new contracts or renewals, are assessed against our RSCM Policy. They are required to provide disclosures about their management practices along with corresponding evidence.
As a part of our vendor evaluation and selection process, we’ve included minimum weighting for ESG criteria in our tenders. This ensures that we award business to vendors with strong ESG performance and incentivize vendors who want to work with us to show commitment and improvement in these areas.
Sustainable procurement guide
Sustainable procurement guide
Sustainable practices and sustainable procurement are not trends, they are ways of doing business that can drive positive change and foster a more environmentally, socially, and economically responsible world.
We’ve curated a sustainable procurement guide to support our vendors in enhancing their performance in alignment with our firm’s responsible supply chain requirements. From environmental certification to waste management and sustainability reporting, this guide provides insights on how our vendors can take a significant step towards reducing their environmental footprint, promote ethical and inclusive practices in their supply chain, and contribute to the well-being of ecosystems.
We’re unlocking the power of our supply chain to drive positive environmental action. We engage with our suppliers on climate disclosures to create transparency and commitment towards the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in our supply chain.
Our climate disclosure expectations
Our climate disclosure expectations
We expect our suppliers to partner with us on our climate journey and disclose their climate information through CDP, a non-profit, global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts. Being part of the CDP Supply Chain program enables us to understand the environmental impact across our upstream value chain and strengthens our collective transition to a low-carbon economy and a sustainable future.
Our Climate Disclosure Guideline for vendors outlines the requirements and expectations for suppliers in providing transparency on their greenhouse gas data, climate target setting, emissions reduction, and climate risk management. The guideline supports our suppliers to understand and align with our sustainability strategy. We regularly conduct webinars and guide suppliers through the disclosure process and requirements.