Future trends and innovation4 As green procurement matures, the next frontier lies in navigating disruptions while staying ahead of innovation curves. Over the coming decade, procurement leaders will face a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by breakthrough technologies, shifting geopolitical realities, varying government commitments to sustainability and the growing imperative for decarbonization. The most effective CPOs will not only respond, they will anticipate and shape these transformations. Procurement powered by intelligence Artificial intelligence, automation and blockchain are redefining procurement. Transactional tasks – such as supplier onboarding, RFx design and contract monitoring – are increasingly delegated to intelligent systems. Procurement teams are focusing on strategic areas such as supplier innovation, risk management and sustainability outcomes. Generative AI tools will help evaluate supplier sustainability claims, draft sustainability clauses and simulate sourcing scenarios with environmental trade-offs. Resilient and localized supply networks Recent global shocks have exposed the fragility of extended supply chains. Over the coming years, procurement leaders will prioritize resilience, diversifying supplier bases, increasing regional sourcing and embedding contingency into supply strategies. This reconfiguration is also a sustainability lever. Shorter supply chains can help reduce emissions from transport and improve traceability, while also reducing vulnerability to tariffs. Natural disasters are expected to rise sharply by 2030, a milestone for many global climate targets, adding urgency to build climate-adaptive, future-ready networks.Circular models and breakthrough materials With rising demand for resource efficiency, procurement will enable circular business models. Leaders are shifting from linear “take-make-waste” systems toward closed-loop supply chains that include recyclability, reuse and product-as-a- service models. At the same time, a wave of innovation in materials, from bio-based polymers to novel production methods of green steel and low-carbon cement, is opening new pathways for decarbonization. Decarbonization as a procurement mandate As regulatory pressure mounts and 2030 commitments near, companies will increasingly tie procurement to decarbonization. Internal carbon pricing, supplier engagement on emissions targets and sustainability-linked contracts are moving from experimentation to implementation. Procurement must show measurable impact, with CPOs accountable for progress. Building the future-ready function This transformation requires more than technology. It demands a reimagining of procurement’s role to be lean, digitally fluent and highly collaborative. Procurement will be embedded in product design, business planning and sustainability governance. The decade ahead will be decisive: 2030 marks a milestone for many corporate climate goals and global sustainability frameworks, accelerating pressure to act. While the full transformation will take time, leading organizations are already setting the pace. This playbook offers a starting point, with future publications diving into emerging innovations, helping CPOs turn foresight into action. Green Procurement Playbook: The CPO’s Guide to Delivering Value for Business and Planet 48

Green Procurement Playbook 2025