As part of our #PlanetSeries, we turn the spotlight on the everyday actions of our people who are innovating, pioneering, and embracing solutions that will leave the planet in a better place for future generations.
This month, we explore supply chain sustainability with David Waldron, Kirby’s Procurement Director.
Given that 98% of our carbon emissions’ footprint is attributed to Scope 3 emissions – David, his team and our supply chain are pivotal to ensuring we reach our reduction targets.
Earlier this year, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) officially validated Kirby’s near-term greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets. The milestone saw our approach and commitment to reducing our carbon emissions externally audited and ratified. We have set a target of reducing our Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from Scope 3 by 35% by 2034 (using 2023 baseline figures).
David has been part of our sustainability strategy from the start. As core member of our multi-departmental Sustainability Committee, he completed the Irish Management Institute Transformational Leadership in Sustainability Programme in 2023. The programme ensured insights around the key challenges facing other leaders and organisations were reflected and implemented – ensuring Kirby had meaningful sustainability goals from the beginning. With a dedicated sustainability team now in place, alongside partnerships, auditing, and training and development, we are ensuring that we leave the planet in a better place for future generations.
We speak to David about his role, and the journey the team has been on to get to where we are now.
Can you tell us a bit about your role?
I have overall responsibility for supply chain management and procurement at Kirby.
A key part of my role is working with clients, our operations teams and the sustainability team to ensure we have the materials and supply chain in place to be able to deliver complex engineering projects across Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe.
As we have grown in terms of the size, scale and the geography of the projects we deliver, we have worked hard as a team to ensure we have the processes and systems in place to ensure that excellence in delivery.
That includes implementing a system of traceability into our own supply chain and on our vendors. This approach will allow us to better understand the marketplace and our supply chain in detail, and how any products we use have been manufactured to the benefit of our environment and community.
Can you tell us about Kirby’s supply chain and role they play in driving down emissions?
Procurement is a key aspect of Kirby’s sustainability policy, as we work with our clients, the community, our supply chain and employees to respond to climate change and develop our business to meet the needs of present and future generations.
We are highly strategic in our approach to critical packages and with key suppliers in place to draw upon to deliver projects across Europe. They are key to putting into action programmes and practices that reduce the use of natural resources, promote energy-efficient products and technologies to add value for our clients, communities and our planet.
Up to now, our approach to sustainability in the supply chain has been twofold:
- We have been creating local supply chains to reduce carbon emissions and boost local spend, and fairtrade and sustainable materials choices. While also driving down wastage and increasing reuse and recycling.
- Prefabrication and modular construction have also been transformative – not just for site efficiency, but also for sustainability. Building switch rooms off-site in controlled environments at our manufacturing facility in Portlaoise has improved quality, cut waste, and reduced emissions.
How is Kirby embedding sustainability into its existing procurement processes?
We are collaborating closely with our sustainability team to co-develop a Sustainable Procurement Policy and Supplier Code of Conduct that clearly defines expectations for both internal teams – procurement, operations, and pre-construction – and our external supply chain partners. These documents will embed environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into our procurement processes, including supplier pre-qualification. Our goal is to drive responsible sourcing, enhance transparency, and foster long-term partnerships with suppliers that share our commitment to sustainability. This initiative marks a key step in aligning our procurement practices with our broader sustainability ambitions.
How do supplier relationships factor into resilience and sustainability?
Strong partnerships are essential. We are working hand in hand with our supply chain to capture Scope 3 emissions and support them in developing their own sustainability plans and will deepen collaboration through the Supply Chain Sustainability School.
The school promotes collaboration between industry peers and focuses on building the skills of our supply chain through free training and resources. This year we will drive this aspect of our sustainability plan and work with both our employees and supply chain to raise awareness and consequently drive down emissions.
What is one thing you would like people to take away from this article?
Times are changing. Procurement is more than just getting goods and materials to projects on time and on budget. As we look to leave the planet in a better place for the future, we need to consider our impact on the environment.
