Key Summary
- 81% of procurement leaders say ESG factors influence purchasing decisions.
- 85% struggle to find sustainable suppliers.
- Only 17% of suppliers feel meaningful pressure from customers to improve sustainability.
- The challenge isn’t intent, it’s discovering and verifying trusted suppliers.
- Greenfind addresses this through a traceable sustainable sourcing platform.
According to survey findings shared at EcoVadis’s Sustain 2026 conference, supplier discovery remains one of the biggest barriers to sustainable sourcing.
The Confidence Trap: What the Data Actually Shows
The numbers tell an important story. While procurement leaders increasingly prioritise ESG, most still struggle to identify suppliers that meet sustainability requirements. At the same time, very few suppliers feel strong customer pressure to improve their sustainability performance.
The result is a gap between ambition and execution. Organisations know where they want to go but often lack the infrastructure to get there.
This challenge extends beyond individual organisations. An OECD report on environmentally sustainable supply chains notes that effective supplier verification depends on robust, independent assurance mechanisms, supported by traceability, transparent documentation, and third-party verification, not self-declared sustainability claims alone.
Why “ESG Matters” Isn’t the Real Challenge
For years, the sustainability conversation has focused on why ESG matters. That debate is largely settled.
Today’s procurement teams have a different problem. They need to identify suppliers, verify sustainability claims, and make confident sourcing decisions.
This challenge is becoming more significant as procurement takes on a larger role in ESG performance. The World Economic Forum notes that procurement teams are increasingly expected to reduce Scope 3 emissions, yet many still lack reliable supplier data and consistent ways to measure sustainability performance.
What Verification Actually Requires
Supplier ESG verification goes far beyond a vendor questionnaire.
It involves validating material traceability, reviewing compliance documentation, checking certifications, and understanding where materials originate. Without documented evidence, sustainability claims are difficult to trust. A traceable supply chain gives procurement teams the confidence to make informed purchasing decisions.
How Greenfind Solves This
This is exactly the challenge Greenfind was built to solve.
Greenfind is Fitsol’s closed B2B marketplace for sustainable materials, connecting businesses with verified, traceable suppliers. Procurement teams can source recycled plastics, tyre-derived materials, recycled aluminium and copper, EPR credits, returnable packaging, and alternative shipment materials without starting every supplier search from scratch.
Instead of spending weeks searching, validating, and comparing vendors, teams can focus on faster, more informed sourcing decisions.
Procurement teams no longer need another reason to care about ESG. They need trusted suppliers they can find and verify. That’s the gap Greenfind is designed to close.
Explore Greenfind → Click here
FAQ
What is a verified sustainable supplier?
A supplier whose sustainability claims are supported by documented, traceable evidence rather than self-reported statements.
How do I verify a supplier’s sustainability claims?
Review traceability, compliance documentation, certifications, and independent supplier verification, not questionnaires alone.
What is a sustainable sourcing marketplace?
A B2B platform that connects buyers with verified suppliers of recycled and sustainable materials, making supplier discovery simpler and more transparent.
What’s the biggest challenge your procurement team faces when sourcing sustainable suppliers—discovery, verification, compliance, or something else? (Answer in the comments below)
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