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Developing a responsible supply chain

With a multi-billion-dollar supply chain Accenture has a significant opportunity to use our procurement process to drive responsible change at scale.

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We can be the difference

Responsible buying allows us to work within our ecosystem to identify, develop and work with smaller, more diverse suppliers with increased agility. We also request select suppliers to provide information and data on how they are improving their business performance to reduce their environmental impact, which, in turn, helps us improve our performance.

Our Supplier Inclusion & Sustainability Program, which reaches 21 countries, allows us to drive a more-inclusive marketplace. By incorporating diverse businesses into our supply chain, we gain access to innovative, responsive and cost-competitive solutions for our clients.

Some of our partners includes several membership organizations, like:

 

Accenture Supplier Inclusion & Sustainability: Be the Champion

Join Accenture in building inclusive and responsible supply chains and workforces.

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"We believe inclusive procurement practices create long-term value for our clients and our communities, while helping us remain agile, disruptive and ahead of the market."

— Kai Nowosel, Chief Procurement Officer

Diverse Supplier Development Program

Accenture's Diverse Supplier Development Program (DSDP) reflects our commitment to developing and expanding relationships with diverse businesses owned by minorities, women, persons with disabilities, LGBT, veterans, disabled veterans, and service-disabled veterans, and others.

The formal 18-month program matches Accenture executive mentors with diverse supplier "protégé" companies to help them grow their businesses. In turn, our company, clients, and communities benefit from their innovative contributions. Not only does DSDP represent a strategic sourcing strategy for Accenture and our clients, but also strengthens communities by creating more businesses, jobs, and economic growth.

We continue to prioritize diverse suppliers, including through our Global Diverse Supplier Development Program (DSDP). We are exceeding our 2020 goal to graduate 170 diverse suppliers . Our new goal is to graduate 250 diverse suppliers by the end of fiscal 2023.

By the numbers

196

Small, medium and diverse suppliers developed through our DSDP.

1

Level 1- Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment in South Africa.

4

Accenture ranks 4 in 2021 TOP 10 Global Champions for Supplier Diversity.

Sustainability commitment

We are committed to advancing sustainable procurement practices both within and outside our company. To that end, we expect our suppliers to provide updates around their environmental initiatives, goals and impact, and we encourage local and regional teams to discuss sustainable procurement during their regular supplier meetings. By engaging our suppliers on the benefits of sustainability, we are increasing the number of participants that monitor, measure and report their environmental impact.

*Key suppliers are defined as vendors that represent a significant portion of our 2019 Scope 3 emissions

58%

of our key suppliers* disclosed targets and 60% have disclosed actions to reduce their emissions

CDP’s supply chain program

As a corporate member of CDP’s Supply Chain Program, we use CDP tools to promote engagement, transparency and sustainable business practices with our suppliers.

As part of our goal to reach net-zero by 2025, we set an ambitious target requiring 90% of our key suppliers* to disclose their environmental targets and actions being taken to reduce emissions by 2025. Scope 3 emissions are an important and often overlooked metric in addressing climate change.

In fiscal 2021, 71% of the suppliers we invited to participate responded, above the CDP average of 67%—with 58% of suppliers disclosing their targets, and 60% disclosing the actions they are taking, both metrics up from 57% in fiscal 2020.

5 reasons why you should prioritize supplier diversity

Supplier diversity is more relevant – and necessary – than ever before. It’s long been a corporate focal point, thanks to federal requirements to demonstrate inclusiveness and equal opportunity. But many companies with Supplier Diversity programs historically have treated them like “check the box” or non-essential programs, which are often deprioritized when things get though.

By making supplier diversity essential within their procurement strategy, companies can generate value in five key ways.

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Highlights

A culture of responsible buying

We believe supplier inclusion lies at the heart of our procurement strategy. See how we’re cultivating a culture of responsible buying on a global scale.

Supplier Inclusion & Diversity

We believe inclusive procurement creates long-term value for our clients and our communities. Read our case study and see how we are cultivating a culture of responsible buying on a global scale.

Businesswomen grow economies: Singapore is next

Read our case study on how enabling the growth of women-owned businesses could increase the size of Singapore’s economy by as much as S$95 billion.

East Meets West / Winner in Category Corporates

In 2021, Accenture won the East Meets West Category Corporates award for our continued efforts to improve the status of the LGBTQI community through Corporate Social Responsibility and a responsible supply chain.

Recognized in the market

Accenture was named Corporation of the Year by the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council for our work in Supplier Inclusion and Sustainability in Canada. Learn more about CAMSC.

Empowering champions of change

Our Diverse Supplier Development Program matches Accenture executive mentors with diverse supplier companies to help their businesses grow. Learn more about our approach in South Africa.

Connect with us

Guide to doing business with Accenture

Read about our requirements for suppliers and onboarding processes.

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Accenture Supplier Connection

See information and links for our supplier portal, invoicing and more.

Supplier awareness

Learn how we can all collaborate to improve the way the world works and lives.

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