At Stanwell, procurement is about more than just purchasing – it’s a powerful tool for positive impact. By prioritising ethical sourcing, reducing waste, and supporting local and diverse suppliers, Stanwell is ensuring that every dollar spent contributes to social, economic and environmental progress.

Now, with the launch of the company’s Sustainable Procurement Framework, Stanwell is taking these efforts even further, embedding responsible procurement into every decision.

Bart Courtney, Stanwell’s General Manager of Procurement & Supply, says the framework has been developed to consolidate and streamline the many sustainability efforts already underway at Stanwell.

"There were so many different functions working on procurement sustainability in different ways, it appeared diluted and needed increased coordination," Bart says. "We wanted to centralise everything and create a clear, simple approach, in order to ensure our procurement activities actively drive results."

A framework for sustainability

Stanwell’s Sustainable Procurement Framework is designed to ensure that purchasing decisions go beyond cost considerations, driving lasting benefits for communities, the economy and the environment.

Built around five key pillars, the framework guides procurement activities in line with Stanwell’s broader sustainability commitments:

Responsible procurement: Ensuring value for money, ethical practices, and long-term benefits.

Environmentally conscious: Reducing environmental impact wherever possible.

Buying local: Prioritising Queensland businesses and regional suppliers to strengthen the local economy.

Encouraging supplier diversity: Creating opportunities for underrepresented groups, including First Nations businesses, women-owned businesses, and social enterprises.

Supporting First Nations communities: Partnering with First Nations businesses to foster economic development and cultural pride.

The framework also provides the flexibility to evolve, ensuring that Stanwell can adapt as government policies and industry best practices change. “We built it in-house so we can refine and expand it as needed,” Bart says. “It’s about having a structured, yet adaptable, approach to sustainable procurement.”

Backing local businesses

Stanwell’s commitment to local procurement isn’t just rhetoric – it’s backed by action. In 2023/24, the company worked with 2,668 suppliers, spending $1.76 billion with Australian entities. Of this, $947 million was spent with Queensland businesses, including $96 million with regional suppliers.

"We spend a huge percentage of our procurement budget in Queensland and regional areas," Bart says. "Wherever possible, we prioritise local suppliers to ensure that the benefits of our work extend beyond our operations and into the communities we serve."

One example is the expansion of Stanwell’s procurement engineering panel, which saw nine new regional suppliers appointed from Rockhampton, Gladstone, and Toowoomba. Similarly, a long-term drilling services contract was awarded to a family-owned business in Kingaroy, boosting local employment opportunities and reducing mobilisation costs.

To ensure local businesses are given a fair opportunity, Stanwell can apply up to a 30 per cent weighting for local content in procurement evaluations. Stanwell also applies a local benefits test for all significant tenders, ensuring that local suppliers are always considered.

"If we can’t invite a local supplier, we have to justify why," Bart says. "This ensures we actively support regional businesses wherever possible."

Beyond direct financial investment, Stanwell takes a broader view of value – one that considers the long-term impact of its procurement choices.

"Everyone immediately thinks value equals the lowest price, but that’s not the case," says Sharon Ryan, Stanwell’s Group Manager for Procurement Services.

"When we engage local businesses, that spend goes back into the community. It supports jobs, training, education, and reinvestment in local economies. That has real value.”

For Stanwell, value isn’t just about dollars spent – it’s about the ripple effect that procurement decisions create.

"It’s not just about price; it’s about what that spend does for the broader community,” Sharon adds. “That’s why we make deliberate choices to engage businesses that provide long-term benefits."

A standout example of Stanwell’s sustainable procurement approach is its partnership with ModX, a Rockhampton-based manufacturer, for the Stanwell Power Station outage village project. The project, which involved the construction of 23 modular buildings, was the largest ModX had undertaken to date.

Through the collaboration, ModX was able to expand its capabilities, create local jobs, and strengthen Queensland’s manufacturing sector. The project also highlighted the importance of supplier development, with Stanwell providing guidance on safety, environmental, and project management standards.

Diversity and inclusion in the supply chain

Diversity and inclusion are key pillars of Stanwell’s procurement framework. The company is committed to creating opportunities for First Nations businesses, social enterprises, women-owned businesses, and businesses owned by people with disabilities or culturally diverse backgrounds.

In 2023/24, Stanwell spent $1.15 million with First Nations suppliers – more than doubling its previous year’s spend of $468,000. The company has now set an ambitious target of increasing this figure to $5 million by 2028.

"This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about making deliberate choices to break down barriers and create real opportunities," Sharon says.

"You can’t buy from businesses you can’t see, so we’re actively working on supplier discovery, attending events, and engaging with businesses to build those connections. It’s about making sure opportunities reach those who have traditionally been excluded.”

Powering the circular economy through procurement

Stanwell is increasingly focused on integrating circular economy principles into its procurement practices to reduce waste and improve resource efficiency.

"Circularity is an emerging priority for us," Sharon says. "Over the next year, we’re exploring opportunities to implement circular economy principles into our processes. Some initiatives already in progress include recycling uniforms to distribute to remote communities and investigating pallet recycling programs."

While there is still work to be done, Stanwell is committed to finding innovative ways to reduce waste and promote sustainable resource use across its operations.

As Stanwell continues to transition to a clean energy future, procurement remains a key driver of positive change. By prioritising local suppliers, fostering supplier diversity and embracing sustainable practices, the company is creating shared value for businesses, communities and stakeholders.

For organisations looking to build or improve their own sustainable procurement frameworks, starting with the basics is key. “Don’t commit to unachievable targets,” advises Bart. “Educate internal teams on what’s required, and don’t underestimate how difficult it can be at times – but the rewards far outweigh the challenges.”

By making sustainability a core principle in procurement, Stanwell is demonstrating that responsible sourcing isn’t just good business – it’s a force for long-term economic, social and environmental impact.

"Procurement is one of the most powerful tools we have to make a real impact," Bart says. "Every decision we make isn’t just about meeting business objectives – it’s also about building a stronger, more inclusive, and more sustainable Queensland."