From Recognition to Results: A 2024 Winner Reflects on the SPLC Leadership Awards

The SPLC Leadership Awards recognize and honor the organizations and individuals demonstrating exceptional dedication and innovation in integrating sustainability into core procurement practices. Each year, submissions reflect the growing sophistication of sustainable procurement—from circular strategies and supplier engagement to equity-focused sourcing and measurable emissions reductions.

The winner of the 2024 SPLC Leadership Award for Business Case was the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). PAHO has integrated sustainability into its procurement practices, emphasizing “best value for money” that includes technical specifications, quality, price, and sustainability. Following the impact of COVID-19, climate change emerged as a significant health threat, evidenced by a dramatic rise in dengue cases linked to rising temperatures. To combat this, PAHO is focusing on emissions reduction across its supply chain, particularly through its $1.2 billion procurement portfolio, which includes 3,000 annual shipments to 41 countries.

The PAHO Carbon Emission Reduction Project aims for a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions intensity factor by 2030. A strategic partnership with GSK has introduced innovative transportation methods, allowing vaccines to be shipped by sea while maintaining cold chain protocols, resulting in a 43% cost saving and 83% reduction in CO2 emissions for initial shipments. This groundbreaking approach sets a precedent for the pharmaceutical industry, demonstrating that sustainable solutions can be both effective and cost-efficient, encouraging broader collaboration and innovation in supply chain practices. Lessons learned emphasize that sustainability does not equate to higher costs and that effective partnerships with the private sector can yield significant benefits for health systems in resource-limited settings.

In this video Roberto Samayoa, Procurement Operational Excellence and Compliance Specialist at PAHO, describes the winning case study and the importance of the SPLC Leadership Awards Program. 

SPLC members can read the full case study or watch a webinar recording about the PAHO and GSK partnership. 

Learn more about the SPLC Leadership Awards Program - 2026 submissions are due September 11!