
“ESG isn’t just a compliance checkbox — it’s your competitive advantage in today’s business landscape.”
ESG as a game-changer in tenders
In today’s business environment, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria have become central to the tendering / Request for Proposal (‘RFP’) process across virtually every sector (1). Whether you are in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, technology, or services, clients and regulators are demanding more than just price and quality—they want to see a clear commitment to sustainability strategy, ethical governance, and social responsibility.
For procurement teams, sustainability officers, sales and bid managers, and C-suite executives, this shift presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is to meet increasingly complex ESG requirements; the opportunity is to differentiate your organisation and win more business by demonstrating genuine ESG leadership.
At Nexio Projects, we specialise in helping organisations excel in the ESG components of tenders / RFP. Our approach is data-driven, pragmatic, and tailored to your industry and business model—whether you need targeted support on a specific ESG issue or a full ESG strategy to underpin your bids.
What is the ESG component in tenders?
ESG in tenders refers to the inclusion of environmental, social, and governance criteria in the evaluation and selection of suppliers or partners. These criteria are now routinely embedded in RFPs and can account for anywhere from 10% to 50% of the overall scoring—sometimes even more in sectors where ESG risks are material (2).
Typical ESG requirements in tenders might include:
- Environmental: Carbon footprint, energy efficiency, waste management, resource use, and climate risk management.
- Social: Diversity and inclusion, labour practices, health and safety, community engagement, and human rights.
- Governance: Ethical conduct, anti-corruption policies, data privacy, board diversity, and supply chain transparency.
The weighting and focus of ESG criteria can vary significantly by industry and client. For example, a manufacturing client may prioritise emissions and resource efficiency, while a technology client may focus on data privacy and responsible sourcing.
Step-by-step: Addressing ESG in RFPs
1. Understanding and scoping ESG requirements
The first step is to carefully review the RFP or tender documentation to identify all ESG-related questions and expectations. This may involve:
- Mapping out explicit ESG questions and implicit expectations.
- Clarifying ambiguous requirements with the issuer.
- Understanding the scoring methodology and weighting of ESG criteria.
2. Gathering and benchmarking data
Once requirements are clear, the next step is to gather internal ESG data and benchmark it against industry standards. This involves:
- Collecting data on emissions, diversity, governance structures, and other relevant metrics.
- Using recognised frameworks such as GRI, ESRS, EcoVadis, and CDP to ensure credibility (3).
- Identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement.
3. Developing and documenting policies
To demonstrate commitment, organisations need robust policies and procedures on key ESG topics. This might include:
- Climate strategy and emissions reduction plans.
- Human rights and diversity policies.
- Supplier codes of conduct and due diligence procedures.
4. Providing evidence and examples
Tender evaluators are looking for evidence, not just promises. This means:
- Supplying concrete examples of ESG initiatives, progress, and outcomes.
- Highlighting third-party ratings or certifications (e.g., EcoVadis, B Corp) (4).
- Including case studies or testimonials where possible.
5. Continuous improvement and monitoring
Finally, it is important to show that ESG is not a one-off exercise but a journey of continuous improvement. This can be achieved by:
- Outlining plans for ongoing ESG improvement, such as setting science-based targets.
- Establishing monitoring and reporting systems for key metrics.
- Committing to regular reviews and updates.

Nexio Projects’ services: From topic-specific to full ESG strategy
Who are we?
Nexio Projects is your full-service sustainability partner, helping organisations navigate complex ESG challenges and take meaningful climate action. Recognised by Verdantix as one of the top 10 boutique ESG consultancies globally, we support every stage of your sustainability journey — from strategy to reporting and implementation.
As a certified B Corp and strategic EcoVadis partner since 2018, our in-house team includes certified B Leaders with expertise across key regulations, standards and frameworks. With over 400 clients and 1,000+ projects delivered in 20+ countries and 25+ sectors, including logistics, manufacturing, chemicals and consumer goods, we’re here to turn ambition into action.
How can we help?
At Nexio Projects, we offer a spectrum of support to help you succeed in the ESG side of tenders. Here is how we can provide ESG support for RFPs:
Industry spotlight: ESG tender snapshots

Scenario:
A mid-sized manufacturer is competing for a significant contract with a global automotive company. The tender allocates 25% of its score to ESG, with a particular focus on carbon emissions reduction and supply chain transparency—two areas increasingly scrutinised by regulators and clients alike (5).
Key challenges:
- Limited internal resources and expertise to set targets / roadmap and link the same to standardised ESG regulations and frameworks.
- Difficulty in tracking and reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, especially Scope 3 (supply chain) data.
- Need for structured, auditable sustainability planning across the value chain rather than ad-hoc initiatives.
Nexio Projects’ solutions:
- ESG gap analysis: Conducting a baseline assessment of the manufacturer’s overarching sustainability targets, strategy & governance model and policies-actions-targets-metrices (an ESG global framework) and for key industry topics and requirements of the tender.
- Roadmap: Developing a targeted plan for reducing carbon emissions, including recommendations for green technologies and energy efficiency upgrades, as well as for key social KPI’s and supply chain engagement.
- Supply chain mapping: Gather and analyse key supplier ESG data, improving Scope 3 emissions tracking and transparency through our partners.
- Supply chain engagement strategy: Created a supplier engagement framework which included comprehensive risk assessment(s), due diligence procedures, code of conduct and timely audits to ensure ethical sourcing and compliance throughout the value chain.
- Reporting framework: Establishing key KPI’s, processes and systems for ongoing ESG data collection and reporting, aligning with CSRD, IFRS and other relevant jurisdictional / topical frameworks to prepare for future scope and client requirements.
- Presentation and annual reporting – Helping the client in bringing together the strategy, in a story telling format, to be submitted for the RFP. Also, helping the client in the annual and quarterly reporting with the tender owner.

Scenario:
A small-to-medium enterprise (SME) in the technology sector is bidding for a contract with a leading financial institution. The RFP assigns a 15% ESG weighting, focusing on data privacy, energy efficiency in data centres, and key social metrices (like pay equity, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policy, living wage, employee engagement etc).
Key challenges:
- Limited resources to dedicate to ESG initiatives while maintaining profitability.
- Need to demonstrate robust data privacy and security practices, as well as measurable progress on social metrices.
- Pressure to align with clients’ sustainability kpis, including net zero targets and transparent governance.
Nexio Projects’ solutions:
- ESG framework establishment: Helping the SME set up a basic ESG management framework, including policies on data privacy, employee matters, and climate.
- Certification support: Guiding the company through ISO 27001 certification for data security and helped document their compliance protocols.
- Decarbonisation strategy and energy efficiency measures: Developing a roadmap for achieving net zero targets aligned with client expectations summary of energy efficiency projects and renewable energy sourcing for their data centre operations.
- Strategy: Assisting in creating a DEI strategy, including setting targets and collecting evidence of progress for the tender submission.
- ESG reporting tools: Introduced digital ESG tools, data collection process’ and reporting frameworks to streamline data collection, stakeholder engagement, and reporting, making the process manageable for a small team.
The Nexio Projects advantage: From compliance to purpose
What sets Nexio Projects apart is our holistic, hands-on approach. We combine technical expertise, industry knowledge, and a pragmatic mindset to ensure our clients not only meet but exceed the ESG demands of today’s tenders.
Why sales teams are key to ESG success
Sales and bid teams are often the first to encounter ESG requirements in tenders—and the first to realise when additional support is needed. By working closely with sales professionals, Nexio Projects ensures that ESG strengths are communicated effectively and credibly, turning compliance into a powerful sales tool.
We provide:
- Strategic messaging and value proposition development
- Training and enablement for sales teams
- Seamless collaboration between sales, ESG, and technical experts
The business case for robust ESG in tenders
The integration of ESG into tenders is not a passing trend—it is the new standard. Organisations that invest in robust, credible ESG strategies are not only more likely to win contracts but also to build stronger, more resilient businesses for the future.
Ready to win your next tender with ESG?
Contact Nexio Projects today to discover how we can help you turn sustainability into your competitive advantage. Request a free consultation for ESG support on your RFP:

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References
- PwC (2021) The ESG imperative. Available at: https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/services/governance-insights-center/esg.html (Accessed: 20 July 2025).
- McKinsey & Company (2022) The state of ESG in procurement. Available at: https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/sustainability/our-insights (Accessed: 20 July 2025).
- CDP (2023) CDP Scoring Methodology and Standards. Available at: https://www.cdp.net/en/scores (Accessed: 20 July 2025).
- B Lab (2023) What is a B Corp?. Available at: https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/certification (Accessed: 20 July 2025).
- European Commission (2023) Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Available at: https://finance.ec.europa.eu/capital-markets-union-and-financial-markets/company-reporting-and-auditing/corporate-sustainability-reporting_en (Accessed: 20 July 2025).