Including ESG criteria in tender analysis helps ensure suppliers align with the buyer’s sustainability initiatives (1) and helps identify risks within the supply chain (4), such as unethical labour practices or environmental harm. Improving workflow (2) and spend monitoring (3) are operational concerns but not ESG drivers. Responsible sourcing requires procurement professionals to integrate ESG into decision-making, ensuring not only cost-efficiency but also ethical compliance, resilience, and long-term value. This reflects the growing importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and stakeholder expectations.