Sustainable Procurement
Every purchasing decision we make has an impact on the environment and on society – from the energy which our new computer consumes, to the conditions of the workers who made our clothes. Sustainable procurement means carefully considering these impacts when choosing what you buy.
Making the most out of public money
European public authorities spend over €2,000 billion (16 per cent of GDP) every year on goods and services.
An increasing number of European ICLEI members recognise the power of procurement for sustainability and not only are they leading the way internationally, they are also reaping the benefits.
From the early pioneers - Kolding (Denmark), Gothenburg (Sweden) and Zurich (Switzerland) - to the more recent achievers - Barcelona (Spain), Helsinki (Finland) and London (United Kingdom) – a public procurement policy which incorporates sustainability can:
- Reduce environmental impacts
- Drive social improvements, including support of fair trade
- Achieve financial efficiency
Information, exchange and action! Cities working together to move the market
ICLEI has been involved in the topic of sustainable public procurement since 1996. Current activities include:
- Procura+ Sustainable Procurement Campaign, a framework supporting local government and public authority action.
- EcoProcura series of conferences, providing procurers, sustainability experts and suppliers with a European meeting place.
- Mobilisation, information and advocacy – LG Action
- Guidance for sustainable public procurement:
- European Green Public Procurement Toolkit with advice for eleven different products and services.
- Guidelines for procurement to foster Sustainability in the United Nations.
- SMART SPP – using procurement to trigger innovation.
- Sustainable Construction and Innovation: SCI-Network.
- Advice for procurers for energy intensive appliances – Euro-Topten.
- pro-EE – joint green procurement by cities to foster energy efficiency.
- Organising green events.
- RESPIRO – promoting socially responsible public procurement.
- Purchasing Fair Trade products.
- Biofuels for transport – Biofuel Cities European Partnership.
More information
Go to our search or contact mark.hidson@iclei.org.