Why sustainable procurement?
Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) integrates social and environmental criteria in public tendering procedures, thereby fostering sustainable consumption. By virtue of its overall demand, the public sector can thus promote social and environmental responsibility and stimulate the market for sustainable goods and services.
Due to globalisation, supply chains are fragmented and internationalised. Social and environmental standards are not always guaranteed by regulations. By strengthening the demand side for sustainable products, SPP can contribute to socio- and environmental-political objectives in producer and consumer countries alike. Furthermore, SPP can help you to procure in a way that is solution-oriented as well as energy- and resource-efficient, thereby achieving an overall economic advantage in the long run.
Each phase of the procurement process leaves room for manoeuvre to integrate social and environmental sustainability aspects.
Sustainability Compass: Sustainable Public Procurement
European Webportals and Networks:
Sustainable Procurement Resource Centre
On this platform you can find news, case-studies and funding opportunities in Europe. There is a huge ressource center containing information material on various topics in relation to sustainable procurement. The Sustainable Procurement Platform is run by ICLEI's Sustainable Procurement and Economy team, based in Freiburg, Germany.
Procurement Forum
On this platform procurement operators of public authorities from all over Europe (1600 members in August 2014) exchange information on sustainable and innovative public procurement.The Procurement Forum is managed by the European Secretariat of ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability.