What is the connection between public purchasing and the environment?

Public authorities are major consumers in Europe, spending some 16 % of the EU’s gross domestic product (which is a sum equivalent to half the GDP of Germany). By using their purchasing power to opt for goods and services that also respect the environment, they can make an important contribution towards sustainable development.

Green public procurement covers areas such as the purchase of energy-effi cient computers and buildings, office equipment made of environmentally sustainable timber, recyclable paper, electric cars, environment-friendly public transport, organic food in canteens, electricity stemming from renewable energy sources, and air conditioning systems complying with state of the art environmental solutions.

Green purchasing is also about setting an example and infl uencing the market place. By promoting green procurement, public authorities can provide industry with real incentives for developing green technologies. In some product, works and service sectors, the impact can be particularly signifi cant, as public purchasers command a large share of the market (in computers, energy-effi cient buildings, public transport, and so on).

Finally, if you consider life-cycle costs of a contract, green public procurement allows you to save money and protect the environment at the same time. By purchasing wisely, you can save materials and energy, reduce waste and pollution, and encourage sustainable patterns of behaviour.

Download Buying green! A handbook on environmental public procurement

Pdf format, 572kb, 40pages.

European Commission, 2004.

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