Sustainable procurement is the approach of incorporating both environmental and social considerations into procurement processes. It ensures that purchased goods or services not only offer value for money, but also promote positive societal outcomes and minimize environmental harm throughout their entire life cycle.
Within the EU, sustainable procurement spans Green Public Procurement (GPP)—which prioritizes low-impact items like energy-efficient or eco-labeled products—alongside social procurement initiatives, such as requiring fair labor practices or community engagement. The European Commission defines sustainable public procurement as a method by which contracting bodies seek a balanced approach across economic, environmental, and social dimensions when sourcing goods, services, or works. GPP in particular supports resource efficiency and circular economy goals by encouraging life-cycle costing and innovation.
In practice, sustainable procurement allows public authorities to align purchasing decisions with broader policy objectives such as climate action and social inclusion. This translates into including sustainability criteria in tender documents—like eco-label certification, carbon footprint reporting, or social value targets—while ensuring adherence to transparency and fairness in procurement. The result is enhanced innovation, enduring cost savings, and improved public trust.
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