About GPP
- Definition
Green Public Procurement (GPP) defined by the European Commission as: “a process whereby public authorities seek to procure goods, services and works with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle when compared to goods, services and works with the same primary function that would otherwise be procured.”
- Objectives – Benefits
Contracting authorities and contracting entities are major buyers of goods, services and works, therefore public procurements are a great way for implementing environmental, social and economic policies. By using their purchasing power to choose environmentally friendly goods, services and works, they contribute locally, regionally and nationally to the achievement of national and international sustainability and environmental policy objectives. These objectives relate to the rational use of resources through sustainable consumption and production of goods and the mitigation of climate change.
Green public procurements (GPPs) promote innovation and provide incentives for the development of green products and services. In addition, taking into account the life cycle cost of a good, service or project, GPPs contribute to cost savings in public sector.
Green public procurements (GPPs) are related to the principles of Circular Economy. According to European Commission, Circular Public Procurements are defined as “a process whereby public authorities seek to procure goods, services and works with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle when compared to goods, services and works with the same primary function that would otherwise be procured”. GPPs play a main role in circular economy, that’s why European Commission uses this in its own supplies and emphasizes on aspects such as durability and ability to repair.
The gradual application of environmental criteria in public procurements will contribute to:
- Reduction of energy and ecological footprint and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the handle of climate change.
- Reduction of adverse effects on the environment.
- Sustainable and efficient use of natural resources and energy.
- Promotion of innovation and competitiveness.
- Public resources saving, taking into account the life cycle cost.
- Demand for secondary materials by strengthening domestic entrepreneurship, environmental technologies, repair and reuse services, as well as the cyclical pattern of production and consumption instead of the linear one.
- Raise social awareness on environmental issues, reproduce and extend the procurement model in private sector.
