Economic
Economic implications of sustainable procurement policy span a broad range of areas. Central governments' priorities vary from ensuring that current resource consumption does not compromise the needs of the future, to promoting the interests of developing countries. Devolved bodies have an interest in localised implications, such as area regeneration and the creation of community-centric markets. In this section you will find publications covering issues across these fields.
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Costing the Future: Securing Value for Money Through Sustainable Procurement (PDF) Westminster Sustainable Business Forum , 2008 A report which looks at the challenges facing public procurement, especially for public buildings, both at the national and local levels. It promotes a whole-life costing approach to value-for-money assessment so that it better takes account of future environmental and social costs. UK
Poverty Pay: How Public Sector Pay Fails Deprived Areas (Web Page)
Harding, Robert, 2007
Social Market Foundation (SMF)
This paper argues that the UK's system of public sector pay does not target resources effectively in those areas that need them most, and that the government should introduce a zonal pay system in the public sector to deal with shortages of well-qualified public sector workers in specific areas. It contends that the benefits of such a system include the creation of better public services in deprived areas, fairness to staff who work in these deprived areas and better use of public money spent on British health and education. The full report can be downloaded for free via the above link.
Recruitment 2020: How recruitment is changing and why it matters (PDF) Gallagher, Niamh and O'Leary, Duncan , 2007 Demos This report argues that the traditional divide between extremely personalized recruitment for highly skilled jobs and relatively standardized recruitment will soon be closing. The main aims of the study are to offer a guide to recruitment, and suggest a way of improving efficiency and fairness in recruitment. The study also makes recommendation supporting the recruitment pattern. ISBN 978 1 84180 180 3 UK
Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change (Web Page)
Stern, Sir Nicholas, 2007
HM Treasury
The Stern Review was commissioned by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to assess the economic impact of climate change. The scope of the report far exceeds the boundaries of unilateral procurement decisions, but its key conclusions - that climate change presents very serious global risks, and it is necessary for economic models to account for its economic, environmental and human impact - have important implications for the future public spending agenda in the UK and beyond. This link is to a web page with the report, summaries and annexes available in a variety of formats.
UK
UK Government Sustainable Procurement Action Plan (PDF)
HM Government, 2007
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
In 2005 the UK Government stated its goal to be amongst the leading EU member states on sustainable procurement by 2009. This report sets out how they intend to meet this target. It incorporates the Government answer to the Sustainable Procurement Task Force, taking an explicitly environment-centric approach with socio-economic issues not afforded top priority status.
UK
Procuring the future: The Sustainable Procurement Task Force National Action Plan (PDF) Sustainable Procurement Task Force, 2006 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) In 2005 the UK Government stated its goal to be amongst the leading EU member states on sustainable procurement by 2009. The SPTF, jointly funded by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and HM Treasury, was convened to make recommendations for fulfilling this ambition. This is their foundation report. PB11710
The GLA Group Sustainable Procurement Policy (PDF) Greater London Authority (GLA), 2006 The first sustainable procurement policy published by a public sector body in the UK. It details the city of London's plans to ally public procurement with social inclusion, equality and environmental objectives in promoting ethical sourcing practices, workforce welfare and greater sustainability. The policy establishes a distinct competitive advantage for public service contract bidders demonstrating a commitment to these objectives. UK
Working Group 2 - Data and Priorities (PDF)
Sustainable Procurement Task Force (SPTF), 2006
A report on the extent of - and limitations to - evidence and measurement in this area of research and policy formulation. Written by a SPTF working group, it places its findings in the context of both environmental and socio-economic consequences.
Working Group 4 - Accountability (PDF)
Sustainable Procurement Task Force (SPTF), 2006
A report on sustainable procurement within current UK public spending guidelines. Written by a SPTF working group, it reviews the public spending framework to (a) see if it supports or inhibits sustainable procurement and (b) identify any relevant proposals to improve sustainable outcomes. The group takes an economics-centred approach to their analysis and make a set of clear recommendations for Government action.
Sustainable Food and the NHS (PDF) Jochelson, K; Norwood, S; Hussain, S and Heer, B, 2005 King's Fund In 2004 the Better Hospital Food Programme (BHFP) commissioned the King's Fund to identify opportunities for managing food procurement sustainably and promoting healthy eating in acute hospitals. This is their report, which includes a framework to help organisations to assess their procurement and catering practices, and recommends policies, menu designs and contract specifications to realise the environmental, economic and social benefits of sustainable public procurement. ISBN 1 85717 541 7 UK
Public Spending for Public Benefit (PDF)
Sacks, Justin, 2005
New Economics Foundation (nef)
This report examines public procurement in the UK with a view to analysing how this spending can achieve maximal social efficiency. Its key recommendations are to re-define efficiency and costing, remove jargon, and actively promote collaboration between public bodies and suppliers to improve the local economic and social impacts of public spending.