Environmental
Incorporating environmental factors into spending and investment decisions - 'green procurement' - aims to reduce damage to the environment or to introduce environmental benefits. This section comprehensively covers the 'greening' process, from guidelines on how to design and implement environmental procurement through to empirically measuring outcomes of these decisions.
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Building for the Future: Sustainable Construction and Refurbishment on the Government Estate, HC 174 (PDF) Public Accounts Committee, 2008 The Stationery Office This report updates the Government's progress in meeting its own estate-wide sustainability standards for the sustainable construction and refurbishment of its buildings. It finds that the Government is failing to meet its obligations, and reports a series of sources for this underachievement as well as identifying action to improve performance in future. UK
Building for the Future: Sustainable Construction and Refurbishment on the Government Estate (PDF) National Audit Office (NAO), 2007 This report assesses whether Government buildings are meeting their targets for sustainability and environmental impact. It finds that while many departments have begun to consider sustainability concerns, too few are carrying out the required assessments to track progress. Moreover, where assessments are carried out many projects have failed to reach their targets. The report identifies a series of barriers to achieving desired targets and makes recommendations to improve future performance. ISBN: 9780102944662 UK
TUC's Submission to the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review (PDF) Trades Union Congress, 2007 This is the TUC's response to the Government's comprehensive spending review. It addresses some of the key areas for investment and reform that the Government outlines in the review, including the Government's proposals for globalisation, the environment and social justice. The TUC also provides it view on public services, stating a need for reform and recommending other areas within public services that the government has not yet addressed. 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
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
Smarter Food Procurement in the Public Sector (PDF)
House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, 2007
The Stationery Office
This report examines the organisations responsible for the three largest areas of public food procurement - Department for Education and Skills, the Ministry of Defence and the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency. It argues that improving certain practices such as pricing negotiations and levels of frontline expertise can allow public bodies to improve significantly the efficiency of their food procurement while also sourcing ethically and enhancing sustainability.
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
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
Sustainable Procurement - The Way Forward (PDF) Environmental Audit Committee, 2006 The Stationery Office This EAC report examines how the Government is bringing the principles of sustainable development to bear upon its procurement policy and advice. HC740 UK
Sustainable Procurement in Central Government (PDF) National Audit Office (NAO), 2006 This NAO review summarises progress towards sustainable procurement in central government and describes the problems faced by departmental procurement officials in making further progress as the UK looks to meet its targets in this area. UK
Working Group 1 - International Benchmarking by SPTF (PDF)
Sustainable Procurement Task Force (SPTF), 2006
A report on the UK's progress in establishing itself as a global leader in the field. Written by a SPTF working group, it establishes the UK's sustainable procurement position relative to other high-performing nations and outlines future strategies for both sustainable development itself and international benchmarking.
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 3 - Engaging With Suppliers (PDF) Sustainable Procurement Task Force (SPTF), 2006 A report on the comparative sustainable procurement credentials of public and private suppliers as well as cross-sector partnerships. Written by a SPTF working group, it makes definitive conclusions (on costs and benefits) from current public procurement practice and offers recommendations for making improvements in identified areas. UK
Sustainable Public Procurement (PDF) Environmental Audit Committee (EAC), 2005 The Stationery Office The EAC launched this inquiry with the aim of examining how sustainable public procurement policy is being implemented and to ascertain if there is a clear strategy for further developing government practice in this area. They also wanted to determine the clarity of EU and UK guidance on legislation relating to sustainable procurement and to establish the potential for EU legislation to limit sustainability considerations within procurement. HC266 UK
Green Public Procurement in Europe: Status Overview (PDF) Bouwer, M; De Jong, K; Jonk, M; Berman, T; Bersani, R; Lusser, H; Parikka, K and Szuppinger, P., 2005 European Commission Directorate General for the Environment (EC DG-ENV) A working paper from the DG-ENV assessing the state of play for green public procurement (GPP) in the European Union (EU). It examines current levels of GPP across the EU, highlighting those countries that are using more green criteria in their procurement practice as well as identifying several barriers to green public procurement. Belgium
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
Buying Green! A Handbook On Green Public Procurement (PDF) European Commission Directorate General for the Environment (EC DG-ENV), 2004 A working paper from the DG-ENV explaining in concrete and non legal terms - making frequent use of best practice examples - how public purchasers can integrate environmental considerations into public procurement procedures. In particular, it clarifies the legal possibilities created by the new public procurement directives which allow for environmental considerations in technical specifications, selection and award criteria and contract performance clauses. Belgium
Green Public Private Partnerships (PDF) Office of Government Commerce (OGC), 2002 A guidance note on how to include environmental considerations within PFI and PPP projects. Published between four government departments: Office of Government Commerce, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Department for Transport and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. UK