Innovative Policy Approaches and Collaborations to Support Sustainable Procurement

Abstract

Sustainable procurement has the potential to drive significant economic activity towards addressing critical global issues such as resource shortages, pollution, climate change, and social inequities. Governments and businesses recognise the profound impacts of procurement on human health, social justice, and environmental integrity. Sustainable procurement practices, including environmental management systems, waste minimisation programs, and energy audits, have achieved high acceptance among manufacturing and service companies, enhancing productivity and product quality. Life cycle impacts from environmentally preferable purchasing can be substantial, with the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Local governments in the United States and Canada are leveraging their purchasing power to address social issues by providing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, increasing access to healthy food for low-income families, fostering diversity in contracting, and supporting minority and women-owned businesses. The economic benefits of sustainable procurement are evident, with a definite increase in valuable discussions, articles, and information concerning cleaner production over the last 25 years.

As the Regulated Green Community continues influencing businesses to provide more environmentally friendly products and services, the massive marketplace has a unique role in driving sustainable production and consumption practices worldwide.