SMART SPP project offers guidance on sustainable procurement

The European project endet in August, results available now

Faced with the challenge of shrinking budgets and strict CO₂ reduction targets, public bodies across Europe are recognising the need to dramatically change their purchasing practices. ICLEI coordinated the European SMART SPP project focusing on innovation through sustainable procurement, which emphasises the value of engaging and communicating with potential suppliers in order to achieve optimal results.

The project, which came to an end on 31 August 2011, succeeded in developing new material offering guidance to public authorities on the various approaches available to make the most of their spending power, thereby obtaining the best result the market has to offer. The material includes a tool to calculate life-cycle costs and CO₂ emissions of products and a collection of case studies on city councils that show how to use procurement effectively.

ICLEI member Kolding (Denmark) is an example of a municipality putting sustainability into action through its procurement. Earlier this year, the council led a joint multi-city purchase of highly innovative and energy efficient office lighting, generating an impressive € 2.5 million in savings for the city. Kolding’s engagement with the market before going out to tender made the council more attractive as a collaboration partner and was instrumental in securing the deal.

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