The Opportunity
With total expenditures of approximately $100 billion, the Canadian public sector can transform the private sector into furthering sustainable development practices.
Public procurement can be used as the catalyst to make this happen.
Public procurement can be used to effect real long-term value for money through:
- Better stewardship of taxpayer's money
- Environmental and social benefits
- Public sector support for innovation and encouragement for environment-friendly technologies
What is Sustainable Procurement?
"Sustainable Procurement is a process whereby organizations meet their needs for goods, services, works and utilities in a way that achieves value for money on a whole life basis in terms of generating benefits not only to the organization, but also to society and the economy, while minimizing damage to the environment." Procuring the Future (Sustainable Procurement Task Force, UK, June 2006).
Sustainable Procurement in Canada
The Procurement Exchange is committed to furthering sustainable procurement in Canada.
We want to hear from you. If you have a sustainable procurement program, or are considering implementing one, please contact us, we're eager to learn about your initiative.
Sustainable Procurement Resources
Through PWGSC, the Canadian Government provides an excellent resource for other governments contemplating the development of sustainable procurement policies.
Other valuable resources provided by the ICLEI and I&DEA (UK) are provided in the left menu.
REFERENCES
Procura+ Campaign
A guide to cost-effective sustainable procurement.
The Sustainable Procurement Task for in the UK
A cross-sector initiative to further sustainable practices.