Green Public Procurement: From Recommendation to Obligation

Abstract

Green public procurement (GPP) constitutes one of the most effective methods to ensure practical implementation of the precautionary principle envisaged in Article 174 of the EC Treaty. If this purchasing policy were implemented by requiring public entities within the EU to supply green electricity, we would reduce the production of the equivalent of 60 million tons of CO₂ and, if all European public entities were to choose environmentally efficient toilets and taps in their buildings, a reduction in water consumption of around 200 million tons would result.

Keywords:

• public procurement
• protection of the environment
• green public policy
• European Union environmental regulation