Benefits and objectives of sustainable procurement
The Queensland Government is estimated to have spent approximately $12 billion on goods, services and construction in 2007/2008. The size of this spend provides significant potential to demonstrate our commitment to sustainability and to protecting our lifestyle and environment.
By integrating environmental and social considerations into procurement decisions, valuable contribution can be made to improve environmental and social outcomes. Integrating sustainable practices and principles into procurement is seen as integral in achieving value for money, which is a foundation concept of the State Procurement Policy.
By considering sustainability issues, along with other government priorities, other non-cost and cost factors on a whole-of-life basis, there is opportunity to achieve improved economic, social and environmental procurement outcomes.
Some specific benefits of sustainable procurement include:
- Reduced adverse environmental impacts arising from government procurement.
This includes, amongst others:
- Reduced water and energy use
- Reduced waste and landfill
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
- Decreased air, land and water pollution
- Reduced consumption of natural and processed resources
- Reduced toxic materials entering the environment
- Increased health and safety of the community
- More efficient use of public resources.
- Improved value for money in procurement decisions, as it offers a more comprehensive consideration of the costs and outcomes associated with procurement decisions
- Improved environmental risk management
- Stimulus to local and global markets to innovate and produce more sustainable products and services for public and private organisational purchasers and Australian consumers.
- Expands the market for more sustainable products and services with potential for local businesses, which should lead to an increase in the availability of more sustainable products and services
- Improves the level of information available to buyers about the sustainability performance of products and services thus facilitating procurement choices
- Demonstrates that the Queensland Government is committed to achieving sustainable development objectives.
- Provides government leadership to the community in demonstrating social and environmental responsibility
- Reduces the potential negative publicity associated with the use of products, services and suppliers with poor environmental and social responsibility records
- Improves working conditions for Queensland Government employees
- Less exposure to toxic materials and emissions, through use of more benign products and services.
- More comfortable, energy efficient working environments.
Last updated May 2009
