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Plan
Establish an enabling environment 
Prioritize
Monitoring & evaluation
Build support and capabilities
Create an Action Plan 
Implement
Assess needs
Choose a procurement method
Engage with the market
Set sustainability criteria
Prepare contract obligations
Monitor implementation
Open data & measuring progress
Options for data use 
SPP uptake
Carbon reduction
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Downloadable tools
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Guide to ecolabels 
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In this section, we include information on existing Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) guidance and practice references. Available resources have been classified according to whether they provide guidance, or references, on overall SPP implementation, or focus on specific SPP practices, such as prioritizing procurement categories, or establishing an enabling framework.
Title | Attachment | Type of guidance | Geographic area | Organization | Year | User | Sectors | Language | SPP focus | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EU Buying Green! - A Handbook on Green Public Procurement | https://ec.europa.eu/environment/gpp/pdf/Buying-Green-Handbook-3rd-Edition.pdf | Overall Implementation | Europe | European Commission | 2016 | Procurement TeamsNational AuthoritiesOversight Bodies | ConstructionFood and Catering ServicesBuildings | English | Environmental | 80 |
The Procura + Manual: A Guide to Implementing Sustainable Procurement | https://procuraplus.org/manual/ | Overall Implementation | Europe | ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability) | 2016 | Procurement Teams | Food and Catering ServicesConstructionCleaning Products and Services | English | EnvironmentalEconomicSocial | 108 |
Green Public Procurement: An overview of green reforms in country procurement systems | https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/36508/Green-Public-Procurement-An-Overview-of-Green-Reforms-in-Country-Procurement-Systems.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y | Overall Implementation | EuropeLatin America and the CaribbeanAsiaAfricaNorth America | World Bank Group | 2021 | National AuthoritiesOversight Bodies | English | Environmental | 100 | |
Green Tenders: Action Plan on Green Public Procurement | https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/74075-green-tenders-an-action-plan-on-green-public-procurement/ | SPP Action Plan | IrelandEurope | Government of Ireland | 2021 | National Authorities | ConstructionEnergyTransportFood and Catering ServicesCleaning Products and Services | English | Environmental | 74 |
Directiva de Contratación Pública N°20. Enfoque de género en materia de compras públicas | https://goreatacama.gob.cl/wp-content/uploads/Directiva20_comprasconenfoquedegenero.pdf | Enabling Framework | ChileLatin America and the Caribbean | ChileCompra (Government of Chile) | 2015 | Oversight BodiesNational Authorities | Spanish | SocialEnvironmental | 9 | |
Handbook for the Inter-American Network of Government Procurement (INGP): Implementing Sustainable Public Procurement in Latin America and the Caribbean | https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/iisd-handbook-ingp-en.pdf | Overall Implementation | Latin America and the Caribbean | IISD (International Institute on Sustainable Development) | 2015 | Oversight BodiesProcurement TeamsNational Authorities | ConstructionVehiclesIndoor LightingCleaning Products and ServicesApparelPaperAir ConditioningFurnitureOutdoor Lighting | English | EconomicEnvironmentalSocial | 74 |
City of Cape Town Green Procurement Action Plan | https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/news-and-events/news/city-cape-town-finalises-green-procurement-action-plan | SPP Action Plan | South AfricaAfrica | City of Cape Town | 2021 | National Authorities | English | Environmental | 13 | |
Going Green: Best Practices for Sustainable Procurement | https://www.oecd.org/gov/ethics/Going_Green_Best_Practices_for_Sustainable_Procurement.pdf | Overall Implementation | EuropeAsia | OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) | 2015 | Oversight BodiesNational Authorities | English | Environmental | 75 | |
Sustainable Public Procurement: How to “Wake the Sleeping Giant”! Introducing the United Nations Environment Programme’s Approach. | https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/37045/SPPWSG.pdf | Overall Implementation | EuropeLatin America and the CaribbeanAsiaAfricaNorth America | United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) | 2021 | Oversight BodiesNational AuthoritiesProcurement Teams | English | EnvironmentalEconomicSocial | 101 | |
Buying Social - a guide to taking account of social considerations in public procurement (2nd edition) | https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/45767 | Overall Implementation | Europe | European Commission | 2021 | National AuthoritiesProcurement Teams | EnglishSpanishFrenchPortuguese | Social | 111 | |
Régimen Regulatorio para el Desarrollo y Competitividad de las Micro, Pequeñas y Medianas Empresas (MIPYMES) | https://www.notion.so/4e580ac7457847ae861a43ebad4e3a88?v=880e1e214aa94243925c9fb0bbc8cde8&p=701c735d66564156b2133383d0d9ec5f | Enabling Framework | Latin America and the CaribbeanDominican Republic | Government of the Dominican Republic | 2008 | National Authorities | Spanish | SocialEconomic | 21 | |
Environmentally Responsible Procurement - A Reference Guide for Better Practices | https://www.adb.org/documents/environmentally-responsible-procurement-reference-guide-better-practices | Overall Implementation | Asia | Asian Development Bank (ADB) | 2007 | Oversight Bodies | English | Environmental | 86 | |
Socially Responsible Workwear: A guide for Public Purchasers | https://stad.gent/sites/default/files/article/documents/ToolboxSocResWorkwear_1406.pdf | Implementing SPP in Specific Sectors | EuropeBelgium | City of Ghent | 2018 | Procurement Teams | Apparel | English | Social | 44 |
Dutch Public Procurement Expertise Centre | https://www.pianoo.nl/en/public-procurement-in-the-netherlands/sustainable-public-procurement-spp | Overall ImplementationSetting Sustainability Criteria | EuropeThe Netherlands | Government of The Netherlands | 2021 | Procurement TeamsNational Authorities | ICTEnergyConstructionFurnitureTransportBuildings | EnglishDutch | EnvironmentalEconomicSocial | |
EU GPP Criteria | https://ec.europa.eu/environment/gpp/eu_gpp_criteria_en.htm | Setting Sustainability Criteria | Europe | European Commission | 2022 | Procurement TeamsNational Authorities | Cleaning Products and ServicesICTFood and Catering ServicesFurnitureConstructionTransportApparelElectricity | English | Environmental | |
Comparative Analysis of Green Public Procurement and Ecolabelling Programmes in China, Japan, Thailand, and the Republic of Korea: Lessons Learned and Common Success Factors | https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/sites/default/files/from-crm/comparative_analysis_gpp_180917_web.pdf | Ecolabels | AsiaChinaJapanThailandRepublic of KoreaEuropeAfricaNorth AmericaLatin America and the Caribbean | United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) | 2017 | Oversight BodiesNational Authorities | English | Environmental | 56 | |
Terms of Reference for the SPP Policy and Action Plan Expert (UNEP) | https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/35410/TRSPP.pdf | SPP Action Plan | EuropeAsiaAfricaNorth AmericaLatin America and the Caribbean | United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) | Oversight BodiesNational Authorities | English | EnvironmentalEconomicSocial | 5 | ||
Instructions for the Prioritisation Exercise (UNEP) | https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/35412/IPE.pdf | Prioritizing Procurement Categories | EuropeAsiaAfricaNorth AmericaLatin America and the Caribbean | United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) | Oversight BodiesNational Authorities | English | EnvironmentalEconomicSocial | 11 | ||
Terms of Reference for the Legal Review Expert (UNEP) | https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/35414/LRE.pdf | Enabling Framework | EuropeLatin America and the CaribbeanAsiaAfricaNorth America | United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) | Oversight BodiesNational Authorities | English | EnvironmentalEconomicSocial | 4 | ||
A guide to environmental labels - for procurement practitioners of the United Nations System | https://www.ungm.org/Areas/Public/Downloads/Env_Labels_Guide.pdf | Ecolabels | EuropeLatin America and the CaribbeanAsiaAfricaNorth America | UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services) | 2009 | Procurement Teams | English | Environmental | 38 | |
Green Procurement and Contracting Programme of the Basque Country 2030 | https://www.ihobe.eus/news/75-of-procurement-by-basque-authorities-to-be-sustainable-within-ten-years | SPP Action Plan | EuropeBasque Country | Basque Government | 2022 | National Authorities | EnglishSpanish | Environmental | 62 | |
Plan de Acción nacional para la implementación de Compras Públicas Sostenibles de Ecuador | https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/sites/default/files/ecuador_action_plan.pdf | SPP Action Plan | EcuadorLatin America and the Caribbean | Servicio Nacional de Contratación Pública | 2016 | National Authorities | Spanish | EnvironmentalEconomicSocial | 64 | |
Plan de Acción Nacional de
Compras Públicas Sustentables | https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/sites/default/files/from-crm/argentina_action_plan.pdf | SPP Action Plan | Latin America and the CaribbeanArgentina | Government of Argentina | 2017 | National Authorities | English | EnvironmentalEconomicSocial | 88 | |
GPP Training Toolkit | https://ec.europa.eu/environment/gpp/toolkit_en.htm#:~:text=The%20GPP%20Training%20Toolkit%20is,trainer%20notes)%20and%20accompanying%20guidance. | Needs AssessmentOverall ImplementationEnabling FrameworkEngaging with the Supplier MarketImplementing SPP in Specific Sectors | Europe | European Commission | 2019 | National AuthoritiesProcurement Teams | ICTFurniturePaperCleaning Products and ServicesBuildingsApparelTransport | EnglishSpanishFrenchPortuguese | Environmental | |
Best Practice Report - Market Engagement | https://sppregions.eu/fileadmin/user_upload/Resources/Market_Engagement_Best_Practice_Report.pdf | Engaging with the Supplier Market | Europe | ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability) | 2018 | Procurement TeamsNational Authorities | English | EnvironmentalEconomicSocial | 24 | |
Sustainability Clauses in Commercial Contracts: The Key to Corporate Responsibility | https://www.eticanews.it/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ecovadis_contrat_clauses_RSE__20.06.2018_eng_v5-1.pdf | Translating Sustainability into Contract Obligations | EuropeLatin America and the CaribbeanAsiaAfricaNorth America | Ecovadis | 2018 | Procurement TeamsNational AuthoritiesOversight Bodies | English | EnvironmentalEconomicSocial | 68 | |
Rwanda Green Building Minimum Compliance System | https://gggi.org/site/assets/uploads/2019/07/Annex-3-Rwanda-Green-Building-Minimum-Compliance-System-REVISED.pdf | Implementing SPP in Specific Sectors | RwandaAfrica | Republic of Rwanda | 2019 | National Authorities | BuildingsConstruction | English | Environmental | 104 |
Sustainable Buildings and Construction in Africa | https://www.cscp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/28_Tessema_Taipale_Bethge__2009__Sustainable_Building_and_Construction_in_Africa_en.pdf | Implementing SPP in Specific Sectors | AfricaSouth Africa | Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) | 2016 | National AuthoritiesProcurement Teams | Construction | English | Environmental | 72 |
Bill of Quantities (BOQ) Template - European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) | https://www.ebrd.com/downloads/procurement/cpu/PUR1301_13_New_Cairo_tender/billofquantitiestemplate.xls | Implementing SPP in Specific Sectors | EuropeAsiaAfricaNorth AmericaLatin America and the Caribbean | European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) | Procurement TeamsOversight Bodies | Construction | English | Environmental | ||
Site Waste Management Plan Data Form | https://www.netregs.org.uk/media/1128/swmp_waste_data_form.pdf | Implementing SPP in Specific Sectors | EuropeAsiaAfricaNorth AmericaLatin America and the Caribbean | Netregs | Procurement Teams | Construction | English | Environmental | ||
User Guide for Procurement of Plant Design, Supply, and Installation | https://www.adb.org/documents/procurement-plant-guide | Implementing SPP in Specific Sectors | AsiaEuropeAfricaNorth AmericaLatin America and the Caribbean | Asian Development Bank (ADB) | 2021 | Oversight BodiesProcurement Teams | ConstructionBuildings | English | Environmental | |
Procurement of Works: Two-Stage Open Tendering Procedure | https://www.ebrd.com/documents/procurement/dpdf-std-two-stage-works-2019.pdf?blobnocache=true | Selecting the Right Procurement Approach | EuropeAsiaAfricaNorth AmericaLatin America and the Caribbean | European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) | 2019 | Oversight BodiesProcurement Teams | ConstructionBuildings | English | EnvironmentalEconomicSocial | |
Socially Responsible Public Procurement of ICT Equipment in Sweden | https://electronicswatch.org/make-ict-fair-case-study-socially-responsible-public-procurement-of-ict-equipment-in-sweden-december-2020_2584025.pdf | Implementing SPP in Specific SectorsSetting Sustainability Criteria | Europe | ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability) | 2020 | National AuthoritiesProcurement Teams | ICT | English | Social | 10 |
Purchasing the future you want: A sustainable IT purchasing guide | https://h20195.www2.hp.com/v2/getpdf.aspx/c07023857.pdf | Implementing SPP in Specific SectorsSetting Sustainability Criteria | EuropeAsiaAfricaLatin America and the CaribbeanNorth America | HP Development Company | 2020 | National AuthoritiesProcurement Teams | ICT | English | EnvironmentalSocial | 30 |
Green Flags: How open data can throw light on sustainable procurement | https://www.open-contracting.org/resources/green-flags-how-open-data-can-throw-light-on-sustainable-procurement/ | Monitoring Implementation | EuropeLatin America and the CaribbeanAsiaAfricaNorth America | Open Contracting Partnership (OCP) | 2021 | Oversight BodiesNational Authorities | English | Environmental | 27 | |
Results-Driven Contracting | https://govlab.hks.harvard.edu/results-driven-contracting | Selecting the Right Procurement Approach | EuropeLatin America and the CaribbeanAsiaAfrica | Harvard Kennedy School | Procurement Teams | English | EconomicSocialEnvironmental | |||
Serving the Citizens - Not the Bureaucracy: A Strategic Vision for City Procurement | https://www.thechicagocouncil.org/sites/default/files/2021-06/CCGA-City%20procurement_vFb%5B94%5D.pdf | Overall Implementation | EuropeLatin America and the CaribbeanAsiaAfrica | The Chicago Council on Global Affairs | 2021 | National AuthoritiesProcurement Teams | English | Social | 64 |