Publications for Reference

>There has been a huge expansion in the amount of advice and legislation on environmental and sustainable development issues in the last few years. When it comes to translating the theoretical advice into practical action within an organisation problems can arise. Sometimes knowing where to begin can be a problem. Some knowledge of the developments in sustainable procurement to date can help potential participants find their feet and start the journey along what is sure to be a long journey. The publications and projects listed below are given as a reference point to begin looking at where the subject is placed.
The UK Government Sustainable Development Strategy Securing The Future - published March 2005
"Our Strategy for sustainable development aims to enable all people throughout the world to satisfy their basic needs and enjoy a better quality of life without compromising the quality of life of future generations" Sustainable procurement is given a high priority as a means of securing a more sustainable future. The strategy is wide reaching and lays out plans for tackling many sustainability issues including climate change and energy, moving towards sustainable patterns of consumption and production and initiatives to tackle poverty and bring about a fairer world.
website www.defra.gov.uk/environment/sustainable
Sustainable Procurement in Central Government Sustainable Procurement advice from the National Audit Office
"The Sustainable Procurement Group identified certain product areas- ranging from detergents to lighting systems- in which purchasing to higher environmental standards would deliver immediate environmental benefits. These were called 'Quick Wins'. In October 2003 Ministers across Whitehall signed up to the immediate implementation of the Quick Wins..." This report gives a description of the progress which has been made within central government towards the implementation of sustainable procurement. Government departments and their executive agencies spend around £15 billion each year on the procurement of goods and services and this report raises some of the problems faced and future obstacles to sustainable procurement being successful.
website www.nao.org.uk/publications/nao_report/05-06/sustainable_procurement.pdf
Sustainable procurement -Making It Happen A guide on sustainable procurement produced by the Waste and Resources Action Programme(WRAP)
WRAP was established in 2001 as a company limited by guarantee by defra and other public bodies. Although it's initial focus was on sustainable waste management, procurement is now being seen as a tool to be used to promote sustainability.
website http://www.wrap.org.uk/document.rm?id=29
Realising Aspirations: Or Using Value for Money to Make the Public ector More Sustainable Sustainable Procurement Report from Accounting for Sustainability Group led by Prince Charles
website www.princeofwales.gov.uk/speeches/asg.html
Environmental Purchasing in Practice The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply report on Environmental purchasing.
A guide on Environmental Purchasing in Practice produced by IEMA and CIPS with the support of the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency.
website http://www.cips.org/BigPage.asp?PageID=647&CatID=312
Procurement Essentials Report from the Improvement Development Agency aimed at local government officers.
Improvement Development Agency report focuses on practical advice in an easy to refer to publication. This report is designed as a quick reference guide for local government officers and draws on legislation as it applies in England and Wales
website www.idea-knowledge.gov.uk/idk/aio/69799
National Strategy for Local Government Procurement. Sets out Local Government Procurement Strategy 2003-2006.
Local authorities spend over £40 billion a year on our behalf. This report emphasises the need for local authorities to deliver Best Value. The importance of including a diverse range of suppliers, including small businesses and ethnic minority enterprises is also stressed.
website http://www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1136722
European Research Project on Green Purchasing RELIEF - The largest "green" purchasing project at the time in Europe.
Full title of the programme is " Environmental Relief Potential of Urban Action on Avoidance and Detoxification of Waste Streams Through Green Public Procurement". The project started in Jan 2001 and concluded in Sept 2003.One of the main outcomes of the RELIEF project was the Procura+ sustainable procurement programme.
website www.iclei-europe.org/?relief
The Canny Buyer Guidelines Guidelines on what sustainable procurement is about and how it can be implemented
The Canny Buyer website contains guidelines on sustainable procurement and a pocket guide which can be downloaded from the website. The pocket guide attempts to explain how sustainable procurement can be introduced to the everyday running of a company.
website www.cannybuyer.com
Procura+ Campaign ICLEI campaign to encourage the use of sustainable procurement in public authorities throughout Europe.
"Focusing on a few criteria makes the process of sustainable procurement easier to apply in practice. Additionally suppliers gain from having to comply to only one set of criteria throughout Europe providing the incentive to increase production and reduce prices." Procura+ campaign seeks to encourage the introduction of sustainable procurement in public authorities across Europe. When joining the campaign the participating authority must state what percentage of a certain product category it will 'buy green'by a target date. For example 25% green electricity by 2008.Procura currently concentrates on the following product areas: electricity from renewable resources, energy efficient computers, organic food, cleaning services, transport services with low bus emissions, buildings with high heating and cooling efficiency.
website www.iclei-europe.org/index.php?id=procuraplus