Sustainability Takes Centre Stage in Public Procurement
Public procurement is becoming a powerful force in the fight against climate change. By choosing climate-friendly products and services, governments are leading the way in pushing us toward a greener, more sustainable future. This shift, known as sustainable public procurement, shows just how much power public entities have to make a real difference, driving innovation and encouraging industries to go green.
The push for sustainability is driven by global commitments like the Paris Agreement, national climate goals, and a growing demand from the public for more responsible, forward-thinking governance.
The integration of climate requirements into public procurement practices has gained significant momentum. Public organisations are now making climate-conscious decisions—choosing energy-efficient products, low-carbon technologies, and working with suppliers that care about the environment. These actions are creating ripples across industries, speeding up the adoption of cleaner technologies and helping build a more sustainable world.
Of course, it’s not always easy. Balancing the initial costs with the long-term savings can be tricky, and figuring out which products are truly the most eco-friendly isn’t always simple. But despite these challenges, many countries are showing it can be done. They’ve created green public procurement systems that are making a real impact, proving that governments can align their buying power with their environmental goals.
As more and more policy makers wake up to the fact that smart procurement can boost economic growth while tackling the climate crisis, we can expect to see climate considerations in public procurement grow even stronger. It’s clear that public procurement isn’t just about buying things anymore—it’s about shaping a greener, better world for everyone.
A recent analysis by the Norwegian Agency for Public and Financial Management (DFØ) highlights how these climate and environmental factors are shaping public procurement from 2023 to 2024, in Norway. It’s a deep dive into how governments are successfully adopting sustainable practices and overcoming the hurdles along the way.
Growing Focus on Green Procurement in Norway
Norway is experiencing a clear shift towards prioritising climate and environmental factors in public procurement. A recent analysis by DFØ (Norwegian Agency for Public and Financial Management) reveals that public entities are increasingly incorporating sustainability into their purchasing decisions, with a notable rise in environmentally weighted procurements from 2023 to 2024.
In 2024, 75% of Norwegian procurements included an environmental weighting of 30%, a significant increase from 2023, when only 50% had an environmental focus or specific requirements. This trend highlights the growing commitment to sustainability across the public sector.
Between 2023 and 2024, the number of environmental requirements tied to public purchases surged. During the second quarter of each year, over 5,600 specific requirements and 370 sustainability criteria were analysed, addressing issues like greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, and eco-friendly certifications. Examples of these requirements include the use of low- or zero-emission vehicles and construction equipment, as well as comprehensive environmental management practices.
Procurement by Main Spend Areas
The study also shed light on how environmental considerations vary by procurement main spend areas: goods, services, and works.Product-based acquisitions, particularly in sectors with significant environmental impact, such as construction and transportation, are more likely to include climate-related criteria. In contrast, service-based procurements, like consulting, typically have fewer environmental considerations, reflecting their lower overall environmental impact.
The sharp rise in the use of environmental weighting and sustainability criteria signals a strong and growing commitment to green procurement in Norway. As public procurement continues to evolve, it is crucial to sustain this momentum and look for new opportunities to further integrate climate considerations into the process, ensuring that Norway remains a leader in sustainable public practices.
Lead the Way to a Sustainable Future with Mercell
In today's world, sustainable procurement isn’t just a box to tick—it’s an incredible opportunity to lead by example and make a lasting, positive impact. With the Mercell Tendering platform, you can integrate sustainability into every phase of your procurement process and confidently drive change.
Procurement Planning:
Sustainability starts with strong planning, and Mercell gives you the tools to align your procurement goals with your green objectives from the very beginning. Make sure your plans, whether for a single purchase or an entire category, reflect your organisation’s commitment to the environment. Mercell ensures that all internal needs are reported and managed with sustainability front and centre.
Sourcing & Tendering:
Mercell makes it easy to embed sustainability right into your sourcing and tendering process. Prompt suppliers to include key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in their proposals, ensuring that every tender considers the planet. With access to our extensive library of default sustainability criteria, buyers can consistently uphold high standards across the board. You’re not just sourcing products—you’re sourcing sustainable solutions.
Contract Lifecycle Management:
Once the contracts are in place, Mercell helps you stay on track with comprehensive contract lifecycle management tools. You can monitor compliance with sustainability obligations, track performance against your green targets, and make sure you’re meeting both environmental and social commitments. With key performance indicators that measure real impact—like the reduction of emissions or waste—you’ll see the concrete results of your sustainability efforts.
Supplier Relationship Management:
At the heart of sustainable procurement are the relationships you build with your suppliers. Mercell’s advanced supplier management tools allow you to set clear sustainability goals, track supplier performance, and ensure transparency at every step. By evaluating suppliers not just on price but also on their environmental impact, you’ll create relationships that align with your values. Key performance indicators (KPIs) like reductions in greenhouse gas emissions or waste recycling will show exactly how your suppliers are contributing to your sustainability efforts.
Effortless Reporting and Transparency:
Mercell’s platform ensures you can easily document and report on your suppliers' sustainability efforts. Keep supplier certifications and compliance documents up-to-date, streamline pre-qualification processes, and rank suppliers based on sustainability criteria. This transparency not only proves your commitment to sustainability but also offers valuable insights to refine your procurement strategies even further.
With Mercell by your side, sustainable procurement isn’t just a goal—it’s a reality. From planning to partnerships, every step you take with Mercell leads toward a greener future. You’re not only fulfilling obligations—you’re driving meaningful, lasting change.