Tackling Climate Change through Sustainable Procurement

How can public authorities use their market power to make more effective use of public money? How does this help to tackle climate change? Representatives from more than 15 nations discussed these questions together at the international Seminar held in Zürich (22-23 October 2009), organised by the City of Zürich and ICLEI's European Secretariat.

The Seminar brought together different experts and stakeholders working in the area of sustainable procurement to exchange on opportunities between public authority procurers and suppliers. The event built on the conclusions of EcoProcura 2009, held in Reykjavik (March 2009). The Procura⁺ Seminar focused on the following key conclusions from the conference in Reykjavik, and how these can be taken further: 

• Harmonisation of sustainability criteria, including energy efficiency standards
• Embedding life-cycle costing and assessing CO₂ emissions in procurement processes
• Learning about the market availability of highly energy efficient products
• Promoting low-emission new buildings and renovation

In addition to the Seminar, the annual meeting of the Procura⁺ Campaign participants was held on the second day Seminar (23 October). The meeting served to update participants on the latest Campaign news, and discuss future initiatives.

Press releases from 22 October 2009:

Download press release published by ICLEI (in English) [pdf-file]

Download press release published by the City of Zürich (in German) [pdf-file]

Presentations from the event and final programme

Photos from the Seminar