China, ICLEI, the Netherlands and UNEP join hands to lead the globe towards sustainable procurement
The UN-led initiative “One Planet Network” has a new leadership for its Sustainable Procurement Programme. The initiative is mandated by the UN member states and supports the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 - ensuring Sustainable Consumption and Production.
Four organisations are going to jointly manage the Programme to accelerate the uptake of sustainable procurement (SPP) – a key pillar in achieving SDG 12.
The selected organisations are:
- ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability
- Environment Development Centre of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China (EDC)
- The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (Rijkswaterstaat, RWS) of the Netherlands
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
The new leadership brings together a strong combination of expertise on SPP alongside vast experience in addressing sustainable public procurement at different governance levels and across the globe.
“Public procurement can be used to address environmental issues and encourage social cohesion. It can create new jobs, new markets and opportunities for business. ICLEI has been advocating for and supporting implementation of sustainable public procurement globally for over 23 years. Together with ambitious organisations like the EDC, RWS, and the UNEP we will be able to support the uptake and implementation of sustainable public procurement at the local, national, regional and worldwide level to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns and assist in the delivery of Sustainable Development Goal 12.”
– Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh, Mayor of Malmö, ICLEI Global Executive Committee member on the Sustainable Local Economy and Procurement portfolio.
With the new leadership the Sustainable Procurement Programme will empower public authorities at all levels to make use of their public funds to pave the path towards SDG 12.
“For a healthy future we have to stop wasting our finite resources and focus on circularity. We have to reuse materials and turn them into new products. Sustainable public procurement is our way of leading by example and helping to create a sustainable, circular market. And it works! So let’s coordinate our efforts, share what we learn and make a difference together.”
– Stientje van Veldhoven, State Secretary for Infrastructure and Water Management, the Netherlands
Procurement has a key, and often overlooked role in this endeavour. The One Planet Network’s SPP Programme therefore mobilises support for SPP at all levels, involving a multitude of global actors. It supports countries and public authorities by demonstrating the value of SPP in addressing key environmental and social challenges, and working towards SPP implementation.
“Sustainable Public Procurement is the key measure for sustainable consumption and production transition. The Environmental Development Centre, China, has long been committed to the policy research and implementation of sustainable consumption and production, environmental labeling and climate change, thus accumulating rich experience in these areas. By teaming up with international partners like UNEP, ICLEI, RWS, we will steadily advance cooperation and exchange between countries and regions and stimulate SPP program globally. Exploring together, we will make every endeavor to achieve global sustainable development goals.”
– Dr. Ren Yong, Director General of EDC.
To achieve this, the Programme will connect SPP initiatives at global, regional, national and local level to replicate and scale-up impactful projects in collaboration.
For the upcoming period, the new leadership will focus on a range of key themes and sectors with high expected impact on SDG 12: construction and infrastructure, health, ICT, food, and circular procurement. Additional themes or sectors may be included at a later date.
For more information about the programme and how to join this global initiative, please contact:
SPP programme Coordination Desk: Despina Kouria, Programme consultant: despoina.kouria@un.org
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability: Mark Hidson, Global Director of ICLEI's Sustainable Procurement Centre: mark.hidson@iclei.org
Environmental Development Centre of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China (EDC): Xiaodan Zhang, Chief Advisor, and General Manager of China Environment United Certification Center (CEC): zhangxd@mepcec.com
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (Rijkswaterstaat) of the Netherlands: Cuno van Geet, Strategic Policy Advisor Circular Procurement: cuno.van.geet@rws.nl
United Nations Environment Programme: Steven Stone, Chief, Resources and Markets Branch, Economy Division
Visit the SPP programme's website for more info
Background
The One Planet Network’s Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) programme is a voluntary global multi-stakeholder partnership in which governments and nongovernmental, public and private organisations work together in a systematic way to accelerate the implementation of Sustainable Public Procurement. The SPP programme is one of the six programmes of the One Planet Network. It is a recognized SDG12 implementation mechanism, leading the shift to sustainable consumption and production by setting the agenda, facilitating and supporting implementation.
About the One Planet Network
Adopted in 2012 at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production (10YFP) is a global commitment to accelerate the shift towards sustainable consumption and production in both developed and developing countries. The One Planet network has formed to implement the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production, which supports the global shift to SCP and the achievement of SDG 12. It is a multi-stakeholder partnership for sustainable development, generating collective impact through its six programmes:
- Public Procurement
- Buildings and Construction
- Tourism
- Food Systems
- Consumer Information
- Lifestyles and Education
The One Plan for One Planet strategy (2018-2022) is at the heart of the One Planet network and is the basis for the Programme’s upcoming work.
www.oneplanetnetwork.org / Twitter: @10YFP_SPP
About ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability
ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability is a global network of more than 1,750 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Active in 100 countries, we influence sustainability policy and drive local action for low emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular development. Our Members and team of experts work together through peer exchange, partnerships and capacity building to create systemic change for urban sustainability.
Since 1996, ICLEI has been advocating for, promoting and demonstrating the value of sustainable, innovation, circular and strategic procurement. ICLEI provides professional information, advice, networking opportunities, training and tools to public authorities wanting to implement better, more cost effective procurement practices.
www.iclei.org / Twitter handle: @sppglobal and @ICLEI_Europe
www.sustainable-procurement.org
About the Environmental Development Centre of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China
The Environmental Development Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (EDC) is a comprehensive scientific research institution, providing technical support to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China. China Environmental United Certification Center (CEC) is affiliated to the EDC, and is mainly engaged in environment management policy research and innovation practice, standards development, certification and verification, as well as international cooperation, with a focus on sustainable production and consumption, environmental labelling, green supply chain management, green public procurement and climate change. Since EDC joined the SPP programme in 2013, CEC has been enagaged in the relevant work of the SPP programme and made remarkable achievements to promote SPP implementation in China. CEC is awarded CDM DOE by UNFCCC and acts as the secretariat of the International Green Purchasing Network (IGPN) and a board member of the Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN), closely cooperating with eco-labelling programs in 13 countries and regions around the world.
About the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (Rijkswaterstaat) of the Netherlands
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management is committed to improving quality of life, access and mobility in a clean, safe and sustainable environment. The Ministry strives to create an efficient network of roads, railways, waterways and airways, effective water management to protect against flooding, and improved air and water quality.
Rijkswaterstaat is the executive agency of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, responsible for the Dutch main road network, the main waterway network, the main water systems, and the environment in which they are embedded. On behalf of the Ministry, Rijkswaterstaat acts as an international front runner and promotor of circular procurement.
About United Nations Environment Programme
The United Nations Environment Programme is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Our mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
UN Environment Programme promotes Sustainable Public Procurement as a powerful instrument to accelerate the shift to more sustainable consumption and production practices. Through its various projects, UN Environment Programme has been supporting sustainable public procurement capacity and policies around the globe, and fosters regional cooperation and exchange of know how in Latin America and Asia Pacific. UN Environment Programme has supported the One Planet Network (10YFP) Sustainable Public Procurement programme since 2014. Currently, UN Environment Programme is developing and pilot-testing the methodology for reporting on SDG target 12.7.1 which relates to country progress in adopting and implementing sustainable public procurement.
www.unenvironment.org /Twitter handle: @UNEP
Value Chain Stage(s):
