International Green Purchasing Network – A Landscape of Practice to Achieve SCP Held to Active Collaborations

More than 20 participants of International Green Purchasing Network (IGPN) members from Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippine, China, China Hong Kong, and UNEP, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, TCO Development etc. attended the webinar. The webinar was hosted by the IGPN Secretariat, China Environmental United Certification Center – CEC. 

Mr. Chen Yanping, Chair of IGPN, presented his speech in the opening remarks, “Sustainable consumption and green procurement are important means to promote sustainable development, as well as to promote global carbon reduction and carbon neutrality. Weexpect to discuss in-depth and reach consensus on the outcomes of the case series, which will bring fresh and meaningful help to members and contribute to the implementation of green procurement in various countries”. Mr. Mark Hidson, vice chair of IGPN, gave his welcome remarks, “This will be the new phase of the IGPNwith more collaboration and efforts to promote the green purchasing in the day-to-day work of organizations”.

Key messages and findings of “Green Purchasing Network – A landscape of practice to achieve sustainable consumption and production” was discussed during the webinar. IGPN Members and representatives who contributed to the report shared their valuable cases in advocating green purchasing implementation. Meanwhile, the consensus was reached that the report should reflect the application of green purchasing in government, business and private sector, in order for green purchasing to meaningfully contribute to solving the environmental problems locally, nationally, and regionally. During the discussion, Mr. Farid Yaker, programme officer of the Economy Division of UNEP and IGPN advisory board member, made comments that “it is interesting and valuable, especially that the implementation of green purchasing expands from public to business and private sector”. In addition, he stressed the importance of “monitoring the performance of green purchasing in the private sector in the future”.

“Since holding the IGPN Secretariat in 2018, CEC consistently works on the IGPN operational codes and members’ collaboration activities”, states Ms. ZHANG Xiaodan, CEC general manager and IGPN advisory board member, in the summary speech. “This case collection report is one component of the IGPN Secretariat overall work plan, which will be released with refinement afterward. The next step will be to focus on the new environmental issues we face and efforts with members to promote the development of IGPN”.

Photo: krakenimages - Unsplash