Portugal’s most recent National strategy for GPP (ENCPE 2020) provides an important reference point that demonstrates the importance of Green Public Procurement (GPP) for the sustainability objectives of Portugal’s public administration.

In the next strategy, they plan to integrate guidelines and/or compensatory mechanisms which prevent the adoption of the “price” criteria as the primary criterion when choosing proposals; guarantee the inclusion of “circularity” in the definition of green criteria; and reconsider the “end-of-life” concept to enable new circular flows, such as reuse, restoration and renovation. In addition, as part of the next strategy, the Portuguese government plans to review their governance model in order to improve its effectiveness. Among other things, this will include creating a systematic review process to ensure that GPP Criteria Guides are updated with new or more recent green and circular criteria, in order to reflect technological developments and market trends.

   “The ENCPE was and is expected to continue being an engine for dissemination and innovation in terms of supply, demand and research, promoting environmentally responsible behaviours and products and services with reduced environmental impact throughout its life-cycle.” says José Paulino, Head of the Environmental Management and Qualification unit, Portuguese Environment Agency (APA).

Read the full interview with José Paulino here and explore more GPP news in the June issue of the GPP News Alert (link), an initiative of the European Commission, Directorate-General Environment.