Three Procura+ participants have released Innovative Procurement Plans for zero-emission transport in procurement, to be implemented in the coming years.

Oslo (Norway)’s zero-emissions plan covers procurement broadly; they have also released a guidance document outlining recommended environmental requirements that can be used in procurement that includes transport. Rotterdam (The Netherlands) has created plans for zero-emission transport in procurement of Construction Materials, and for Craftsmen Service Contracts. Copenhagen (Denmark)’s plans cover Supply Consolidation as a way to lessen emissions, and zero-emission transportation for Craft and Facility Management Services.

These plans have informed a new handbook, Procuring zero emission delivery of goods and services. By drawing on the three cities’ experiences, the handbook, produced as part of the BuyZET project, coordinated by ICLEI, assists local authorities to reduce the carbon footprint of their procurement activities. Furthermore, it sheds light on how cities can fight climate change not only through municipal policies, but also as consumers.

The public sector is a major consumer of goods and services. More strategic and sustainable planning regarding the procurement and transport of these can thus have sweeping effects on both reducing emissions and traffic. Taking these bold steps in transport procurement emphasises the lighthouse role that both Oslo and Rotterdam already hold as member cities of the Global Lead Cities Network (GLCN) on Sustainable Procurement

To download the handbook, click here.