In 2010 the City of Rotterdam tendered for an energy performance contract (EPC) covering 9 swimming pools, with payments based on actual energy savings delivered. The contract included the maintenance and operation of the facilities and was awarded through competitive dialogue. The Municipality aimed to reduce energy use, costs and CO2 emissions, to outsource maintenance and to improve swimming conditions. Comparisons between the baseline energy use and a preliminary analysis of potential improvements indicated a 10-year payback period. The award of the contract was based to a large extent on the energy savings offered by the bidders. The winning contractor guaranteed annual savings of 34%. The initial investments will be paid back through the energy savings made over the 10-year contract period. The contractor receives a financial bonus for energy savings of over 34% each year or penalties if they fall short. The successfully piloted use of an EPC has motivated Rotterdam to use this method as a template for similar procurement procedures in the future.

This particular procurement process was for a joint framework agreement of personal computers (PCs) and computer monitors involving nine Estonian entities. It was carried out by the Estonian Centre of Registers and Information Systems (RIK) in March/April 2012. The tender requirements included numerous sustainability demands, such as Energy Star 5.0 and TCO’5.0, and a portion of the award criteria was given to lower energy consumption in operating mode. PCs bought under this contract are estimated to generate energy savings of 20-30% compared to non-green product alternatives. RIK’s experiences have so far been positive, with the market being able to deliver the products required based on sustainability demands. Furthermore, the technical market dialogue in the pre-procurement phase has proven to be a good approach for avoiding any future problems in the tendering and award phases of the procurement process. From 2014, all ICT equipment for all national ministries and government agencies will be procured under a framework contract run by RIK.

Launched by the European Commission in December 2011, the new Action Plan will build on the valuable experience gained to date from its successor (the Environmental Technologies Action Plan) – especially in promoting eco-innovation’s development and uptake across Europe.

The EcoAP is a significant step forward for eco-innovation, moving the EU beyond green technologies and fostering a comprehensive range of eco-innovative processes, products and services. The ambitious plan will also focus on developing stronger and broader eco-innovation actions across and beyond Europe.

A requirement for a new administrative centre in Leuven, which will house 26 departments and 800 officials were identified. The Flemish Government uses a handbook on sustainable office buildings to evaluate larger contracts for the design and construction of office buildings.

The report contains a series of success stories on how public authorities have put socially responsible procurement into practice and raise awareness about global supply chain issues in numerous product lines.

The Government of Catalonia launched an energy performance contract for its Agri-food Laboratory buildings. The winning bidder guaranteed reductions in
energy consumption of 15%.

The Green Cleaning Program in the City of Reykjavík is a successful procurement
program that draws attention to the various benefits of green public procurement.
The aim of the program is to obtain environmentally sound cleaning services in
the city’s operations through the procurement process. This case study shows how Reykjavik took action and shares lessons learned.

Stockholm County Council’s (SLL) vision for introducing a green ambulance was born in 2005. A pilot study examined the technical solutions available and the extra costs of finding an eco-friendly solution. The procurement action faced a number of obstacles (ambulances are subject to numerous standards, rules and other requirements, and ordered in small numbers).

Rijkswaterstaat (RWS) is the Department of Public Works within the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment. Along with performance-based specifications, RWS uses two tools within their procurement processes to encourage sustainable working practices, the use of green materials, energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions. Bidders’ commitments to reducing CO 2 emissions throughout projects are also taken into account during the award phase. These methods aim to utilise the market’s creative capacities to achieve better quality, more innovative solutions.